His Last Name (4 page)

I felt relieved. I didn't get any more money, but DeCarious lost. It was over, and I was ready to go home when DeCarious started sobbing loudly. I wanted the judge to hit his gavel on something to officially end the case, but instead he asked DeCarious if he was okay.

“No, judge, I'm not okay. I want to beg the court not to think of my money right now, but to think of an innocent child. I don't know if you have any children.”

“I do.”

“So you should understand. My daughter, Asia, has never had a stable home. Her mother moves all around. Philadelphia, Miami, and Atlanta. She has no sense of stability. She dates criminals, drug dealers, and she's using drugs. I just want the opportunity to raise my daughter. I want to give her a schedule and a home-cooked meal every night. I've already enrolled her in a pre-K at a private school that she loves. My daughter shouldn't have to catch a plane and be moved all around the country. She shouldn't be being burned. It wasn't an accident. Please review the facts. Please. I'm begging the court to make the right decision.”

“What? Don't listen to him, Your Honor. You have already reached your decision!” I shouted.

The judge took off his glasses, and it almost looked like a tear was falling down his face. I could not believe that he fell for that dramatic act.

“Ma'am, just give me a few moments. Sir, you have made some valid points. Let me look at the case once more.”

The judge returned again. This time, his position was a lot more stern.

“I have examined the claims today, and the minor child has always been in the custody of her mother. I didn't see any reason to modify that. However, after further review, I have changed my decision. Ms. Sheppard, you don't have a job and you are educated, which means you should be able to watch your daughter without the child being injured. I have been provided with evidence that your establishment was closed and that you associated with criminals. I also think it is unfair to transport a minor child over seven hundred miles every couple of weeks. It is this court's opinion that children should be in a stable, loving home. Ms. Sheppard, I do not feel like you are stable at this time. I'm going to award temporary custody to Mr. Simmons for one hundred and eighty days. You, Ms. Sheppard, will be required to take parenting classes, find a job to prove to the court that you are not using your child for monetary gain, and undergo drug testing.”

“But, Your Honor. When will I see my daughter? I live in another state.”

“Again, this order is temporary. You can have one supervised visit every other weekend. The child is not to leave the state of Georgia until this case comes back to me.”

“But, Your Honor, I can't afford to fly back and forth.”

“Well, ma'am, if your child means that much to you, you won't leave the state, will you? You have six months to get yourself together. Put this on my October calendar. I will bring the case back without prejudice. We will review the case again at that time. This order is effective immediately. Also, because the child is in the custody of the parent paying support, support is now terminated.”

I was in total shock. He had stripped me of my parental rights, and I could only have visits with my daughter for six hours on every other Saturday.

I walked out of the courtroom angry, confused, and disappointed. I ran over to Asia and gave her a kiss. I told her that I loved her and that I would see her soon. I heard DeCarious call my name, but there was nothing to discuss. I knew I had to get out of that building or I would threaten, hit, or kill someone and be put in jail. I couldn't afford that.

The next day, I couldn't get out of my hotel bed. How had this happened to me? I thought I was going to get more child support. Instead, I lost my child and my source of income. I had to figure out a way to get them both back.

C
HAPTER
6

Adrienne

T
he first three days after the court hearing, I kept asking myself “Why?” Why would the judge rule against me? Why would he believe DeCarious over me? Why wouldn't DeCarious just admit that I was an excellent mom and a good person? I had already booked my flight back to Philly, and I was sickened that I would not be taking my daughter with me. I had no family in Atlanta, and in order to get my life together and get stable, I had to go home.

Before I left, I was going to make sure I saw Malaysia. I packed up my stuff and checked out of the hotel. From the expressway, I dialed DeCarious.

“DeCarious, I'm about to leave and I want to come and see Asia before I go. My flight leaves at five.” It took a lot for me to call and ask his permission to visit with my own daughter.

“When I wanted to talk yesterday, you didn't want to talk.”

“You know what you pulled yesterday wasn't right, and I had to get out of there.”

“Well, today is not good for us. We're taking Asia to Disney World and we won't be back until next week.”

“Next week? I'm leaving today.”

“We're already on the road. We're taking a family vacation.”

I ignored his asinine family vacation comment, asked him how far he was, and if it was possible for him to turn around.

“No, we already left. You should have called earlier.”

“You shouldn't have made up lies in court and separated your daughter from her mother.”

“Well, you should have been a better mother.”

Instantly, I snapped back, “Fuck you. I'm going to appeal this order. I'm a great mother.”

“Adrienne, I wanted to work things out with you and split custody, but you were being greedy and look what it got you.”

“If you wanted to split custody, you still could.”

“I can't now because my attorney said that we can't go against the order. I'm listening to the judge. I'm sorry, but Malaysia needs to be in a stable home. And you need to find a job and get yourself together. I don't know what else to tell you.”

I paused for a moment and gathered my thoughts. I was so angry and thankful that he wasn't home, because if he was, I would have driven to his house and killed him . . . which would have proved his allegations that I was unfit and unstable.

“DeCarious, you are going to regret that you did this shit to me. I'm my daughter's family, not you or your stupid-ass wife.” Before he could utter one dumb remark, I ended the call.

I flew back to Philadelphia, saddened that I left my daughter behind. Suddenly, my anger turned into fear. I had an immediate reality check about my financial situation. No child meant no support. I started calculating my bills. I needed at the very least five thousand a month just to cover the basics. I wasn't even sure if he was going to give me my last child support payment that was scheduled for Thursday.

When Thursday came, I was petrified. I checked my account and the available balance was four hundred dollars. If my child support check didn't go through, I didn't know how I would pay my bills.

At one a.m., there was nothing. At 4:55 a.m., I refreshed and saw that the money was there. I took a deep sigh of relief and thanked God. I paid all my bills and decided I had to make some changes. When I went in front of that judge again in six months, I was going to be ready.

I called a few attorneys, and I settled on one who took the time to advise me on exactly what I needed to do. He recommended that I schedule parenting classes, get a job, and contact him once I had done both. He also charged five thousand dollars. Once we met in person and I paid his fee, he would attach himself to my case. Five thousand dollars wasn't a lot of money to get my daughter back, but I didn't have it at this time.

I knew I had to get it somehow. To save money, I decided I was going to move in with my mother, rent out my house, and go back to work. If I got with the right temp agency, I could work sixteen hours a day and have enough to pay my bills and hire an attorney. I contacted an agency and set up an interview. If everything worked out right, I could be working by the weekend.

The Nursing Tech employment agency was located on the third floor of an office building right outside of Philadelphia. I walked in and filled out an application. I had a seat and waited for my name to be called. The receptionist scanned my application and asked me a few questions.

“Have you worked for this agency before?” she questioned me.

“No.”

“Okay, would you be interested in private residences or nursing homes?”

“I would prefer a private residence.” I didn't want to tell her how much I hated nursing homes, but I had to do what I had to.

“I just need your license number. It's in Pennsylvania, correct?”

“Yes.” I gave it to her. She typed it in, and then asked me to repeat my name and my number again.

“Okay, is all your information correct?” she asked, turning the computer screen to face me.

“Yes, that's it.”

“You haven't practiced in a few years. Are you aware that your license is suspended?”

“It is?”

“Did you forget to renew it?”

“Well, my ex-husband and I moved around a lot with his job. Can't I just renew it online?”

“If it hadn't expired, yes. But because it did, you have to take the boards over.”

“I do?” I sighed hopelessly.

“Yes. I need people immediately. I would say to take a refresher course and go take the test again. Give me a call afterwards.”

The nursing state boards weren't for another three weeks, which meant I couldn't make any moves until then. In the meantime, I moved in with my mom and put all my furniture into storage, then I put my house on Craigslist for rent. In my neighborhood, everything was renting for fifteen hundred dollars. I listed mine at twelve hundred. I wanted thirty-six hundred to move in. That would cover the first month, security, and last month's rent.

Being separated from my daughter hurt, and living with my mom at thirty-two years old was worse than living with her as a teenager. She was annoying and asked too many questions. She complained about me not cleaning my room and leaving her lights on. She came in my room daily and asked me if I was asleep. If I was sleeping, then I wasn't anymore because she had awakened me.

“Are you up?”

“What's up?”

“I have a letter here for you. It is from someone in Florida.” I knew she already looked at the return address on the envelope. “Who's writing you from Florida?” she asked, peering over my shoulder.

“I don't know.” I opened the tan manila envelope to see my ex, Ian's, name.

“How nice, a letter from that convict boyfriend of yours.”

“Ex-boyfriend, Mom.”

Ian had tried to reach out to me many times before. I never opened any of his letters and usually wrote “RETURN TO SENDER” on the envelope. Being slick, he sent the letter to his stepmother, who repackaged and sent it to me. It read:

I balled up his letter and chuckled out loud. Don't nobody want that bullshit.

“What did he want?” my mother asked.

“Forgiveness, and for me to sell his script. Neither one is going to happen.”

My mother left my room, and I became angry. Ian should just leave me the hell alone. Getting his letter was a reminder of how much in a shambles my life was. I hated living with my mom, missed my daughter, and I didn't have a man in my life. I needed a huge change. I called DeCarious and blocked my number. I was shocked that his bitch-ass wife answered the phone. She said, “Hello?” a few times, but I couldn't bear to ask another woman's consent to talk to my child. I was happy I had blocked my number. I hung up and decided to just study for my boards. Once I passed that test, I knew everything would be back to normal. I was going to get my baby and bring her home.

C
HAPTER
7

Monique

T
he day had finally arrived and my stomach was in knots. I was seated in the third row in Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, at the NBA Draft. Everything around me made me feel extremely nervous—the crowd, the noise, the cameras flashing. I sat next to Carl and grabbed onto his shoulder as each name was called. They were announcing the fourth pick. I heard the commissioner say, “The Charlotte Hornets select guard from Temple University . . .” I shouted, “Thank you, Lord! Thank you!” I clasped my hands together in praise before he completed his sentence. I knew the next two words would be “Kadir Hall.” He was the only first round draft pick from Temple. By the time I finished praying and stood up, Kadir was proudly walking across the stage putting on his teal and purple Charlotte Hornets hat. He shook the commissioner's hand and smiled for the cameras. My son had just become an instant millionaire. My phone immediately chimed with dozens of congratulatory texts and phone calls. I couldn't respond because I was too excited and full of joy. Carl brought me into his arms, and we both began crying and hugging each other. Everything I worked for had paid off. My boy did it. He was a professional basketball player.

Kadir walked off the stage and was bombarded by ESPN and other networks. He grabbed my arms as the reporters asked him questions. The first reporter asked him how he felt. I was proud that I raised a young man who could handle himself and speak articulately. But then, I heard his response: “My parents were always there for me and especially this man right here. I am who I am because of him and my faith.” He pulled Carl closer to him and continued speaking. “He is the one who held our family together. He worked two jobs so I could be raised right.” Then he must have seen the shocked expression on my face. Yes, it was true that Carl had paid the bills, but I was at every game. “Oh, and my mom, too! She is my rock and sacrificed her life to get me here.” He then took his hat off his head and placed it on mine.
That is more like it
, I thought as I smiled for all the cameras and prayed again.

After the official draft, there was a party at the 40/40 Club. The club was beautiful and crowded with reporters, agents, players, fans, and celebrities. We were able to get right in, there was no waiting in line. It was a little overwhelming when I realized that people knew who Kadir was already. They were coming up to him, shaking his hand, and asking him for pictures and autographs. A group of young girls in short dresses that made me blush, with weaves that touched their asses, followed us to our table and were salivating all over my baby. One out of the pack was very bold. She came over and asked Kadir if I was his girlfriend. My son's eyes were fixated on the girl's curves.

“No, that's my mom.” She waved at me then asked to take a picture with him. He took the picture and then said, “Oh, can I get a dance?”

“Sure.” He told the girls he would be right with them, and then whispered to Carl, “They might want a drink or something, Dad. I need some money.” Carl pulled out a couple hundred dollars and slipped the bills into Kadir's hand.

“Thanks. Soon, I'm going to be giving
you
money.”

“Don't worry about it, son. Have fun. We will be over here.”

“Don't go off anywhere with those girls. They just see dollar signs, Kadir,” I cautioned.

“That. And this body. And my smile. I'll be back,” Kadir said with a big grin.

I was hesitant about letting my son leave with a flock of girls, but Carl held me back.

“Relax, Monique. Let Ka have some fun.”

“What if they try to take him somewhere?'

“He won't go. He's smart, and he knows better. He's just dancing. Look at him.”

I looked over and saw my son in the middle of a circle of girls. “Okay, if you say so. I need a cigarette.”

On my way to smoke, I ran into Kadir's agent, Eric Turner. He was a young black agent with the Daniel Ready Agency. Kadir wanted an agent who he could relate to, but who would also represent him well. Other agents had fancier presentations, but we chose Eric because he knew exactly who Kadir was and who he wanted to be. He came over to me and gave me a big, warm hug. I think he was more excited than I was.

“I told you we were going top ten.”

“You did.”

“Now we have to get Kadir ready for North Carolina. He leaves in the morning. He needs to head back to the hotel and be ready for his eight o'clock flight. The Hornets jet is flying us down to visit and introduce him to the GM and coaching staff. Then, once he signs tomorrow, they should have his first check wired into his account in a few weeks.”

“That soon? That's great! So, is this a good team?”

“Yeah, they really don't have anyone like Kadir, so he will be a star. You can start looking for a house and get him settled. It's important that he stays focused and has a breakout season.”

“Of course. He'll be ready. I'll let him have a little fun, then he'll be out of here no later than twelve.”

“Good. See you in the morning.” Eric walked off to talk to some of his other clients.

I walked out of the club and up the block to have a cigarette. With Kadir dancing, no one could tell me I shouldn't be smoking. It was a bad habit that I'd stopped, but when I was nervous I had to have a few. And I was nervous about all of this. Who knew that my decision to raise a little boy on my own at sixteen would lead to this?

My phone was still ringing, and I had a bunch of unanswered messages. I scrolled through my texts. Some of the numbers didn't have names, and I didn't know who they were. The texts ranged from “Congrats!” to asking Kadir to call them. Then my phone rang again. It was my bestie, CeCe.

“Hey, best friend! God is good!” she said.

I responded, “Yes, he is!”

“Where is my nephew? I want to tell him how proud I am of him.”

“We're at a party. He is signing autographs already. They have Ka flying on a private jet to North Carolina to meet the team and everything.”

“Really? That is so nice! This is so wonderful.”

“It is. I can't believe it. I knew it was coming, but it is finally here.”

“Don't get yourself all worked up. Tell Ka-Ka we love him, and that his cousin Faheem and I have lost our voice screaming!”

“I will. Hold on, someone is calling.” I looked down at the screen. It was my mother. Our relationship had been strained since I was a teenager, and she never called me. I pushed the red decline button.

“That was my mom. I bet she wants to talk to me now. Everyone wants to talk. And guess what? Now I don't have anything to say.”

“That's still your mom, Monique.”

“I'll talk to her when I'm ready, because today is not the day.” I laughed and told CeCe I would call her back. I put out my cigarette and walked back into the club to join Carl at the table. Kadir was dancing with another group of women.

“I spoke with Eric. He said that the team is sending for Kadir in the morning and he will get his first check in a few weeks.”

“I was going to go to work tomorrow.”

“Carl, you don't have to work anymore. Your son is rich.”

“I don't know if I should retire just yet. We still have the mortgage.”

“Kadir is going to pay that house off. Me and him already talked about everything we going to do, and who we're going to help.”

“But I'm not living off of my son. It's his money.”

“Well, forget about that souped-up Cadillac Escalade you always wanted. Ka said he was going to surprise you with it, but I'll tell him never mind. I'll tell him that you would rather drive your Hyundai.”

“No, no. I'll take a new truck, but I want him to know his money is his, not ours.”

“Hmm, it is just as much my money as his. He's been telling us he is going to take care of us since the sixth grade, and I'm damn sure going to take my son up on his offer.”

“Let me think about it. Right now, let's get Kadir back to the hotel.”