THE LYIN’ KING (2 page)

Arms still crossed I looked out the passenger side window as if there were really a view for me to admire. "No, only when I almost lose my life and my job in the same night." I snapped back.

"Well that’s life baby girl. You can't let that ruin your night though." he stated with a chuckle. “You’re still here.” A moment of silence, as he moved into ongoing traffic. "What's your name beautiful?" I look over at him annoyed with all the nicknames he had given me within thirty seconds.

"Late!" I mumbled.

"Late huh? Well it's nice to meet you Late. My name is Arsen; but I go by Ace. I figure it's best you know who you riding with just in case I'm actually like a serial killer or something." he said laughing at his own jokes.

I do that too at times; I'm actually hilarious to me. I looked at him, as he looked straight ahead watching the road as if he was sure not to almost run over anyone else. "Serial killer, huh? That would make for an interesting night." I replied.

"I’m sure it would."

"Sage." I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that?" He replied with confusion.

"Sage, my name is Sage. Turn right here. I can walk the rest of the way."

"Sage, that's beautiful; but I am taking you all the way to work, just in case I decide to stalk you later?" he said laughing again.

"Hmmmm, if you insist." He continues to drive towards the front of my building.

We both sit there in silence. No music, no talking, just the sound of us inhaling and exhaling. He pulls up to the front door; I slowly pick up my purse and reach for the door. He pushes the lock button only unlocking his, jumping out and rushing to open my door. I tried to hide my smile from him.
“How cute.”
I thought. I hesitate before getting out the car. Not sure for what reason, but I couldn't help but get the feeling that I had known him a lot longer than ten minutes. He stood there with the door open and with his hand extended to assist me out of the car. I declined his offer; trying to act as though his gentlemen like gestures didn't faze me, when inside I was full of butterflies. How incredibly lame, I know. I stood up and in that moment I caught a glimpse of his hazel eyes. They were so sincere and yet so sad. I had a foster mom that always said a person's eyes were the windows to their soul. If that were true in that moment, I felt something familiar about his.

"Thank you for the ride Arsen."

"Ace, you can call me Ace." he said correcting me.

I cut my eyes over at him and reluctantly gave in to his demands. "Thank you for the ride Ace."

He smiled as if he felt like he made tremendous progress from our first moments of meeting each other.

"Sage, I can give you a ride home in the morning if you need it?"

"No thank you. I teach my son not to ride in the car with strangers. Imagine what he will think if he seen you coming to pick us up?"

"You have a son, huh?"

"Yeah, is that a problem?" I was hoping his response would give me a reason to not want to ever see him again. Like an “I told you they were all the same” moment.

"Of course not! I can tell you're a good mom."

Damnit universe! Why is he saying all the right things?!

"Well, since you won't let me get you anything to eat..." he continued, "Here, take this and get y’all some breakfast in the morning." He reached in his pocket pulling out his wallet, handing me two twenty dollar bills. I pushed his hand away.

"No thank you. I have those same two twenties in my purse, we are fine."

Inside I knew that my son would have to walk home because I didn't have bus fare and we had no food in the house because I didn't get paid until Friday. Call it pride, but I couldn't accept that from him. In my experience, men don't just give you rides and feed your kids for free.

"Take my number then. Just in case you need a ride or something."

"No thank you! I will be fine Ace, as long as you don't try to hit me with your car again."

We both looked at each other and smiled. He looked as if he wanted to say something else, I almost wanted him to.

"Williams!!!!" The sound of Shaun yelling my name interrupted whatever moment that I thought I was having with this stranger I had just met. Almost like a bubble burst over my head. "Williams! This is the third time this week you done got here late man!!!! You think you special or something?? What's going on? You out here cake baking when you need to be working!"

"Oh my goodness Shaun! I don't even...." Before I could finish my sentence Arsen took over.

"Sir, I am sorry she is late. She would have been on time, but I almost hit her with my car as she was crossing the street. Can you take it easy on her tonight? It's not her fault." His grammar got proper real quick. I thought to myself, Bravo Mr. Arsen, Bravo!!!! Shaun stands at the door with his arms crossed. "Yea well, tonight's the first night she got a legitimate excuse. Come on Williams get to work."

I looked at Arsen and gave him a silent thank you with my eyes. He smiled, showing all his gold teeth. Shaun turn around to head back inside, I ran up behind him to catch the door before it closed. I watched Arsen watch me as I locked the door behind me. He stood there as if he were making sure I was safely inside before he left. I wasn't sure if I was going to see him again, but it felt like we had already met many lifetimes before.

"Miss Williams....Miss Williams!" I could hear a stern voice struggling to say my name over and over again; each time a little clearer and angrier than the last. "Miss Williams!!!"

I started to come to, lifting my head up from the desk. My classmate next to me was nudging me with her elbow.

"Girl, get your phone." she said in a very low yet urgent voice.

"Miss Williams!"

I rub my eyes to clear my vision, swinging my locs out of the way, only to see my psychology professor standing over me with her faced extremely perturbed.

"Miss Williams, not only are you sleeping in my class, but you didn't bother to put your phone on silent. Both are extremely disturbing."

I straighten myself up, wiping the saliva from my mouth. I literally haven't slept in days. I couldn't afford to miss any more time in this class, so I borrowed an extra bus pass from Shelly at work last night. If only my professor knew what it took for me to even get here this morning.

"I apologize, Mrs. Lancaster. I didn't mean to disturb the class. I had a really long night last night." I responded sincerely.

"Yes, well I am not responsible for that. This is not high school Miss Williams; I do not babysit grown....."

My phone began to ring again, interrupting the professor in the middle of her sentence. Seeing how increasingly upset she was becoming, I quickly hit the silence button. She tapped her index finger on the corner of my desk, as to signal that as my last warning and walked away. I checked my phone to see who it was blowing me up. Five missed calls from my son’s elementary school. Professor Lancaster sat down at her desk and I immediately stood up as if we were playing the “Bop the Weasel” game; only she and I were the weasels.

"And where are you going now, Miss Williams?" she demanded extremely vexed.

"It’s my son’s school, Professor Lancaster. I have to call them back...it seems urgent."

I didn't care whether she objected or not, I was going to the hallway to return this call regardless. She waved me off as if to say whatever. I hurried towards the classroom door and into the hallway. I dialed the schools number only to get a busy signal. Frustrated and concerned at this point, I attempted to call out again. Another busy signal!!! I hit the end button and my phone began to ring. I quickly answered.

"Hello? Hello?"

"Is this Miss Williams, Thias's mother?" I could hear the school counselor on the other end.

"Yes, yes it is. Is my baby okay? I was in class; I didn't know the phone was ringing."

"Ummm, yes Miss Williams. Thias seems to have a bit of a red eye; did you notice that this morning before he went to school?"

"Yeah, just a little." I replied, not really sure. I don't remember noticing anything out of place this morning.

"I picked him up from daycare this morning when I got off. I noticed it was a little red but I figured it was because he was just waking up. Why? What's the problem?"

"The problem is....Miss Williams., is that it seems to be because of a black eye. Maybe someone is hitting him?" she asked in a very cautious manner, as if she knew she could possibly strike a nerve with her statement.

Suddenly, I felt extreme amounts of blood rushing to my head. Is this broad calling me to accuse me of beating my baby? Has she lost her damn mind?

"EXCUSE ME!?" I replied, transforming into Mama Bear mode. "Are you implying that my child is being abused? Where is my baby? Have you talked to him? He is old enough to tell you that he is very well taken care of and is far from living in a household of abuse. You know what? Don't worry about it! I am coming to get him right now."

"Miss. Williams, please calm down. I did not mean to offend you. It's standard that we ask these types of questions in this situation."

"Situation?” I interrupted.  “What type of situation? My son doesn’t get yelled at for Christ Sake! I will speak to you when I get there and I lay eyes on my son."

Not giving it a second thought I hung up the phone and rushed back into the classroom to grab my belongings.

"Miss Williams! Are you leaving?"

Taking in a deep breathe trying to calm myself before replying to this stuck up old hag, I turned around and calmly countered, "Yes Professor, I am leaving. My son needs me."

Turning to walk towards the door I hear, "His father can't get him? You can’t miss any more time in this class or I will have to fail you."

I paused in my tracks. Tuh! His father, huh? I forgot an old white woman couldn't even phantom a life where fathers don't exist. She continued, "Miss Williams, you don't want to fail this class, do you?"

I think to myself,
“Is that a trick question? Of course not lady!”
Instead I looked her in the eyes from across the room and said, "No Professor, I don't; but I am more afraid of failing my son. Also, CAN'T is not a word". I looked around at my childless classmates, who seem shocked at my response. They couldn't picture making these types of sacrifices. I pushed open the door and walked out, being sure to let it slam as loudly as possible behind me.

A million thoughts ran through my mind as I made my way out the school. I've always feared having someone tell me that I wasn’t a good mother and that Thias would be taken and sent to a foster home. I mean I know I don't have everything, but I take care of him the best I can. I definitely don’t abuse him. He is my life. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. Social Services took me from my mother while I was at school. Granted she really was unfit and bat crazy, but nonetheless that is how they do; I know firsthand. Oh my goodness, I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I get there and there is a social worker there trying to take my baby from me. I would flip, and possibly rag-tag her ass all the way back to her car.

I had been so heated that I didn’t realize I hadn’t put my jacket on until I opened the door and the wind gave me a reality check. I dropped my briefcase on the ground to position my jacket and scarf. Looking over at the bus stop I could tell it was pretty crowded, but I began to head over trying to keep my mind from over thinking. As I get closer to the benches, I could hear vague chatter of today's weather and who saw what reality show last night. The only thing on my mind was getting to Thias. I leaned on the glass of the bus stop shelter, staring off into a daze thinking of every worst possible outcome of today.

An older lady that was sitting inside on the bench tapped on the glass to get my attention. She motioned for me to come sit beside her. I was very hesitant at first, but the look in her eyes made me feel guilty about declining. I maneuver my way through the small crowd with a couple of excuse me’s and thank you’s, sitting down next to her. I softly leaned over and gave her a thank you. She smiled. Somehow I ended up back into my whirlwind thoughts of what ifs?
“What if they try to take him from me? What if they think I'm abusing him? What if they think I'm an unfit mother?”
What if! What if! What if! Suddenly, the sound of the older woman’s voice paused my erratic thinking.

"Whatever is on your mind baby, you have to give it to God." she said, tapping me on my knee cap.

"Oh, I'm fine ma’am." I replied. Not sure if I was trying to convince her or myself. She was right; I should give it to him. Only thing is, I'm used to fighting these battles myself. Many times I question his purpose for my life. It seems as though I was made for struggle and pain. She looked at me and smiled again; tapping my knee once more as if to reassure me that she knows what I am thinking. Luckily, the bus pulls up. I looked to her and offer my assistance with her bags. She hands me a couple grocery bags that were on the ground next to her. I wait for her to get on the bus first and I follow close behind. Sitting her bags in the seat next to her, I thanked her once again for offering a seat to her. I moved towards the back of the bus, hoping no one would follow me there. I just needed some space, to be alone in my own thoughts. I sat down close to the window, resting my head on the cold glass. Closing my eyes, I began to pray silently to myself.
“God....”I began, “You know I can't live without him, right? You know that I am trying my very best. Please don't let them try to take my boy from me. I'm giving it to you now, Amen.”
I slowly open my eyes as if I had just literally held a conversation with God himself.              

With every bump in the road and stop the bus made, my stomach grew tighter. As we pulled up to the stop in front of Thias’s school, I began to get lightheaded. I stood up, pinching the top of my nose with my index finger and thumb, squeezing my eyes together; trying to shake off the dizziness. I open my eyes only to find the old woman staring at me. She looked me in my eyes and nodded her head. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant but I gave her a nod back; turned around and reached for my briefcase and headed towards the exit. I got off the bus and stood there, scared to move. Afraid of what I might be walking into. Inhaling deeply, I mustered up some courage and began walking towards the building. Palms sweaty and head still a little light, I push the bell for the front desk to buzz me in. Pulling on the door, I could feel my breathing become more and more heavy. God please....just please. I walk up to the front desk secretary, she had her head down. I placed my briefcase on the counter and began, "Excuse me, I am Thias Williams mother, I need to see him." She looks up at me as if I had spoken a different language than what she understands.

"Thias is in the nurse's office with the school counselor. If you have a seat, I can call her up to escort you back." "Ok sure that's fine."

I haven't eaten all morning but for some strange reason now, I felt like something was about to come up. I sat down in the chair trying to keep my composure. My right leg began to shake uncontrollably, as it does when I am extremely nervous. Moments later I hear the sound of heels clacking down the hallway; like whoever was wearing them was on an absolute mission to get to where they were going.

"Miss Williams?” Man, if I hear my name one more time today. "Miss Williams?” I lean forward to get a better view of who it was behind the desk calling my name.

"Yes" I replied respectfully, trying to keep a cool head and remain reasonable.

"Come on back please." The voice was similar to the one on the phone, so I could only assume that this was the school's counselor. I quickly pick up my briefcase and follow her back. We walk into the nurse's office and Thias runs up to me and gives me the biggest hug. All of a sudden, seeing him made my heart so much lighter.

"Hey baby, you alright? What's going on? Let mommy look at your eye."

I reach to pull his eyelid up to get a better view when I hear, "Miss Williams, I wouldn't make direct contact with his eye if I were you."

I turned my head, placing my hand on my hip ready to bark on this lady once more.

"And why the hell not? He is my baby." I could have left the hell part out, but honestly this counselor was long overdue for a tongue lashing. "No offense, Miss Williams", she continued, "Thias has the pink eye and it's very contagious."

"The pink eye?" I repeated with a sigh of relief. I looked at him, and then back at her.

"Ma’am, I basically just told my teacher to kiss my ass, because you called me insinuating that my child is being abused; all for me to get here and you tell me it's the pink eye? I seriously thought you all were up here trying to take my baby from me."

"Miss Williams, I do apologize. I didn't mean to offend you, but there are precautionary measures that we have to take. The ratio of children attending this school that is actually being abused is one out of nine. If you could just understand that my position is not at all easy." The sincerity in her voice made me feel extremely out of place for even wanting to whoop her ass when I got there. She has a job to do, true indeed; and at least I can tell she cares.

"You know you're right, I apologize. You're just doing your job." That was my weak attempt at trying to take back all the cursing I did to her.

"Yes mam Miss Williams. On another note, Thias will not be able to attend school or daycare for at least 72 hours. With a couple days of eye drops, it should clear up. As you can imagine, something contagious like that we can't allow the other children to get infected.”

"Yes I understand." I agreed. A little frustrated because I definitely wouldn't be able to go to class for the next couple days while he's out of school, or work for that matter. I couldn't send him to daycare like that. I definitely cannot afford any time off from work. Not that Shaun would willingly give it to me anyway. I kneeled down beside Thias and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"It looks like we are going to get to stay home for the next couple nights, huh Prince? His eyes lit up with excitement.

"Really mama?!!" he exclaimed. "All I had to do was get sick and now we can stay home?" Everyone in the room started laughing.

"Yea well, don't think about staying sick, Pumpkin. Mama still has to work."

I turned to the nurse and the school counselor, "Thank y'all, I really appreciate your help."

"No problem Miss Williams. We will see you Monday Thias. Enjoy this time off with your mom." she said smiling and patting him on the head. I began putting on Thias jacket and walking toward the side exit by the nurse office.