Chapter 9: RAYA - A Street King's Widow

A month had gone by since the reading of the will, and I still hadn’t done my end of the bargain. I wasn’t afraid to; I just thought the shit was stupid to begin with. Ryleigh looked just like Jaharee. She was a King even though she didn’t carry the last name. I knew that in order to receive the money that I needed to get out of this damn condo, I was going to have to put my feelings to the side and take my daughter to get the test done. I had found a house not far from Averie. Since I would be getting a nice check, I thought it was best for me to put my daughter in a nice neighborhood with a good school system. Especially if she was going to be close to her siblings.

For the last month, I had ignored everyone’s calls except Kam’s. She was the only one that was supportive, but even she would tell me to get the shit over with. Everybody was acting like I didn’t know what the fuck I had to do. I just wasn’t moving when they wanted me to. Shameek would occasionally call with the threats because he wanted to spend time with Ryleigh, but I needed to handle business first. He wasn’t slick. I knew he was trying to spend time with her so he could take her to go see that bitch. I’ll die and go to hell before I let my daughter around Kyenna. Rah was dead, and if they wanted to see her, they would have to go through me. Even then, I was going to do the picking up and dropping off just to make sure she was only with Shameek or Ms. Lorraine them.

As far as I was concerned, Kyenna had enough. The bitch wasn’t about to get my daughter too. Shit, she got the husband, the money, the mansion, Royal Flush, and the cars. Bitch should’ve had her own child from his ass. Kyenna looked like the type of woman that was pretty as fuck, but her womb was trash as fuck. Knowing her, she couldn’t have kids. I smiled at that fact. She didn’t deserve to carry any King children. She was nothing more than a step mammy. Lloyd’s number flashed across my phone, and I rolled my eyes.

“What?” I answered with an attitude.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Newsome. I’ll make this brief.”

“I already know what you want.”

“I’ve scheduled Ryleigh’s DNA appointment for tomorrow morning at nine.”

“And who told you to do that?”

“Mr. King,” he replied.

“Which one? Because Rah is dead and I’m sure the nigga is not speaking from the damn grave.”

“Shameek King.”

“Shameek,” I mocked. “He had no say in this matter, so I move when and how I want.”

“Ms. Newsome, if you fail to appear at this last appointment, then the estate will proceed according to the terms of the will.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that distributions will be given back to the estate, which belongs to Mrs. King.”

“I keep telling y’all this baby is his. The fuck is the problem?”

“And once the results confirm that, the matter will be closed.”

I hated how calm this nigga talked. The shit got on my nerves.

“I’ll be there,” I said, hanging up in his face.

Kam and I had decided to have a movie night so I could vent and get some drinks in me before I had to go and humiliate my daughter by getting her fucking mouth swabbed to prove that Kyenna nigga was digging in this pussy.

“So, you ready for tomorrow?” Kam asked as we handed Ryleigh her plate of Chinese food.

“It’s disrespectful as fuck, Kam, and you know it.”

“I don’t think it is. I think you waiting this long is making them feel like something is not adding up. As your friend, I know Ryleigh is a King. What’s wrong with proving it?”

I sucked my teeth because she was taking their side.

“You taking their side.”

“I’m taking the side that makes sense, Raya.”

“I just don’t like Kyenna thinking she won.”

Kam looked at me crazy. “Won what?”

“The bitch got everything,” I said, throwing my hands up.

“You really think that woman sitting around worried about you?”

“She should be.”

“Girllll,” Kam said, pouring herself a shot.

“I’m serious.”

“That woman is running Royal Flush and from the sound of it, she’s running that bitch like a nigga.”

I waved her off.

“She’s still helping raise his kids. Except for Ryleigh.”

“And she won’t raise mine.”

“What I’m saying is, where does she have time to compete with you?”

Her words rubbed me the wrong way because, deep down, I couldn’t even answer her ass.

“I just don’t like the bitch, okay?”

“And that’s your right. But stop making everything about her.”

“I don’t make everything about her.”

“Yes, the fuck you do. Take your baby to that appointment and move on with your life. If all that money goes back to Kyenna, you can kiss your lifestyle and that house you’re trying to get goodbye.”

The next morning, I threw on the first decent outfit I could find and got Ryleigh dressed. I had overslept just a little and was doing the best I could. After the long talk and shots Kam and I had last night, I crashed on the sofa and forgot to set my alarm. Lloyd had already called when I was grabbing the keys to get out the door. We pulled up to the clinic forty minutes late. I found a parking spot and grabbed Ryleigh’s hand and headed inside.

“Hi, I’m here for a DNA appointment for Ryleigh Newsome.”

“Have a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.”

I looked around for an empty chair. That’s when I noticed Shameek and Ms. Lorraine. Hell, Jaharee had even brought her ass with them.

“Damn,” I mumbled.

Shameek got up from his chair.

“Took you long enough,” he said.

“I said I would be here, and here I am.”

Ms. Lorraine got up and walked towards us.

“Hey, baby. Come here,” she said, opening her arms for Ryleigh.

Ryleigh was such a traitor. She wasted no time running into her grandma’s arms.

“Grandma miss you. You’ve gotten so big since I last saw you.”

“I miss you,” Ryleigh said, hugging her.

“Can we get this shit over with?” I asked, irritated.

“Ryleigh Newsome,” the nurse called out.

“Come on, Ryleigh.” I held my hand out.

They had already submitted Rah’s DNA, so this was going to be quick. We followed the nurse to a room where she explained the process. She swabbed both of us. When I saw her pull a needle out, I was confused.

“What are you doing?”

“We were told to do a blood sample as well. The Kings don’t want the swabs to get switched some way.”

“You’re kidding,” I laughed.

“Just doing my job.”

She cleaned Ryleigh’s arm as she talked sweet to her and told her it was going to be a little pinch. Watching my daughter’s blood go through the tube pissed me off. They had taken the shit too far.

“Results will be back in a couple of days. They will come to your email and Mr. King’s lawyer’s email.”

“Just fucking great,” I said.

“You were so brave. I have some stickers and a lollipop for you.”

“Thank you,” Ryleigh said.

As we walked back to the lobby, I caught Shameek watching us. He looked down at the little bandage on Ryleigh’s arm before picking her up.

“Did they hurt the princess?” he asked.

“I ain’t cry.”

“That’s my girl.” He kissed her cheek.

I opened my mouth to tell him to put my child down, but she belonged to both of our worlds.

“The test will be back in a few days. When it comes back, I need my niece to come be wit’ her family for a few days.”

“For her to be in that bitch face. Nah, we can discuss visitation.”

Shameek laughed, “Kyenna should be the least of yo’ worries. You kno’ how I get ‘bout my family. Now, like I said, I’ll see you in a few days.”

Shameek kissed Ryleigh and put her down.

“See you in a few days.” He patted my shoulder.