Victoria Greene

Father Figure

I stood behind my slightly open bedroom door eavesdropping on the conversation between my father and Mr. Luciano. After he came to my house to see Joseph my father insisted that they have a conversation man to man. I found out that he had been in Alabama for two days and that it was my cousin June who informed him that I gave birth to a boy. Everyone else had moved the dinner party to my aunt's house which was down the street. I opened the door slightly to hear what they were saying.

"What are your plans for my daughter?". I heard my father ask.

"I'll provide for her and the baby". Mr. Luciano answered.

"So I'm guessing you don't plan to take responsibility and legitimize your son". My father said and my heart rate increased waiting for his answer. I hoped he had changed his mind, he had already traveled all the way to the south to see the baby. I watched as he froze and took a sip of his water and at that moment I knew my hopes had been futile.

"I'll look after them very well. I uh I already bought a house for Victoria and the baby". He said dodging the question. My son's soft wails interrupted my eavesdropping and I turned around to get him from his crib.

"Can I hold him". I heard a deep voice say behind me. I turned around and saw Mr. Luciano standing at the door, I had not talked to him in over seven months. I walked towards him and slowly gave him the baby who stopped crying as soon as he was in his father's arms.

"He's beautiful". He said carefully cradling our son.

"What's his name?". He asked and I opened my mouth to reply.

"Joseph Francis Greene". My father said interrupting me as he walked into the room.

"You gave him ya last name?". He asked looking at me.

"Well, you haven't legitimized him". My father said.

"I have little respect for a man who runs away from his responsibilities". My father said glaring at Mr. Luciano.

"Daddy". I whispered trying to cut the tension.

"And I especially have no respect for a man who puts his hands on a woman". He said and I gasped wondering how he knew.

"Daddy". I said with tears falling down my face.

"I'll see ya tomorrow". Mr. Luciano said kissing Joseph's forehead before handing him over to me.

"My hotel room number". He said giving me a card before leaving.

"And he runs away like the f*cking coward that he is". My father said as Mr. Luciano walked out.

"Daddy please". I cried

"You really want your son to be raised by a man who beats you". He said.

"It was only once". I screamed and Joseph started crying.

"Only once?, that's how it starts Vicky and you are smart enough to know that". My father said.

"He's Joseph's father". I said.

"That little boy does not need a man like that as a father figure". My father said and I shook.

"You don't know him as I do". I said and my father scoffed.

"He's not perfect but he is a good man and I love him. He's going to look after us". I said rocking my son.

"If you want to continue with whatever you have with that man then you better get of my house". My father said and I felt like my heart dropped to my stomach.

"Fine,I will call him and he will come and get us". I said.

"Victoria baby no". My grandmother said coming into the room. I put my son in his crib and took out my suitcase.

"Victoria think about this takin a day ole baby across the country". My grandmother continued as I began packing.

"Ya gonna regret this". She said as I finished packing.

"No, let leave her family for some white boy. Let her be stupid". My father said. I picked up the receiver and called Charles' hotel room.

"Come get us". I said when he picked up.

"On my way". He said gruffly.

"If you leave with that boy, never show your face in my house". My father said and I nodded. Charles' car arrived a few minutes later and his driver got out to get my suitcases.

"Vicky, leave the baby behind, ya can't take him into an unstable environment". She said worriedly

"Nana Joseph has his mother and father. We will give him more than a stable environment". I said.

"Goodbye nana". I said hugging my grandmother before she gave Joseph a kiss. I walked out and gave Mr. Luciano our son before I got into the vehicle and the driver closed the door. I waved at my heartbroken grandmother as the car pulled away. It would be the last time I ever saw my grandmother alive.