Dahlia

Court House Blues

While Dahlia and Kalmia were on campus, Cortez spent his day off with his friends playing Playstation at their house. Cortez yelled at the T.V. “Pass the ball man!” He and Johnny were playing basketball on the video game and Dez and Le Le were drinking beers and watching. Cortez had just finished telling them about the situation with Anita. It was the first time he had mentioned it to any of his friends.. “Aight man, listen.” Johnny said seriously. “I personally think that Anita is sexy as hell.” “I don’t even know why you left her.” “Dahlia really isn’t your type man.” “What do you mean?” Cortez asked curtly. “Don’t get all defensive bruh.” Johnny said matter of factly. “I was just saying, you and Dahlia are polar opposites.” “You don’t look like you belong together.” “I say go be with Anita.” Le Le laughed at him. “Quit hatin man, you just mad because you could never get a woman like Dahlia.” Johnny rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. “Tez, listen to me.” Le Le said. “You just need to keep on doing what you’re doing.” “Dahlia’s a good girl.” Cortez went on playing the game. “I know she is.” “She doesn’t deserve this though.” “All I was trying to do was show her what a real family looks like.”  “I just wonder why Anita would wait until she heard I was getting married to do this.” “It’s mad suspect.” Le Le said. Johnny scoffed. “Well maybe she was just hurt man.” “You know how females get.” “All emotional and stuff.” “Plus, how would you feel if someone you was really feelin just said that they were getting married.” “You was wit her for like 6 years.” “I understand that.” “But something just isn’t right.” Dez came back in from the kitchen and sat next to Cortez. “I don’t know man.” Dez said. “Anita been crazy since Roosevelt man, you was just too in love to see it.” “But you never know what could have happened.” “Did she ever tell you about the baby?” Cortez said “Well, yeah,” “When I first got together with Dahlia she told me.” “I bumped into her at the bodega.” “She told me that she’d had a son and his name was Demetrius.” “I mean, the timing is very possible but you would think she would mention something as important as me being her child’s father..”  

The four friends speculated about Anita a little while longer before forgetting about the topic and just having some fun. About 15 minutes later Buckey came walking through the door. “YYYYYYEEEEEERRRRRRRROOOOO!” He said loudly to the guys. They replied the same and he took a sit on the couch next to Dez. “Yo Tez?” Buckey asked. “What you think about Kal?” “What do you mean?” Cortez said, still focused on his game. “I kinda like her man.” “I just saw her with Dee on campus and I can’t stop thinkin’ about her.” Cortez rolled his eyes at his brother and continued playing the game. “Boy, if you not serious about her stay away.” “She’s been through a lot of s**t and she ain’t no run of the mill thot.” “I don’t know man, its just something about her.” Buckey said. “She’s beautiful, not a baddie.” “When I get around her I can’t even talk, and ya’ll know me, I never have a problem talking.” Dez said “Wait a minute.” “Who the hell is Kalmia?” Cortez said “Oh, that’s Dahlia’s cousin.” “She showed up a while ago from Virgnia cause s**t is wild down there.” “So she’s gonna be staying with us for a while.” “You know, until she gets on her feet.” 

Johnny laughed. “Buck, you headed over to the dark side now too huh?” “The f**k is that supposed to mean?” Dez said. “You always sayin some funny s**t about Dahlia and she ain't never did nothin’ to you.” “ “I’ve heard some things about you that make me wonder.” Johnny shrugged his shoulders. “I said what I said.” “Yo dog,” Le Le said. “If you gonna be talking like that I’m getting outta here.” “That ain’t cool.” Dez started toward the door. “I’m not even given him another chance man.” “f**k that, I’m out.” “Nah Dez,” Cortez stood up. “You ain’t gotta leave man.” “Come on let's just finish the game.” Dez went to the door. “Nah, I’m good.” “I’ll catch you lata Cortez.” “Yo Buck,” he said. “Go get her.” With that he walked out the door. Johnny sat back and laughed. Buckey rolled his eyes at Johnny. “You a whole asshole man.” Cortez got a text and looked down at his phone. My fiancée is on her way home.” “So ya’ll gotta go.” Le Le smiled. “Aight man, no problem.” “I’ll holla at you tomorrow.” Cortez and Le Le gave each other pounds and Le Le walked out the door. Johnny lingered for a minute. Cotez said “Johnny that means you too dog.” “You ain’t gotta go home but you gotta get up outta here.” Johnny rolled his eyes. “So you kickin’ me out too?” Cortez smirked. “My lady is the way home and to be honest, I don’t trust you around her.” “You have never been respectful.” “I ain’t forgot how you treated her when we first met and you violated.” “So, yeah, you gotta go.” “Aight man, that’s cool.” Johnny said coldly.  He left without another word. Buckey and Cortez looked at each other. “I swear something is up with him.” Buckey said. “He’s acting way more sus than he usually is.” Cortez shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe we are just outgrowing each other.” Buckey sighed. “10 plus years of friendship is hard to let go.” “Yeah,” Cortez said. “Sometimes you gotta cut weeds in order for your plants to grow though.”

 A week later Kal and Dahlia sat next to Cortez in the courtroom. Today was the day that he found out if Demetrius was his son or not. Cortez was a nervous wreck. He was very fidgety and his palms were sweating. He kept catching Anita glancing over at him and smiling smugly. It was like she already knew the results and she was just making him squirm. Along with Dahlia and Kal, his parents were at the paternity hearing. On Anita’s side were her mother and sister. The judge came in with the results. She called Cortez and Anita to the front of the courtroom. “In the case of two year old Demetrius Vega, Cortez Flores is 99.9% the father.” Anita and her family smiled triumphantly. Cortez looked bewildered. Mr. and Mrs. Flores looked hurt and Dahlia did not react one way or the other. “Now,” The judge started. “In the matter of custody and child support.” “I will take a recess for about two hours to read over the files.” “We will then come back to the court and I will give my ruling.” “I will see you in two hours.” Everyone filed out of the courtroom.” Anita walked over to Cortez’s family smiling smugly. “Well, this proves it.” She smiled at Dahlia. “Looks like Tito has to take care of his responsibility.” Dahlia refused to let Anita, and her temper, get the best of her. “Yeah, I guess he does.” Kal stood by watching the interaction between the two women. She was prepared to defend Dahlia if she needed to. 

Cortez looked down at the ground. He didn’t know what to think. Part of him was elated. He had a son. He had brought a beautiful little boy into the world. Part of him was upset because he missed the first two years of his life. Part of him felt like he was a bad father because he should have known about this. He should have felt some connection to Demetrius. Most of him however was furious that Anita didn’t tell him. She knew for two years and she didn’t say a word. Dahlia, sensing his pain, led him away to a corner. Kal  sat about five feet away from Anita and her family and watched what was going on. Cortez looked at Dahlia with tears in his eyes. “Baby, I’m so sorry.” “I really had no idea.” He put his head down and let the tears slide down his face. Dahlia’s heart sunk. She knew how painful this must be for him. She wiped his tears away. “I’m not at all upset with you Cortez.” “It makes me proud that you are doing this.” “Plenty of men would have just run away from this but you are sticking around and you’re going to make it right.” As Dahlia was comforting Cortez his parents came over. He was still angry with his parents but he was definitely glad for their support in this. “Lo siento mijo.” His mother said as she kissed his cheeks. His father patted his back. “Cortez everything will be ok.” “If you need any help, you know you have us here.” Mr. Flores said. “Dahlia, would you excuse us for a moment?” Mrs. Flores said quietly. “Our family needs to be together right now to talk about what we are going to do about Demetrius.” Dahlia was hurt but she covered it well saying “I understand Mrs. Flores.” Dahlia started to walk away when Cortez grabbed her hand. “Baby, where are you going?” She looked into his eyes. “You need to be alone with your family so Kal and I are just going to go get some pizza.” 

“Dahlia, you ARE a part of this family.” Cortez touched her face. “I want you here.” “I’m sorry.” “I should really go.” Dahlia turned around and started to walk away. Cortez was furious with his mother. “Mami, why would you say that to her?” “That is the woman that I am going to marry!” “Yes,” Mrs. Flores retorted. “But mijo you have a son now, and he needs to come first.” “Let her go.” “If she doesn’t understand, then maybe she isn’t the woman for you.” Cortez looked after Dahlia wanting to go after her.” Just as he was about to go after her, Anita and her family came up to them. “Where is my son Anita?” “I want to see him.” Anita smiled. “I’ve already told you the way I want things.” “He is not to see your girlfriend at all.” “Are you going to agree with that?” Mr. Flores bristled at this request. He didn’t think it was fair but it was also not his place to say anything. Anita’s mother stood with her hands on her hips muttering in Spanish. Her sister Regina stood by with tons of attitude. It was clear that the family was upset that Cortez had moved on. .Cortez looked into Anita’s eyes. “You know I can’t do that Anita.” “We are engaged, we live together.” Anita’s sister Regina rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s not our problem.” “We made the demands.” “So if you want to see your son you have to abide by them.” Cortez felt his anger boiling over. “You’re treating my son as if he’s a hostage or something.” “If I want to see my son and bring him to the house that my girlfriend and I live in I’m going to do it.” “We have plenty of room for him in our house.” Anita stood toe to toe with him. “Oh, that’s what you think!” Cortez said calmly “Listen, the judge is ultimately going to decide.” “We will discuss it after she gives her ruling.” With that he turned his back to Anita and went after his fiancee.”  

At Calzone’s Pizza Parlor the girls enjoyed their pizza and breadsticks. Dahlia was hurt. Kal tried to comfort her while she picked at her pizza. “Dahlia,” Kalmia said. “Try not to let that get you down.” Dahlia played with her hair and kept looking towards the courthouse. Tears began to well up in her eyes. Just then, a deep, male voice interrupted her thoughts. “Excuse me miss.” The voice said. “I was wondering if you might help me out with something.” Dahlia turned to see Jason Little, her friend from school, standing there with a smile on his face. She smiled a little bit. She wiped her budding tears out of her eyes. “Yes sir, what can I help you with?” He laughed and said “Get over here and give me a hug.” She stood up to give him a hug. “What are you doing here?” She asked. “Well, I live over in this area and this is my favorite slice shop.” “But now that you eat in here, I will be coming much more often.” For the first time Jason noticed Kalmia  sitting with Dahlia. “And who is this lovely lady?” He asked looking straight at Kal. “I’m Kalmia, Dahlia’s cousin.” “Nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand for him to shake it. Jason took it and kissed it. “Well, the good looks obviously live in this family.” He said. Kal smiled politely but something about Jason’s energy seemed off. He stood talking to the girls for a few minutes. The whole time he was there he didn’t take his eyes off of Dahlia. It was like he had some kind of infatuation with her. Kal noticed this and was watching him like a hawk. “If I didn’t know any better I would think that he was flirting with her.” She thought to herself. He was laughing a little too hard at what Dahlia said and standing a little too close to her. Suddenly Jason said “Oh, I’ve gotta run.” “It was good bumping into you Dahlia.” “Hope I can do that again really soon.” He winked at Dahlia and waved at Kalmia. As soon as Jason walked away Cortez came up to them. “What the hell did he want?” Cortez said curtly. Kal was a little taken aback by his tone.” “He didn’t want anything.” Dahlia said matter of factly. “Just being friendly I guess.” “Well,” Cortez started. “They are about to tell us the custody arrangements and I want you to be there.” Dahlia bristled. “Why do you want me there?” Kal winced. “Dee, this is none of my business, but I do think you should be there for Cortez.” “They don’t want me there Kal.” Dahlia said a little bitterly. “But I do.” Cortez said. “I was on my way after you when Anita and her family confronted me.” “I didn’t want you to walk away baby.” “I wanted you with me.” Dahlia looked away and Kal knew it was because she was trying not to cry. “We should get going.” Kal said as she paid the cashier. Together, the three of them walked back over to the courthouse. As they walked back, Kal thought about the interaction between Jason and Dahlia. She didn’t like the way that Jason acted towards Dahlia and for some reason, she felt as if there was a storm on its way in Dahlia and Cortez’s relationship.