Dahlia

The Disrespect

After Dahlia left him Cortez chuckled at her request to go to the zoo that evening. He knew that going to

the zoo was exactly what he would be doing later on. He pulled out his phone and texted Johnny that he

was headed to meet him. He cleared his trash and walked out of the chill spot. Cortez walked off

campus to Paulie’s Pizza Parlour to meet Johnny. He spotted Johnny sitting at a table so he went over

and gave him a pound. “What up man?” Cortez said. “You said you wanted to talk?” “I did too.” “I felt like

something was off after our last conversation.” “Yeah,” Johnny said with a bit of venom in his voice.

“There is definitely something that needs to be said.” Cortez was a little surprised at Johnny’s tone and

also a little irritated.” “What is your problem bruh?” Cortez asked. At that moment Cortez saw her. Anita

was heading out of the restroom area. She was wearing some barely there denim shorts and a halter

that barely covered her chest. “Hi Cortez.” Anita cooed.  “What the f**k are you doing here Anita?”

Cortez asked. “Well, hello to you too.” She said innocently. Cortez looked from Johnny to Anita. “Did you

two set this up or something?” He asked. “Just hear her our bruh.” Johnny said. “She really wanted to

talk to you about something.”  “Listen, Tito I just want to talk.” “I really don’t think all of this is

necessary with our son.” “All of what Anita?” Cortez said.  “And Johnny, what the f**k?” “I met you here

because I thought we were gonna figure out all that s**t that happened at the cookout.” Anita flipped

her hair. “Well, I asked Johnny to be here.” “I didn’t know if you were gonna bring what’s her name and if

you had I wouldn’t have felt safe.” “She makes me nervous, and that’s why I don’t want her around my

son.” “I feel like because she doesn’t like me, she might try to hurt my son.” 

Cortez was starting to lose his temper. “She doesn’t even know you not to like you Anita.” “But the way

that you have treated her whenever you have seen her I wouldn’t blame her for not liking you.” Anita

scoffed. “I’m gonna just pretend you didn’t say some disrespectful s**t like that to me.”  “I mean, why do

we have to have the courts intervene with us raising our son?” “We should be able to come up with an

arrangement on our own.” Cortez raised his eyebrows. “We tried that but you didn’t want to cooperate.”

She scooted her chair closer to Cortez and put her cleavage right in his face. “I just want Demetrius to

have something that I didn’t.” “Parents that were in love and raising him together. Johnny bristled at

this and Cortez looked dumbfounded. “Listen, I didn’t come here for this.” “I came here to talk to my

brother.” “Anita, you know that I am engaged.” “We are not in love.” “We haven’t been for a really long

time.” “All I want to do is take care of my son.” “I choose to go through Josephina because you are

irrational.” “Look what you are doing here.” 

“All she’s asking is for her son’s parents to get along and not let other people influence the decisions.”

Johnny spat. “I can’t believe you yo.” “I can’t believe you, a square like you, is doing your BM like this.”

“You just kickin’ her to the curb like she ain’t worth a damn, and all for a fat ass b***h that isn’t even in

your league.” Cortez balled his fists up and was about to say something to Johnny. Anita squeezed

phony tears out of her eyes and grabbed Cortez’s hand. “Cortez, I didn’t ask for any of this.” “I just want

to raise my son with his father in his life.” “Nah,” he said, snatching his hand away from her. “You want

to raise our son with me in his life on YOUR terms.” “You want me to do things the way YOU want them.”

Johnny rolled his eyes. “Your problem is that you let your b***h make all your decisions for you and she

is clouding your judgement.” “Disrespect my girl again,” Cortez said. “I swear to God I will knock you the

fuck out.” “You ain’t gonna do a muthafuckin thing.” Johnny said standing up. “Try me.” Cortez said,

standing up as well. Anita stood between the two of them. “You guys, stop it.” “You are best friends, you

shouldn’t be fighting.” “Cortez, Johnny understands me.” “Why aren’t you listening to him?” “You need

to cut her out of your life so that you can give your son all that you have.” “I mean, our connection never

went away.” “You always have a special place in your heart for you child’s other parent.” 

Cortez stood up. “I’m not staying here and listening to this bullshit anymore.” “We are going to keep

everything the way that it is.” “Both of you stay far the f**k away from me.” “I don’t have nothin’ else to

say to either of you.” Anita started sobbing into Johnny’s chest as Cortez began to walk away. He

couldn’t believe what had just happened. His best friend betrayed him siding with his child’s mother

who was clearly delusional. He pulled his phone out to check the time. Dahlia should have been out of

class by now and he had to tell her about the bullshit that just happened. When he unlocked his phone

he had 15 missed calls from Kal and Buckey. He went to call Buckey back but his call what interrupted

by Kalmia calling his phone. “Hey Kal.” He said into the phone. “What’s going on?” “Cortez,” Kal said

frantically. “Where are you?” “Buckey and I have been calling.” “You gotta get to the hospital!” “Dee has

been beaten unconscious.” The world slowed down around him.. “What do you mean she’s been

beaten?” “She’s unconscious?” “Who the hell did this to her?” “Is she ok?”“What hospital are you at?” He

asked frantically. “Downtown Jamaica.” Kal said. “I’m on my way.” He quickly made his way back on

campus to his car. He tore out of the campus and made his way to Downton Jamaica. Nothing else

mattered to him right now, he just had to get to Dahlia. After he made sure she was ok someone was

going to have hell to pay.”