Chapter Eight: Down Here, Up There

Sean's POV

Lately it's been hell
Keeping my black ass from coming up there
So I'm thankful everyday and pray my enemies
Don't roll up on me and send me kicking and screaming up there

Everything I've ever done in my life was for my son.

Jonathan is my life; as soon as he was born I said I would do whatever it took to make sure he would have everything he needs. I never wanted him to want for anything. I told myself I would never be a deadbeat like my father. My son would have someone to teach him how to be a man.

Because little boys need that, they need guidance.

This is why I always treat Chelsea, my son's mom, with respect. I don't want us to be the type of parents that fight over every little thing. It's not hard, I still love Chelsea. She was my first girlfriend and vice versa. After she got pregnant we tried to work it out, but she didn't agree with my lifestyle. I told her after I get enough money, I'll get out. Ashley's determination had motivated me even more.

"Daddy" I walk up to Chelsea's mom's house to see my little boy through the screen. She still goes to school so her mom watches Jonathan for her when he isn't at daycare. Chelsea appears and opens the screen door for me. Jonathan flies into my arms. "Daddy I missed you"

"I missed you too little man" I pick him up and peck Chelsea on the cheek. "You look good" She laughs and walks into the house. She starts straightening up the living room.

"I look like shit, it's okay" I follow in behind her with Jonathan in my arms.

"I still say you look beautiful" I bounce Jonathan up and down. "Doesn't Mommy look beautiful?"

"Mommy you look beautiful" Chelsea beams and I set Jonathan down.

"Go to your room for a second" He listens and rushes off to his room. We've done this enough times. "Here" I reach in my pocket and pull out a wad of cash. She looks at it curiously.

"Why so much?" I knew she wouldn't just take it. She isn't like other mothers; she only takes what she needs.

"It's time" She freezes.

"How do you know?"

"I can feel it" She gazes up at me with tears rimming her eyes. I know this is her worst fear, but I can't lie to her.

"Let's go…" She starts rushing through the house and before I know it there is a duffle bag in her hand. She runs to Jonathan's room and grabs some clothes. In the middle of her throwing things into the bag I still her movements.

"Chelsea…Baby…" A tear hits my hand and I hear her quiet sobs. "You know I can't leave"

"Why?" She chokes out.

"I need to make sure Ashley gets out" She stares incredulously at me.

"What about Jay? What about me?" She shoves the bag away. "All over some white girl?"

"She's like my little sister Chels" I've talked to her about Ashley before. "I can't leave her hanging when she needs me most. I know you and Jay will be okay, I've been working hard to make sure of that… but Ashley, she stills direction"

Chelsea isn't heartless. She was the one who told me to take care of Ashley to begin with. The first day I met the girl I told Chelsea and she said it was a sign from God. That I was meant to watch out for this girl.

"I love you Sean" I can't help, but smile. She still has the same affect she had when we were dating.

"I love you too" We hug and it turns into a kissing. She cups my face and tries to pull me more into her. I pull away from her and rest my head against hers. "You know what to do?" She nods her head, but I wait for her to reiterate the plan.

"Pack necessities only, get Jay and my mom, go to your safety deposit box, take everything out of it, drive to the new place, don't tell anyone where I am" I nod my head satisfied.

"I'll help you"

/

After everything is packed and in the car I go in the house towards Jonathan's room.

"Hey buddy" He's sitting on his bed playing with his army man. I remember buying that when he was born. I take a seat next to him. "Daddy needs to talk to you"

"Okay Daddy" He looks up at me. I swear he looks more like Chelsea than me. He has dark brown eyes and her smile. Chelsea says he has my hair, but I usually cut his hair.

"You and Mommy are going to be leaving with Grandma soon"

"Where are we going?"

"To a nice new house"

"Are you coming too?" I shake my head and he climbs into my lap. "Come with us Daddy"

"I can't" I keep telling myself not to cry, don't cry. "But I want you to take care of your mom. Take care of your grandma too. Listen to everything they tell you"

"Okay"

"I love you Jay"

"I love you too Daddy" He doesn't get what I'm really saying, but he'll know something is up. I pick him up and take him to the car, putting him in his seat. He hands me his toy, but I shake my head.

"You keep it" I lean in and kiss his head. Chelsea is behind me when I turn around. She hugs me tightly telling me she loves me repeatedly. "I love you too Chels"

I want to tell her I'm scared, that I don't want to die.

"I know Baby… I know…" I lean on her shoulder and she sways us side to side.

I don't have to say anything, she already knows.

/

You would think its easier knowing when you are going to die.

It's not.

I can smell a set up. It's something I've picked up along the way. I'm supposed to be meeting Ashley. There has been someone following me for the last few blocks.

It's one of Aiden's boys. He's one cold motherfucker.

I'm not leading them to Ashley though, that's why it was important for me not to leave. If I did they would get Ashley right away. I walk around, enjoying my last few steps. I walk into an empty alley and I hear more steps behind me.

"I should have known you were stalling" I turn around to see Two Tone, one of the guys that knows my cousin Boz.

I never trusted that asshole.

"What can I say? I never go down easy" He sneers and a couple of guys pop up behind him. "So what is it? What did I do?"

"Taking business from Aiden, helping the brunette, either way he isn't happy"

"And here I thought we were family" I see him reach behind his back and I reach into my waistband. We both hold our guns facing each other. "You may get me, but I'm taking someone with me"

He smiles and shots are fired.

The last thing I see is Chelsea and Jonathan.