Chapter 5

"How'd you get here so fast?". I asked.

"I was right around the corner at the liquor store". She answered. "So, did you have a good time?".

"No, there was nobody I knew there...and I saw him".

"So who?".

"Michael Jackson, Breathe". I said somewhat upset. "John".

"...oh, what happened?".

"He said he missed me, he was sorry and he wanted to start over with me". I heard breathe begin to laugh. "What's so funny?".

"What he said to you, it's sweet". She said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say he still loves you".

"Well it's to bad the rubber band doesn't bounce back, because I don't love him".

Breathe let out a dry laugh. "That's a lie".

"No it's not".

"Yes it is. I'm not that dumb, I see you looking at that picture I took of you two everyday, face it, you still have feelings for him". She explained. I folded my arms again in a huff, then turned and looked out the window.

In the mirror on the side of breathe's car I saw Prince sleeping peacefully in the back. I smiled and thought about john all the way home.

The next day

"I can't believe I'm a father". John said. He was sitting in the living room with his mom and his cousin Mark.

"Sorry I didn't tell you". Carol said.

"It's alright mom". John said.

"Are you gon' be okay?". Mark asked.

"Yeah, I'm kinda actually happy. I mean this could be a chance for me to get back with Mary, I can show her how well I can be a father". He said happily.

"Are you sure man, I mean she's already mad at you, what if she doesn't want you to see him?".

"I don't know".

"So, you gon' call her?".

"Yeah". John rose to his feet and ran up to his room. He shut the door, grabbed his phone and dialed her number.

At her house, Mary was in the kitchen cleaning the dishes when she heard the phone ring. She dried off her hands and walked into the living room to answer the phone.

"Hello".

"..hey Mary". John said a bit quietly over the other line.

Mary rolled her eyes. I had a feeling he would call. "What do you want now?".

"I was wondering if you could give me another chance to prove my loyalty".

"By doing what?".

"Taking care of Prince".

"How do you know his name?".

"Mom told me". He said. "Please, this could be a chance for me to prove what a great dad I can be".

"No".

"Mary, please I-".

"Look, I'm already pissed at you for the torture you put me through in the past year and a half. Do you really think I'm gonna trust you with my son?".

"If you just-".

"Bye john". Mary put the phone on the receiver and left to continue washing the dishes.

John was sitting sadly on his bed staring at the floor with the phone still held up to his ear.

"John". He looked up and saw his mom leaning on the door jam.

"She said no".

One week later

"So how much more stuff do we need to pack?". Breathe asked. Her and Mary were packing up the clothes and other items, they would be leaving for LA to teach some college students in one of their English courses.

"I think just a few more outfits and shoes". Mary said as she finished packing her bags.

"Well, I'ma head over to the mall and buy some shoes, you comin'?".

"No, I still gotta pack Prince's stuff".

"Alright, I'll see you later". Breathe said before she left. Mary walked into the living room and turned on the t.v., once again wrestling was on and who was on the screen? None other than John cena who was doing one of his freestyles. Prince was sitting on the couch watching on.

"I'm sorry Prince. I really wanted you to meet your daddy, but I don't know if I can trust him". She said rubbing the top of his head. She took a sigh and stood up. "I need a glass of water".

Mary walked into the kitchen, grabbed herself a glass and got some water. "Why me". She thought.

As she walked towards the living room she could have sworn she heard prince speak. She stopped dead in her tracks to make sure she wasn't hearing things, hearing him again she understood what he was saying. Mary dropped her glass splattering the water all over the floor, she ran into the living room seeing that prince was now on the floor even closer to the t.v. where john was still rapping.

"What did you say prince?".Mary asked. Prince pressed his small hands onto the screen, he turned to her and then giggled.

"Da-da". Was his response.