Jackie D. - Life After A Balla

Out of nowhere several reporters and photographers ran up surrounding Asia like a pack of wolves then started snapping her picture and asking questions.

“Are you here to see Sandino Washington? Can you give us an update on his progress?” one reporter asked, passing her a business card.

“Are you family? Whose baby is this?” another reported blurted out snapping pictures of her son. With microphones pushed in her face and the constant flashes of cameras Asia felt trapped and violated.

“No, I’m not here to see Sandino Washington, now move out my way so I can get inside,” she demanded pushing her way past the mob of vultures.

The paparazzi and news reporters walked away disappointed that they weren’t getting a juicy story to report. Once inside, Asia cleared her throat to get the chubby nurse’s attention once she reached the front desk.

“Hello, may I help you?” the nurse asked.

“Yes, I’m here to see my husband, Sandino Washington,” Asia responded.

The nurse looked at her funny. “What’s your name? Are you a reporter?”

“No, not at all. My name is Skye. Skye Washington,” Asia answered.

The nurse’s expression finally changed. “Oh, it’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Washington. Everyone has been wondering when you were finally going to come visit him.” The nurse studied her again. “You look so different from all the photos they show on T.V.”

“Yeah, I changed my hair and added a few pounds,” Asia said trying to play it off.

“I can understand that. I’ve put on a few myself,” the nurse said, patting her stomach.

Bitch, stop lying. You’ve added way more than a few. A ton is more like it,” Asia thought .

“And look at that beautiful baby.” When the nurse noticed the baby’s blue dinosaur onesie she said, “I thought Mr. Washington had two sons and a one year old daughter.”

Asia was becoming very irritated with the nosey nurse. “He does…I mean we do. This is my nephew. I’m just watching him for my brother for a little while. Can I please see my husband now?”

“Oh, yes of course.”

“So, what room is he in?” Asia asked.

“Please don’t be offended Mrs. Washington, but do you have your ID? We’re supposed to ask when it concerns your husband. You know since he’s a high profile patient.”

Asia had to think of something quick. “Actually, I don’t. I was in such a rush on my way here, and left it in the hotel. It’s been a long day with me dealing with my nephew.” She gave the nurse a sad look. “I can go back and get it. It may take me a while since my hotel is across town, but it’s fine.” When Asia displayed an exhausted expression, and turned around the nurse grabbed her arm.

“Don’t worry about it, Mrs. Washington.” She looked around then lowered her voice. “I’m sure you’re dying to see your husband, so I’ll make an exception this time. Come this way I’ll show you to his room.”

Asia thanked her before giving the nurse a fake smile and following her down the hall. She looked around at all the patients in the hallway and instantly became sick on her stomach. She hated hospitals, but was in desperate need for Sandino to meet his son. When they entered the room, Asia was shocked to see that the once big and muscular Sandino was now much smaller. It looked like he’d lost at least sixty pounds or more. He sat in a wheelchair near the window asleep.

“Mr. Washington, your wife is finally here to see you,” the nurse announced.

At that moment, Sandino’s eyes opened wide as if he was excited by her words. However, when he saw Asia standing there, a frown suddenly appeared on his face.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” the nurse said, walking towards the door.

Asia couldn’t help but stare at the side of Sandino’s head that looked as if an entire section had been removed. “Why does his head look like that?”

“That’s from the surgery where doctor’s had to remove part of his skull to retrieve the bullet fragments,” the nurse advised.

“Damn,” Asia said under her breath. “Can he talk?”

Sandino was slumped over with dried up saliva on the side of his mouth and crust between his eyes. The oversized sweat suit he wore swallowed his now slimmer physique and his large feet were turned together in an awkward position between the petal guards of his wheelchair. It shocked Asia to see him that way.

“He’s working on it. He can mumble a few things, but nothing comes out that well other than yes and no sometimes.”

Asia looked at her but didn’t respond. She wasn’t used to Sandino not being the asshole he once was.

“Let me know if you need anything.”

When the nurse left the room, Asia walked over and sat in a chair near Sandino staring at the large scar that stretched across his head. Sandino watched her as well.

“Long time no see, Sandino. Damn, you all fucked up,” she said, staring at him once again. “I just wanted to come by and introduce you to your son.” Asia took the baby out of the car seat and placed him close to Sandino’s face. “Doesn’t he look just like you? I named him Sandino Jr. Thinking about calling him SJ for short.”

Sandino cut his eyes at the baby. He studied him for a long time before directing his eyes back on Asia.

“I just came here to tell you that I need money. I know Skye and your lawyer are trying to block your third son outta his share and I think that’s fucked up. I know you’re probably still mad at me about that money I stole, but that shit was in the past. What’s important now is making sure your son is taken care of. I know you believe in making sure your kids always have the best,” she said.

Sandino’s eyes turned angry. He moved his mouth trying to speak and after stuttering for a few seconds he yelled out the word no, then spit on Asia. Luckily, the saliva didn’t land anywhere near her face.

She jumped up with the baby in her arms. “I know you didn’t just spit on me you handicapped muthafucka!” She stared at him for a few seconds, before returning the glob of spit. She then reached for her cell phone and snapped several pictures of him.

“I tried to be nice to your evil ass by coming here like a lady to ask for your help. But since you want to disrespect me, I’m about to disrespect you. I’m sure all the paparazzi outside would give me big money for these pictures of your sickly looking ass. Not to mention I could see the headlines now, ex pro ball player Sandino’s Washington’s illegitimate son. One way or the other… you will pay!” Asia yelled. She quickly placed the baby back inside the car seat as the nurse walked back into the room.

“Is everything alright in here, Mrs. Washington?”

“Don’t call me that shit. I’m not Mrs. Washington. It’s no way could I ever be married to this selfish ass bastard!”

As soon as the nurse’s eyes widened, Asia ran out the room and headed back to her truck. After securing the baby’s seat back into the base, it didn’t take long for her to start up the engine and skid out of the parking lot.

“What have I gotten myself into?” she asked out loud.

Asia didn’t like kids and definitely wasn’t feeling the whole mommy thing, so something had to be done. She couldn’t take care of a baby broke. She needed a nanny and a nice house on the beach like Skye once had.

“I’ll hold onto these pictures of Sandino as back up reassurance. I won’t have a problem making a few calls and selling them to the tabloids to get some cash if it comes down to that,” Asia said, trying to come up with a plan. She got upset when the baby started crying.

“Shut up, I need to think!”

When Skye and Cruze pulled up in front of her apartment complex on Sweetwater Road late the next evening, the cloudy and dull Georgia skies had her missing Miami’s beautiful weather already. Georgia was a far cry from sunny Florida. Although her new neighborhood was far better than the one in Marietta, where she often witnessed drug transactions and young boys rolling dice on the curb, it still wasn’t the type of environment she wanted to raise her kids in. Not to mention, she was tired of apartment living.