Licour

Being smart and a guy is a struggle. Guys always trying to play me like I'm soft. Girls always trying to run over me. Licour thought sitting in his college class that had a fun spelling bee for an experiment he was conducting. He was sociology and physiology major. He was experimenting on how large or small crowds influence people's way of spelling correctly.

"Yo Cour, are you going out tonight?"

"Not tonight, I'm going to see my mother."

"Yo, alright."

He nodded his head as he continued to write down his personal observation and his outside observation. He kind a enjoyed the incident that happen with Nic because it opened the doors for more questions, but he, himself had fumbled a word he knew because it was more personal. He looked over at his phone vibrating and picked it up to Sandra's voice.

"Yes, Doll."

"I haven't seen you in a week."

"I know. Come see me tomorrow."

"Okay.."

She sung through the phone. He liked Sandra, but he was more focused on school than her and that's what made her stay around. He was never the clingy type or the overly rude type either, so she took what time she got with him and dealt with. He hung up and began typing up his report.

On his way out the dorm, Claire came up to him and hugged him. She pecked his lips and smiled. He continued walking as she held on to him, walking backwards.

"Licour, I miss you."

"Claire, I miss you too, but you broke up with me now get off me."

"No baby, come back to me."

"I'm good, I like my new girlfriend. You can leave now."

He stopped and pushed her off him. Petty ass little girl. He walked to his car and saw flowers on them. Who the fuck? He picked it up and threw them in the trash. I don't do flowers wrong car.

******

"Hey Ma, how are you?"

"I'm good baby."

"You look good, Pop taking care of you?"

"Not really... No."

"What? Linda told me he was acting different, but dang?"

"Cour let me tell you something, go close the door."

He made his way to the door and closed it then sat back next to her on the bed. She told him what happen and that the baby wasn't his father's. He looked shocked then angry.

"Mom, you know you can get a DNA test during the pregnancy right?"

"I don't want to do that to him."

"But you will, I'll have my doctor friend come over and run the test if it's not his then I won't call and tell you, but if it is, I'll call you."

"Baby, I don't think...."

"Dad is hurt Ma, and that's only hurting your relationship and stressing the baby."

He looked her in her eyes and watched her tears fall. She grabbed a tissue and dapped at her eyes. He wiped her face as she nodded her head in agreement.

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Good. I'll be right back."

He made sure she was alright then walked out into the hall way to see SB coming towards him. They dapped then he made his way down the side stairs to the first floor.

"Yo Jean, I need a favor?"

"Wassup?"

"Could you DNA test for me?"

"Sure."

"The baby is still in the womb though."

"I gotchu."

"Anything you need?"

"Yeah, Saliva sample from the father and for you to bring ya mother into my office sometime this week."

"We'll be there tomorrow afternoon like 1."

"Cool, I'll be set up."

They hung up and Licour made his way back up the stairs to his parents' room. He was about to enter when he heard them talking.

"I don't want to know if the baby isn't mine, so I'm not doing it."

"For me Faree, please."

"No, just to be hurt some more."

"Okay.."

"Who put you up to this bullshit?"

"No-one, just forget I said anything."

"You're a bad liar."

"Well I'm not telling you who, so you can drop it."

"Whatever, I'll be back later."

"Where are you going?"

"Out."

There was movement and then there was a pause. Licour backed away from the door. I can't believe he's treating her like this. Then the movement started again.

"Look, it's hard looking at you Nic. I don't understand why you don't understand that!"

"I understand it, but this isn't my fault! You're treating me like I did this to myself! You don't even look at me the same, you leave like now and don't come back until now and you don't show that you care what I want or how I feel. You think I want to be carrying another man's baby? Hell no, but I'm not aborting someone, who didn't do anything wrong. Is that what you want?"

He didn't answer. Licour couldn't believe it and stormed off. What the fuck? I could never do that to someone I love. He grabbed his keys off the hook and left.

******

Licour went home Saturday morning with the results. It was about 10am, so everyone was gone besides Nicki. He took the side elevator to the second floor and knocked on her door. She pulled open the door with blood red eyes and puffy eye lids.

"What's wrong, Ma?"

He hugged her and she cried even more. He looked her over and could tell she hadn't slept in days. He walked her back to her, but she wouldn't get in.

"Cour, please. I'm not ready to sleep here."

"What's going on?"

"He hasn't been home since the other day you were here. He just comes here picks up the kids and leaves."

"I'm so sorry...."

"I should've just got the abortion."

"No! Look..."

He handed her the envelope. She held it, but didn't open it. She shook her head and handed them back to him. He hadn't looked himself out of fear, but he wanted to know, so he opened it and read over the first one.

"Oh..."

He then looked over the second one and sighed with a sad look on his face. Nicki shook her head and nearly dropped to the floor. Licour grabbed her and smiled huge.

"Just kidding, He's the father."

"WHAT?"

"Yeah, that's what it says on both these papers."

She snatched the papers and cried reading them. Ninety-nine percent on both papers. Safaree Samuels on both papers. He smiled as a smile spread across her face. He wiped her tears away.

"Could you tell him."

"No, you tell him Ma, I'll be here with you."

"He won't come if I call him."

"You haven't tried."

He grabbed his phone and handed it to her. She dialed his number and waited for him to answer. She was just about to hang up when he answered.

"Wassup?"

"Um... I need you."

"Nic this isn't the...."

"I really need you... Badly."

"Ugh... What Onika?"

"It's something I need to tell you in person."

".... This can't wait until..."

"Please, just... I'm tired of begging you."

"Then don't."

Licour took the phone.

"Pop, just come home. You coming running away from her like a bitch. You're not making this shit better just get here or you won't have a family to come home to."

He hung up and pulled his mom into and hug and silently cried with her. The man he looked up to wasn't the same man. Mr. Haze was going to pay for it with more than just his wife.

~~~~~~

SB walked into the house ten minutes later. He looked at Licour and made little eye contact with Nic. She grabbed his hand and she looked surprised that he didn't pull away.

"Here."

"What is this?!"

He asked now looking at her in shock. She didn't answer just looked at him and passed it over to him.

"You filed for divorce? Nic, I'm sorry please..."

"Safaree open the envelope."

Licour laughed on the inside at how quickly his mood changed seeing that envelope. So he does care? Hmm. . They watched as he slowly opened it and stared up at them then look back down at the papers. He scanned over it and leaped up out of his chair then looked at the other paper and screamed out.

"YOOOOO!"

He began to cry as he got on his knees at Nicki's feet. He kissed her stomach and hugged her. Bet he feels like an ass. He kissed her while both of them cried. He picked her up and continued to kiss her all over her neck and face.

"I'm so sorry baby."

"I really am. I was so stupid."

"Faree, stop."

"No, I'll make it up to you and our baby."

"Congratulation you guys."

"Thank you, baby."

"Anything for you Ma."

"Thanks son."

They dapped up then Licour left them to be alone. He looked back at their smiling faces as Nicki sat on the table with SB in between her parted legs reading the results again.