His Queen

Hailey Makes A Friend

Hailey was sitting down on the couch watching a movie when someone knocked. Going to the door she peeked to see if it was her biological sperm giver. Because if so, she was going to call the police. But instead, she found one of Tyrone’s henchmen waiting on the porch looking worried.  

Opening the door, Hailey smiled politely, “Um...hi?” Nodding the guy asked, “Is everything okay?” Hailey nodded slowly confused, “Ugh, yeah, why wouldn’t it be?” The guy nodded for the inside and Hailey allowed him to come in.  

“The reason was because I have a buddy on the force. He called me to let me know a 911 call was place to do a wellness check on y’all. A neighbor said they heard “a horror movie-worthy” scream. Thought maybe you got hurt here alone with your mama.”  

Understanding now, Hailey shook her head, “No, she was being difficult but I got her to shut up.” Raising an eyebrow, the man observed Hailey trying to get a read on her. But Hailey just shrugged tiredly, “But um, thank you for checking in. I mean I guess you get paid too, but thanks anyway.”  

Nodding, the tall African American man was in his early twenties. Hair cut with waves, the diamonds in each ear, with the bright brown eyes hit different. Especially in his dark suit, the huge build wasn’t fat but muscle.  

Hailey felt uneasy watching him look around, “It’s not just a job, I do care. I’d hate for anything to happen to you because of a damn junkie.” Wincing realizing what he’d said, and who he was insulting, he tried to correct himself.  

“Sorry, I forgot she was your mama.” Hailey shrugged as she admitted, “It's easy for me to forget she’s my mama too.” Nodding the guy stuck out his hand suddenly, “Sean Hale by the way.” Hailey shook his hand, “Nice to meet ya Sean. Um, I’m Hailey Turner in case you didn’t know.”  

Sean had known, and he’d been told Hailey was someone to watch as a protentional threat before. But now she was suddenly someone they were protecting. “Are you hungry? I ordered Mexican, and I kind of got in the habit of ordering for two.” Sean shrugged, “Sure, I could eat.”  

Sitting down, both ate tacos, quesadillas, and chips with guac. The movie playing made both laugh, but it was a pleasant silence until Hailey saw a text.  

Walter surprisingly had her number. And he was texting her, begging her to talk.  

She should feel good knowing she had a way to make her father talk to her now. But instead, she felt sick to her stomach knowing now he could reach her. That he probably always knew how to reach her.  

Flipping her phone over ignoring the repetitive buzzing, Hailey didn’t even notice it. But Sean was peeping the entire ordeal and asked concerned, “Ex?” Hailey scrunched up her nose in disgust, “Ew, no. My, um...my dad.”  

Sean raised an eyebrow at the awkwardness of how Hailey said the word. But she didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she finished her dinner and cleaned up before coming back and curling up on the couch.  

Sitting at a reasonable distance, Sean kept watching her until his phone pinged. Seeing who it was made him roll his eyes.  

Rose: You coming over tonight?  

“Girlfriend?” Hailey guessed seeing his expression. “No, ex. She’s just...sensitive. It’s hard to let her down easy.” Sighing, Sean put his phone back in his pocket without responding, “And you?” Hailey looked at him confused, “What?”  

Sean raised his shoulder before dropping it bored, “Your dad? Why you ignoring him?” Hailey thought about telling Sean it was none of his business. But she didn’t have anyone else to talk to, so why not him?  

“He's never been there for me. My entire life he’s been going through a revolving door right back to his actual family. But now suddenly he wants to acknowledge my existence so he can get a kidney out of me.”  

Sean scoffed knowing how that worked, “What a tool.” Hailey nodded as her phone buzzed again. Picking it up, she looked at her father pleading for her to meet him. To hear him out, “I hate him so f*****g much. But I hate myself more,” Hailey admitted wanting to cry.  

Reaching for her, Sean placed a soft hand on her shoulder, “Why?” Hailey shrugged a little embarrassed, “Because I actually thought he cared. That he wanted to get to know me, but no. All he wants is me to cut myself open, give him a kidney and go back to ignoring me being born.” Sean looked at her sadly, “I’m sure that’s not true.”  

Hailey looked at Sean tiredly, “A father is supposed to be a little girl’s first love. A real man, who sets her up for greatness and treats her like a princess. So she can be treated like a queen later on. Walter was none of those things, and now he expects forgiveness. Just so he can get something from me.”  

Sean could hear and see why that would piss her off. But as a tear streaked down Hailey’s cheek, he could see it hurt her more. Pulling her into a hug, Hailey sobbed into his large chest for awhile. And when she was all cried out, she was mortified.  

Had she really just spilled everything she was to a complete stranger?  

But Sean didn’t look at her different. Instead, he caught her chin and made her look at him, “Your father will forever be an i***t. It’s his lost, and you already know you don’t owe him a damn thing. Just make sure you’re not making a decision based on anger.” Nodding in agreement, Hailey sniffled wiping her face, “God, I’m sorry. I doubt you came here to be cried on.”  

Hailey blushed as she admitted, “We’re sort of a 2/3 of a hot mess around here.” Sean laughed amused, “No house is perfect darling. And hurting, dealing with something like this? It’s not easy. Doesn’t make you a hot mess. Besides you fed me so we're even.” 

 Laughing, Hailey was wiping her face when his phone pinged again, Hailey raised an eyebrow playfully, “And her?” Sean shrugged as he admitted, “Me and Rose dated for a few months, but it became obvious she has a few screws loose.”  

Checking the text of a question mark and annoyed emoji, Sean sighed, “She doesn’t want us to be over and said she’d be cool with just hooking up. But I know she wouldn’t, so I said no. But she’s still texting, trying to get me to come over.” Hailey nodded as she advised, “I wouldn’t. It’ll give her hope, and it’ll screw her up even more if she realizes it’s only the s*x you’re there for.”  

Sean knew that, but having a young woman agree to it made him smile, “Exactly, which is why I’m not texting back. It’s hard enough trying to work and take care of my little sister without her making it stressful.”  

Hailey smiled a little catching on to something personal about him, “How old is your little sister?” Sean grinned as he proudly showed Hailey his little sister, “Kimberly is four.” Seeing the bi-racial little girl with big brown eyes smiling at her, Hailey beamed, “She’s cute.”  

Sean smiled, “Thanks.” When he met Hailey’s confused gaze, he explained, “My mom passed last year. I had to get custody of her, or she’d gone to my aunt and uncle.” Hailey nodded, “Right, so of course big brother to the rescue.” Laughing, Sean agreed as he admitted, “Not that they are bad people, I just couldn’t stomach it. It’s just...harder than I thought.”  

Hailey could only guess it was, “I know, but you seem like a good guy. I bet she’s safer and more loved with you than anyone else.” Feeling elated to get the validation, Sean watched Hailey for a moment as her phone’s notification sound chimed again. She didn’t even look at the message. 

Throwing it away from her, Hailey muttered, “And at least she doesn’t have to worry about you leaving her.”  

That was for damn sure. His phone chimed again and he sighed seeing Rose had texted him again. But this one was more accusatory.  

Rose: Is this about what I said about Kimmie? You know I didn’t mean that!  

Ready to start one of their fights as usual it would seem; Rose was still typing. But Sean was tired of fighting. And defending his sister from someone who seemed determined to push her out of the equation.  

“She wanted me to.” Sean said tiredly rubbing his eyes as the paragraphs came in. Hailey watched and shook her head, “She wanted you to choose her over your sister?” Sean nodded as he admitted, “I told her I was taking Kimberly in and she wanted to tell me how she didn’t sign up to take care of her.”  

Hailey scoffed in disgust, considering the little girl had just lost her mom. And so had Sean, his girlfriend at the time should have been supportive. Sean could see what was bothering her and nodded, “Exactly. But the thing is I never asked her to step into a mom role for Kim. But when she told me that she’d never be okay with it, I knew it wouldn’t work out. Especially when I told her I’d never chose her over Kim. So, she cheated on me, started talking to other dudes and sneaking around.”  

Shrugging, Sean held up his phone seeing the slew of text messages he was just too tired to read. “I broke up with her, and now she’s thinking a sneak link behind her new dudes back will put us back together.”  

Hailey hummed as she gave another possible reason, “Or trap you.” Sean met Hailey’s eyes horrified and she shrugged, “Sounds like it in my opinion. I wouldn’t if I were you, but you’re grown. Make your own mistakes.” Sighing, she was surfing Netflix as he asked, “And you? Are you just going to ignore him?”  

Hailey hadn’t known the answer then as she clicked Shadow and Bone. “I don’t know.”  When the show started, Hailey wanted to ask. So, she did without looking at him, “If you can, could you stay a little longer?” Sean grinned as he nodded, “Yeah, I can stay.”