...Four Years Ago...
"I'm pregnant" - two words that echoed in the mind of the young Johan. There was a brief silence, a calm. "Hello...?", Nikita reached out.
"Yeah, I'm here. I heard you. I-I don't know if I should be excited or scared out my mind." Johan was trying to gather his bearings, his thoughts, the revelation of becoming a father weighed him heavy. "... What are we going to do?" "What do you mean?" "... I don't know. I'm just trying to wrap my head around this..."
Another brief silence fell upon the phone call.
"You're just finding out?" Johan asked. "I knew for a little over three weeks now." Nikita responded. "And you're just now telling me?" "I didn't know how you would react. I didn't know if I'd be keeping the baby. Like, I just needed some time to figure out what I'm going to do". "I see... I mean, it's obvious we can't afford it. We have to-" "I can't." Nikita abruptly spoken.
"I just can't make that decision right now. We were supposed to graduate, go to college, try to make something out of this thing. I don't what to expect right now. I told my parents.” "What did they say?" He asked. "They were livid. They want us to stop seeing each other." "What!?"
Johan gets up from his bed, pacing the floor. "Are you home? I'm coming over right now. I'd rather we talk about this in person." "No, I'm not home. I'm not even in-state. I'm with my aunt in Philadelphia for the weekend. I just needed some space after a big argument we had." "What happened?" "... They're moving me to Atlanta." Johan was crushed by the news of losing his girlfriend, not only that, potentially a child as well. Anger and sorrow for the situation out of his control began to swell in him as the conversation continue.
"So, what now? We have to make this work somehow." "Johan, please. I don't have all the answers right now. Like you said, we can't afford it right now. But I'm not sure if I want to have an abortion. I just need time to figure things out." "what about your basketball scholarship?" "I guess, it'll just have to go to someone else. If I can't play, I can’t keep it, and I wouldn't want that kind of stress on me right now... All I know is that I'm leaving for Atlanta soon... It's not a choice."
"But-" "I'm sorry Johan. I'm sorry it had to be this way, but doing this face to face would've been even harder for me. I have to go." "Nikita-" "I'm sorry JoJo, bye." Nikita rushed off the phone. As the stunned and confused Johan sat down to collect himself, his mother knocks on the door before opening, "Johan, is everything okay?" "No mom, everything is not okay..."
Johan, 16, Nikita, 17. Young tender lovers, having not yet explored the splendors of what life has to offer. Two products of their environment from different backgrounds, finding each other with a common love for basketball. Both were special. One with the God-given talent, the other with the raw potential to absorb and adapt the game. But it only took one faithful night for it all to come crashing down...
[Interlude]
It's been two years since the bomb Nikita dropped on Johan. Nikita moved to Atlanta, staying with her Aunt on her father's side. She made the decision to keep the child, giving birth to a boy. Not only that, Nikita managed to make life work somehow. It was unfortunate learning that her Aunt and Uncle-In-Law were unable to have a baby on their own after many attempts. The silver lining of this turmoil was they were very accepting of assisting care for the baby as Nikita finished school, attending Clark Atlanta University, even managing to make the basketball team. Nikita Hardaway was star player without a second look. When scouts got around to making it to CAU, they were there for Nikita Hardaway. She led the team in points, assists, steals, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage. It was nothing she couldn't do outside of not making it to a much bigger program as she dreamt of etching her name into.
Back to the world of Johan Johnson, moving from Queens, New York, Johan transferred to Newark East Side High. He came into his own through the years, developing his game. Granted a growth spurt, Johan towered at 6'5", fascinating his-self at both sports and body building. The kid wasn't your normal teenager going through phases. Idolizing the sheer power and finesse of the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ben Wallace, Shaq, and more through countless clips online and re-runs on NBA TV. Johan bulked up and put his body to use, making it an advantage against other regional teams. Athletically, he was a cut above the rest. Inside game, footwork, he had the works. What was left to be desired was his shooting mechanics and his consistency. At work in progress, but nonetheless, he was on many mid-major and few big program's radar. After winning state, graduating from high school with flying colors, slotting him-self in the top 50 players in the nation, Johan just never followed through. As it would seem, something else was itching at his mind after all this time, after all this focus and dedication; Nikita...
...Atlanta...
It's been some time since everything has settled. Both were still going through the motions. The baby was born, a boy. The relationship between the two began to rekindle. Despite the distance, they tried to remain on good terms. Phone calls, video chats, text messages, pictures. It was a bittersweet for Johan, but he was content for now. In secret, Johan's been trying to make moves to take a trip and surprise her. After all, he still loved her, more importantly, proper introductions were due between him and his son. But over the course of a few attempts to receive her address to "send a care package for the baby", Nikita remained hemmed up. Afterwards, things became very seldom in communication. Then one day in Queens, Johan bumps into a close friend of Nikita's.
"Hey there Mr. Basketball Star!" Johan turns his attention to loud shout from a distance. "Hey, Rhonda. Long time, no see. How've you been?" "I'm good. doing a bit of shopping here and there. I wasn't sure if it was you, but I definitely recognized you when I got closer. Just wanted to say what's up and it was good to see you since you left." "Awh, good to see you as well. I actually just got back in the city, doing a few things then heading back off." "I hear that, gotta stay busy these days. Well, I'm not going to hold you. It was nice seeing you." "Yeah, same here. Hey, hold on a sec. Let me ask you. You and Nikita, y'all still close?" "Yeah, of course, that's my girl! My ace! I'm actually doing shopping for her son." "So, you already knew?" "Knew about what?" Rhonda asked quisitive, but Johan kept his wit and re-directed his series of questions. "Oh, nothing. I just been trying to get a hold of her but we fell out of connect. I've actually been trying to send off some baby stuff but I have no address to get it to her." "Oh, well, take my number down, hit me up later and I'll get it to you, if that's all." "Yeah, that'll be a big help." "I know y'all two were tight and all, even dating. I think it's nice of you to do something like that after all this time." "I'm a nice guy" Johan shoots a big smile. "Okay, so I'll call you later for the address?" "That's fine." "Cool, talk to you later then..."
A couple weeks later, Johan made his plans accordingly, pushing everything basketball-related to the side. College, his agent, his mother who urgently tried to get him to come to his senses of his life decisions at this pivotal moment of his life. All that was set aside for one road trip to Atlanta. Johan’s best friend, Erick, joined Johan on his journey, driving them both down south.
“Yo, E, I appreciate this man. You really didn’t have to put your plans aside and come with. I had everything I needed to get here.” “Nah man, it’s cool bro. You sticking your neck out to make something happen out here. No friends, no family, it would go on my conscious knowing I let you rolled down here by your-self.” “You make it seem like it’s a ****-show awaiting me.” “Probably.” Erick, says disgustingly. “You’re a ray of optimism, Erick.” “Look, all I’m saying is, the broad goes MIA all of a sudden, without even trying to help you understand the situation, much alone, seeing your kid. I just got a bad feeling about this.” “Heard you, loud and clear. But I don’t know. Just have a little benefit of the doubt for me.” “Yeah, aight. Whatever.”
The two reached their designated address that Rhonda relayed. “This the place?” “According to the GPS.” Erick replied. “Don’t look nobody is home though.” “Well, opportunity knocks first.” “You ready for this? Good or bad, I’m with you bro. But this could change your life man.” Johan ponders on it a moment, “Yeah, I’m ready. Whatever happens, let's just call this closure on a long-written chapter.” “Okay, Mr. Philosophy. I’ll wait here.” “Thanks man.”
Johan slowly hops out the car, making his approach up the porch, looking back at Erick, who gives him the thumbs up. With a few knocks to the front door, the door opens, presenting a big burly middle-aged man. Much bigger to Johan’s surprised, almost felt a little intimidated. “Can I help you?” The man at the door with the scruffy voice questioned. “Uh, Hi, my name is Johan. I was hoping to be able to speak with Nikita. Not sure if this is the right address.”
The man at the door stood there opposing Johan, overlooking him, almost viewing him as if he’s out of place. Moments go by with silence before the man reprieved him-self. “Hold on...” The man slightly leaves the door ajar. Johan distanced him-self from the door to a safer distance. Moments later, Johan’s eyes laid eyes on the next person to open the door, Nikita...
With an unpleasant surprise, Nikita nearly lashed out, “Johan, what are you doing here!?” “I came to see you Nikita. After all this time, I wanted to see how you are doing and also see my son.” “How the hell did you even find me?” “Why do you sound like you’ve been in hiding?” “Maybe I am.” “Cut the crap, Nikita. I didn’t come all this way for some foolery. I bumped into your friend Rhonda awhile back, she gave me your info.” “Hmm, yeah, I see I’m going to have to sever some ties back home.”
Johan wanted to press Nikita with her newfound attitude, seeing her behave this way just wasn’t he had expected, but to his discretion, he kept his cool without making a scene on unknown territory. Looking over Nikita, she’s grown a figure than he last seen her, beautiful as ever, seemingly matured, but she was different in a way, as if she was a new person.
“So, what happened, Nikita? Why did you ghost me? I’ve been trying to see you for the longest. What’s been really up?” “So, that’s what that care-package nonsense was about?” “Wasn’t no nonsense, I was genuine about that. It’s not like I could have upped and be around a kid we both made. It was the least I could do, I wanted to do. I even bought the stuff Rhonda bought for you along. Everything is in the car.” Nikita looked over to the driver seat of the car, noticing a figure somewhat waving. “Who’s that?” “Erick. I moved to Newark, met him at East side High. Cool guy. Was king enough to go out his way to bring me here.”
Nikita adverted her eyes back on Johan, noticing how much he’s grown. He wasn’t that same scrawny 16 years old kid she knew for years growing up. Two years did a lot for him. “So, may I see my son?” “No.” No? What you mean no?” “Exactly what I said, no!” “Nikita, I dragged myself all the way out here, dropping everything for this. For you, for our son. At the very least, let me see my son.” “Johan, look, I have a lot going on. I just got my life somewhat back together and you popping up out of nowhere makes me very uncomfortable.” “Oh, so I make you uncomfortable now?” “Right now, it just isn’t the time or place-”
Suddenly, another figure approached the front door, questioning the mildly loud noise. “Baby, what’s going on out here?” “Nothing, check on Jr. Please? I’ll be right inside.” The other person looks over to Johan, “Who’s this character? Everything okay?” “Yes.” Nikita responded, “Just an old acquaintance.” The man retreated to the sound of the cries, leaving the two alone once more. “So, this is what you have going on?” Nikita remained silent. “Oddly enough, you’ve been so mouthy to get rid of me, but you’re quiet now. Cats out. So, you got another man taking over my responsibility.” “Yeah, I do. He knows he’s not his father, but that’s who Jr. Knows.” “Jr... So, you named him after me?” “Yeah...”
Johan lets out a heavy sigh. To his suspicion, he almost thought the kid wasn’t his. But it was no mistaken it was his from the pictures he received in the past.
“I guess this trip was all for nothing.” “I thought I made it obvious when I stopped reaching out to you. Johan, what we had is what we had. That’s in the past now. Yes, we have a child together, but I’m not about to go stirring up and confuse my child who his daddy is.” “He’s calling him daddy?” “To be honest, yes, it pains me every time, but yes. Because I know the truth and he doesn’t.” A silence broke onto them. The aura between these two was very conflicting, invoking bad energy. “I’m trying to move on, and so... So should you.”
Johan remains quiet, having to force him-self to come to terms with the words that his nearly shattering his heart into pieces.
“I can see the sadness on your face JoJo. I’m really sorry that it couldn’t be how you wanted to be, but this is the life that was dealt. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to have a family without you. But so is such. I’m trying to make the best of it. He’s your son, but this is my family right now, this is my home. I need you to respect that...”
After a closing from Nikita, Johan took the walk back to the car, sitting inside with complete silence as Nikita turned away and disappeared into the house. Erick looks over to Johan, viewing the blank stare in his eyes. “Without a word, I already know how this turned out. You okay man?” Breaking the moment of silence, Johan humbly uttered, “Let’s go home, Erick...”