defense scene, and well sought after. He donned a pair of white Polo slacks, white, long-sleeved, Polo button-down, powder blue sweater vest, white, furry Kangol, and fresh, white Air Force One’s. He carried his AmEx Black Card and $2500 in cash, just in case. Boon sprayed a little Creed cologne on himself and walked out the door, got in his car and started the engine.
“DePaul, Daddy’s comin’ to homecomin’,” he said, as he turned up the “Fuck You” song by Yo Gotti and Meek Mill.
*
“So we meet again, Boon. You gon’ chump me off again?” Taz walked towards Boon, looking like a contestant on America’s Next Top Model.
“I felt disrespected. I shot back,” Boon said, defensively, as he and Taz handed their tickets to the men at the booth.
“I don’t want no trouble, Boon. You lookin’ good enough to go through, I must say.” Taz looked him up and down.
Boon was surprised, but he liked it. Taz was a welcomed sight, with her long, auburn hair and hazel eyes. The white and black Prada gauchos she wore made it look as if she had two asses.
“Thanks, Taz. You could get it too.” Boon flirted, as they walked towards the entrance.
“I might just take you up on that.” Taz winked and went toward the concession stand. Before she walked away, she turned and said, “Lemme get that number. I think I do wanna put you on the menu.”
Boon couldn’t resist. How could he? He would give Taz children, if she let him. They exchanged numbers and parted ways. Boon was having a decent day, so far, and wondered who else he might run into before the night ended. He found his seat three rows from half-court, just as the ticket holders of the three seats to Boon’s left came to claim them.
“Goose. Goose?” Boon called.
“Daniel Boon. What’s up, boy?” the man greeted. “Man, ain’t seen you since sophomore year. You been a’ight though, I hear,” Goose said.
He was black as night and weirdly skinny, with a long neck; hence the name Goose.
“I try to make shit happen, boss,” Boon said, modestly.
“Oh, guess who I saw on the way in here though?” Goose asked, widening his eyes, making himself look like Daffy Duck with his beak missing.
“Who?” Boon asked, curiously.
“Ol’ dirty-ass Zo. She wit’ her cousin, Sherie. You know, the one from Peoria.”
Boon’s heart fluttered and he looked as though he was hurt.
“Excuse me. I gotta whizz before the game jump off,” he said, as he got up and walked away from his seat.
“Somethin’ ain’t right,” Boon said to himself, as he splashed water on his face in the bathroom. “I know it’s homecomin’ weekend, but the three women I fell for are all here. Right now,” he thought aloud. He instantly thought of the doctor giving him the DNA results, proving he hadn’t fathered Zo’s baby. He quickly became infuriated. His brothers had teased him at several of the family functions that followed. I’m not staying at the game. Boon left the bathroom and headed to a local sports bar to watch the game. He was going to the frat and homecoming after-party when the game was over, so he wasn’t ready to go home yet.
The game was now over and it was party time. Boon called up Drakus and Damian, who were both supposed to meet him at the party. Drakus was married and had been for four years now. Damian was recently divorced and loving it. They were already at the party, awaiting Boon’s arrival. Before Boon could even get in his parking space good, Meek Mill alerted him of an incoming text message. It was from Taz.
Taz: Lemme b yo after party.
Boon grinned and texted back.
Boon: We’ll see.
Boon got out of his car and went to meet his brothers inside the frat house.
Once inside, the first thing Boon noticed was the effect the black light had on the party. Everybody and everything looked almost purple. The women’s shapes were even more profound. The music was blaring and you could see kegs and beer bottles everywhere. Boon walked towards the kitchen to find Drakus.
“What up, li’l bruh?” Drakus yelled over the music.
“Shit, man…runnin’ from the hoes of relationships past and shit.” Boon and Drakus both laughed. “Where Dooly at?” Boon asked, referring to Damian.
“He just walked off wit’ some skirt he just caught up wit’,” Drakus said. “Oh, yeah,” Drakus continued, as he sat his beer down and leaned in to speak in Boon’s ear, “Zo is on the hunt for you, boy. She done came to me twice to see if you was here. I’m just sayin’.” Drakus stepped back and winked.
Just as he began to reply, he was tapped on the shoulder, only to turn around and discover Zora Tucker standing before him.
“Hello, Boon,” she said.
Boon couldn’t hear her, but he knew what she said. He only nodded, as if to say, “What’s up?”
Zo mouthed something else, but Boon couldn’t hear what it was. He leaned over, so she could say it in his ear.
“Mind if we talk for a moment or two on the lawn?” she repeated.
Boon extended his arm, palm open, facing the ceiling, motioning for Zo to lead the way. Boon looked back at Drakus, who was shaking his head at his baby brother.
“I miss being here. The parties. The scenery. Do you miss college, Boon?” Zo started.
“Pretty fucked up way to open up, Zo!” Boon wasn’t about to be toyed with. Zo seemed surprised by his response.
“Well, damn. My bad,” Zora apologized. “How you like my dress?” She quickly changed the subject.
“How yo’ baby daddy like yo’ dress?” Boon retorted.
His brothers had tormented him for years, and it was on full display in his tone. Zo only hung her head.
“Boon, I can’t apologize enough for that. For the last six years, I have beaten myself up for what I did.” A single tear rolled down Zo’s cheek. “Boon, he even looks like you,” she continued.
This made Boon swell with anger.
“But he ain’t mine, Zo! You gave that twat up on me, unprotected. What, man…what you lookin’ for me for? Real shit,” Boon asked, impatiently.
Zo paused to wipe her tears and gather her thoughts. “Honestly, I was hoping we could talk about us. Maybe we could try again. Be a family.” Zo said, searching Boon’s face for his feelings.
“Are you fucking serious right now?” he asked. “You pull a fuckin’ Maury Povich on me, got the whole city of Chicago lookin’ at me like the whipping boy, and you got the nerve to ask me about us?” Boon was livid. “Yo’ us is wit’ yo’ kid’s daddy, Zo. And I’d appreciate it if you’d change
