331: Stop Acting The Good Dad

"Nimo, do you want anything else before we go? Check your list and make sure everything that is on the list is in your bag.

We were working on the clock to make sure that Nimo has everything that she needs before the competition.  Her mother didn't show up the way she promised them. I wish Daniella could be honest with them. I wish she could have told them that she won't be coming home tonight instead of lying to them. They spent the whole night just waiting for her to come until I had to convince them that she got held up with work.  Brian said she didn't show up at their home and I couldn't ask my mother about anything. I need to handle this on my own. Clara said she didn't show up too. I don't know where she slept but she texted and said she is fine. Maybe it is fine I hope she shows up for the game so that Nimo can be happy for once.

"I have everything dad, is mum going to show, because I would love for her to be there."

I know she must come. I am calling her now to confirm. In case she doesn't come then we will know which lie to say next. 

         "Are you coming? Ashley wants to know if you are coming."

She clears her voice and I hear a man talking in the background asking who is calling her at that time. Seriously that is the type of person she can get as my replacement? Someone who doesn't give her some privacy and respect what she is doing? 

          "Yeah, tell Nimo that I a coming, I will be a bit late though."

I walked from Nimo and asked Ash to take the kids to the car. 

"You know just say one thing, stop making the kids wait for you then you don't show up. I am tired of lying to you, of deciding whether to tell them the truth or to keep lying to them about your stupid project. Haven't you made up your mind? The kids are now worried and I hate when they are worried."

"Excuse me, stop acting the good dad, Davids, you were not there in their seven years of life, I carried them all alone and now you think you can tell me of making decisions? No, you can't tell me, plus they are my children and I can do whatever I want with them. Don't push this."

I can't say anything. I just end the call and focus on taking Nimo for her competition. She is hoping to win this game and I don't want anything bad to happen to her. She always loves basketball and I know she is going to make it far. 

As sees me walking into the car and asks me to smile which I try because I am tired of pretending every day you know. Pretending that I am happy yet I am not. I see the kids and Nimo quickly turns her head at me. 

         "is she coming?"

"Yeah, she is coming baby, make sure you play all your best, we are here to support you. What are our T_shirt written what again?"

               "Blacks!"

Everyone choruses because that is the name on Nimo's jersey. She prefers Blacks to her name. Ashe even said that is the name she wants to be written in her Jersey when she becomes a star. She is already a star. I help her adjust everything and we head for the game. Everyone says they will be there and it is only Daniella who is not sure about being there. What a day to be here! She can't miss the game. This is Nimo's second game and she better be there because I am not going to take it lightly. I understand if she doesn't want anything to do with me but I won't understand if she doesn't respect what she says. Saying she wi be there then she fails to be there is something else. 

Arriving at the venue, Damien and The team are already there, they were booked to air out the game because it was just a small team playing.  Clara was also present with Amelia. Nimo rushed to her and couldn't help but hold the baby before she went to join the other members of her team. Mum was there with everyone else. 

Richard walked close and shook my hand before calling Nimo and saying hi.  Nimo's friends were around. Abrianna, I hope that the name of one of the Twins was the cheerleader for the junior team. She was ready and wicked at us but that was not aimed at us, it was for Rose. 

"Go say hi before she punches you."

Ash told him and I just raised my brows. Trying to locate Jade, he brought himself to me. And picked up Nimo's water bottle and the towel. I thought he was going to fail me but he showed up. I didn't want his pity, I wanted him to be there for Nimo while playing. Nimo is always psyched when he is around. 

I look around for any face of Daniella but I couldn't see any. The first team to play was the boys junior and I had sometimes to walk to the parking lot and wait for Daniella. I just hope she shows up for the game, that is the prayer that I keep repeating every time.

I walked to the parking lot and there she was, with who now? I don't even know who that man is. That is not the same student whom I beat up at her college.  She stands in front of me and the man peck's her on the cheeks. The anger rises in me more than fire in the wilderness. So she is fucking another person and here I am thinking that I am getting another get chance?

      "See you later baby, call me, I will come to pick you up."

I don't even wait for her to finish what she is saying, I throw the t-shirt and her and walk out of the place heading to the sitting area. My fist is still intact wanting to punch anything in front of me. I hate this feeling, I hate that she just throws away everything that we had and walks away from it. For how long has she been doing this? Was this when I was sick and couldn't have sex with her? Or when I was in a sling and my head was bandaged not to know what I was saying.  I see Zeke waving for me. I go to the site and behind me is the whole family plus Jade's family. I don't know if Jake forced everyone to come here but I know Nimo must bring this home.

Daniella follows and sits next to me. Ash looks at her and waves. Richard does the same. Clara and Damien are saying hi and Clara is trying to ask her to follow her to the bathroom but she shakes her head. I am left wondering what they are going to talk about. Rose has two water bottles, I think one is for his girlfriend, I don't any problem with that. Zeke is in the sit confront of me with Adrianna, they are talking while Amelia is still making some noise. 

The Junior team boys are playing their game and Zeke's school loses to the neighboring school making them second on the team.  Next is Nimo's team. Zeke holds up the sign with BLACK written, behind me, everyone is shouting her name and we are all excited for her. Daniella is also trying to shout but I am not in the mood to hear her shouting. Probably the way she was moaning for another man in bed this morning before she walked in.  Jade beckons for Nimo and she runs to him, he says something in her head and she is excited. I wave at her she waves back.

"Wave at her she needs it after you made her wait till eleven pm at night.

I growl at Daniella and she waves back at Nimo. The game kicks off and it doesn't start well. The other team had a bit taller girls and Nimo is finding it hard to win.  they are given a break and Nimon seems frustrated. I jump to the front and sit with Jade, she can't be frustrated, this is just the beginning. 

Jade hands her water. 

"Nimo, look here, you've got this, use your hands and take your height as an advantage. Don't let them mess you up, okay?"

She nods and they are back in the game. This time around people are cheering at her school and she is making a good comeback. she makes four dunks in one game and I am proud of her. They are just one point ahead of their rivals and that is not enough. 

The last game is a bit tough but Nimo tries her best and helps her team win. She is happy, more than happy. She hugs her teammates and comes to hug Jade and then me. I feel jealous now, why was Jade before me?

                 "Love you, dad, I am happy."

I am proud of her too, she makes me feel like she is everything that I need. 

"Can we add her to the senior team, one of the players is not there and we can use some help from her?"

"what about the other free members, how do you calm them again, I don't know but don't you have a backup?"

"We have but just for this game. "

Nimo is more than excited to join the team, she needs to rest first and she is given the chance. Jade doesn't seem happy with that idea. 

"what's wrong now?"

"She might slap my girlfriend again, or it might end up bloody you know."

"It's a game, they better man up."