Free The Trophy Wife by Ashley, JaQuavis Page B

fucked over by Moretti. He wasn’t getting paid like he needed to, and his patience was growing thin. He was working like a slave, but still couldn’t afford to cop his own crib and car. The only thing that he’d invested in was a new cell phone so that Jada would be able to reach him.
    His cell phone rang, and he flipped the face up. “Hello?”
    â€œHi, Daddy,” Jada greeted him, excitement in her voice.
    The sound of his daughter’s voice put a smile on his face. “Hey, baby girl. Daddy’s at work right now. What’s up?” He wiped the sweat from his brow.
    â€œMy recital is tonight. Are you coming to watch me dance? Mommy is coming. I want you to be there too.”
    â€œWhat time does it start?”
    â€œAt six o’clock.”
    Kalil pulled the phone away from his ear to view the time. It was already four-thirty, and he wasn’t supposed to get off work until eight. Fuck, he thought to himself, knowing that he was going to have to leave early.
    â€œDaddy, will you be there?” she repeated.
    He could hear her getting teary at the thought of him not showing up. He sighed. “Yeah, I’ll be there.” He hung up the phone and went to Moretti’s trailer to ask him for the rest of the day off.
    Moretti never even looked up from his desk. “What the fuck do you want?”
    â€œI need to leave early. I promised my daughter that I would be at her recital and—”
    â€œGet your ass back to work before I fire you,” Moretti said calmly. He still hadn’t looked up at Kalil.
    â€œWhat?” Kalil asked, feeling himself get heated.
    â€œI don’t give a fuck about your daughter. Get your ass back to work!”
    Kalil nodded his head out of anger. He had to calm himself down before he did something to land him back in prison. He’d been disrespected by Moretti time and time again, but this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He decided to fall back and leave. I’ma make sure this mu’fucka get what he got coming to him. He took off his hard hat and threw it on the ground as he walked out of the office. He couldn’t afford to just walk out on his job, but at the same time, he was a man and was tired of being degraded by Moretti. The only thing he wanted to do was be a good father and take care of his responsibilities, but it was almost impossible for him to do that in mainstream America. He only knew one way to get money and was trying to avoid that route at all costs.
    He knew that Mr. Moretti would be upset with him for ditching work, but he left anyway. He had to be at Jada’s recital, or he would never hear the end of it. He would much rather deal with the repercussions from his boss than disappoint his daughter, so when the shift manager wasn’t paying attention, Kalil slipped out.
    Kalil made sure that he stopped by the crib before he made his way to Jada’s school. He knew that he would run into London and he wanted to be fresh when she saw him.
    He walked into the full auditorium and made his way backstage. He found Jada standing in line with the rest of the girls, her long curly hair pulled up in a ponytail, and her pink ballerina skirt making her look like something out of a fairy tale.
    â€œDaddy!” she yelled in excitement as she jumped into his arms. “Where’s Uncle Quinn?” she asked, looking past his shoulders.
    â€œHe couldn’t make it, sweetheart, but he told me to give you this.” Kalil pulled a ten-dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to her.
    â€œThat’ll do,” she said smartly.
    â€œThat’ll do, huh?” he said as he tickled her. He hit her on the butt and told her to get back in line. He shook his head as he thought about how much she reminded him of Destiny.
    London asked, “You ladies ready?” Then she wished them luck and sent them onto the stage.
    When the lights in the entire auditorium dimmed, Kalil