"Okay Marla… I think it's time you do what you know you have to do…" She heard Tinsey Martin saying as the older lady had eased out in back of the building for her break also. Marla looked up somewhat startled by Tinsey's sudden presence. Both ladies wore their long white aprons that were each equally stained with various food spillages and coloring that bespoke of the kind of work that they did. Tinsey pulled out a cigarette and lit it. She had at least 20 years on Marla- and she was straight out of the projects of Chicago with lots of attitude and flair to her personality.
"No good low down trifling riff-raff…Umph-Umph-Umph." She said in a disgusted tone while shaking her head and then she perched a cigarette between her lips pulling a drag from it. It was one of the stronger brands that had a robust and pungent scent. She blew the smoke out through her nostrils as she stood with one foot propped up against the side of the building as they looked over the decaying neighborhood. "Paternity test…" Tinsey said the two words with quiet resolution. She coughed hard and a wad of phlegm surfaced. She quickly turned her head to the side spitting it out.
"I know; I just didn't think it would come to this. I thought surely Jacob's heart would soften towards Jayden. I figured that eventually he would want to get to know his son." A small pause stood between the two ladies. Marla used this time to exhale heavily.
"I thought if I gave him some time and space… You know what I mean…" Tinsey didn't answer; she was sure it was a rhetorical question.
"I mean even if we aren't still together, Jayden is still his son." She reasoned as she fought against the lump in her throat. "I just thought that he would at least be there for his son; you know do the right thing." Marla said with hurt feelings. A few sniffles managed to escape her as she tried hard to hold back her emotions. Jacob's absentee and general indifference to his son wounded her to the core and even hurt her pride. How could he be human she contemplated.
"That's a deadbeat for you; always wanting the gushy stuff but don't wanna pay fa' shit…" Silence immediately followed Tinsey's truthful but harsh words. Both ladies briefly reflected on past mistakes in their lives.
"No one could have told me that a man could walk away from his own; refuse to take care and acknowledge his own blood." She said fighting back the strong urge to cry.