A Fathers Carol

It was Friday and Derrick Miles was ready to get off work and kick it with his boy Michael Lane. The two of them have been friends since junior high school. Every Friday was like a ritual for them to meet up after work and hang out at a bar or restaurant and just women watch. Lately their little escapades have slowed down due to Michael moving in with his girlfriend that he had been seeing for the last few months. Derrick didn’t let that stop him from making Michael get out and continue their friendly bond. He would call every week like clockwork.

“What’s up bro? Where too?” were the words, Michael would hear as soon as he answered. It all depended on how late the call came in, that would make him go or not. Some choices were great, others were ones he wishes he had choice differently.

Derrick began to call when he felt a feeling that he hadn’t felt before. He still insisted on calling even though he felt like he shouldn’t. Michael answered and knew already, he said no before Derrick could even finish. He was upset, how dare he say no to him, Derrick thought. But this time Michael stepped his foot down.

After Michael refused to go Derrick became upset, he questioned him on why he didn’t want to go. He figured it had something to do with his girlfriend. Michael told him things were different now, his girlfriend was pregnant, and he was about to make some changes in his life.

Derrick didn’t want to hear any of that, he was still a single man and didn’t have any plans on ever settling down, specially not with any kids.

As time went on Derrick and Michael grew further apart. Derrick didn’t come around as much and stopped calling every Friday after work. It was getting closer to the due date for Michael’s baby to arrive and he for sure wanted Derrick to be the God Father. Derrick told Michael he didn’t want anything to do with kids and refused to be the God Dad.

As time continued to move on and Michael became a father, his friendship with Derrick became so distant that he couldn’t remember the last time they had a conversation. Just then he received a call, and it was him. Derrick asked him if he wanted to go out to the club tonight. Michael said he had other plans but asked him if he wanted to go with them to celebrate his sons first six months of being here. Derrick refused and said he would just start hanging out by himself.

After that night the two of them did not speak for some time. Derrick was feeling like calling Michael knowing it was him who was able to attract the women. As he sat there the phone rang, Derrick thought it was Michael, but it was his girlfriend. She told him that she wanted to let him know Michael was in a bad accident and didn’t survive the crash. Derrick froze and dropped his phone; he couldn’t believe his best friend was gone.

Derrick went to bed that night as he could not get the thought of his best friend out of his head. He felt bad for not talking to him more often since he became a father. Derrick had just fell into a deep sleep when he was awakened by a loud thump. He sat up in the bed and to his surprise he saw a ghostly figure that resembled his friend Michael. He shook his head as he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The ghostly figure began to speak as he told Derrick to watch over his newborn son as if he was his own. Derrick was still shaking his head as he said no way, there was no way he was going to take care of a child. The ghostly figure continued on to say that Derrick would be visited by three other ghostly figures, Baby Momma Past, Baby Momma Present and Baby Momma Future. Just then the ghostly figure vanished and Derrick couldn’t believe his eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED