Episode 18

Part 80 Baby Daddy

Saturday, 3 PM. Jadon sat at a familiar spot… an outdoor table at the KFC in Hastings, Barbados. Of all the places he’d found himself over the years, this had to be the most exotic KFC location in the world. A franchise location so out of place he often found it funny. This KFC was banging! The scent of crispy fried chicken mixed with the salty ocean breeze, a strangely comforting blend of the familiar and the foreign.

Just beyond his seat, the island’s famous boardwalk stretched along the coastline, a ribbon of weathered wood flanking the crystal-clear sea. This was the same place he found Nadia the last time he was on the island. The turquoise waves lapped lazily against the shore, their rhythmic hush blending with the chatter of passing joggers and strolling couples.

Jadon leaned back on his benched seat, letting the warmth of the afternoon sun soak into his skin. The world moved at an unhurried pace here, people smiled easily, the air carried the scent of salt and spice, and the horizon stretched endlessly, meeting the sky in a seamless embrace of blue.

He watched as a group of children darted barefoot across the boardwalk, laughing as they chased a wayward coconut that had fallen from a nearby tree. A few feet away, an elderly couple sat on a bench, their hands intertwined as they gazed out at the water, lost in the kind of silence that spoke of decades together. They were what he honestly hoped he and Nadia would become. A foolish thought perhaps but that was precisely why he was there. He needed to know the truth. 

A white Nissan X-Trail rolled smoothly into the KFC parking lot, its driver scanning the area with keen eyes. The moment he spotted Jadon, they exchanged a subtle but knowing nod, silently confirming each other's presence.

The driver pulled into a space, shifted into park, and stepped out, accompanied by a young woman and a boy about the age of ten. Jadon straightened, a welcoming smile forming as they approached.

"Terry?" Jadon asked, extending a hand.

"Yeah. You Jadon?" Terry replied, gripping his hand in a firm shake.

Jadon nodded. "Good to finally meet you."

His gaze shifted to the woman beside Terry… she was stunning, her honey-brown complexion glowing under the evening sunlight. Their eyes met, and she offered a warm smile.

"This is Mel, my girlfriend," Terry introduced.

"Nice to meet you, Jadon," Mel said, reaching out.

Jadon shook her hand, returning her smile before looking at the boy standing at her side.

"And this little man here is my son, Jamal," Terry added proudly.

Jamal grinned up at Jadon, his big, bright eyes holding an uncanny resemblance to his mother’s. Without hesitation, Jadon crouched slightly and held out a fist.

Jamal’s face lit up as he eagerly bumped his fist against Jadon’s.

Jadon lingered for a second longer than he intended, caught in a quiet moment of admiration. The boy was strikingly beautiful—he had his mother’s eyes, her smooth, dark skin. Something about him stirred an emotion Jadon couldn’t quite place.

Sensing the pause, Mel gently nudged Jamal. "Come on, J, let’s go get some chicken."

With perfect timing, they turned and walked off, leaving Jadon standing there, still lost in thought.

Jadon sat at the outdoor table, elbows resting on the surface, fingers loosely clasped. The air smelled of fried chicken and warm grease, a familiar scent that didn’t do much to settle his nerves.

"Thanks for meeting me. Have a seat," Jadon said, though Terry had already settled into his chair, leaning back with an air of cautious indifference.

Terry exhaled heavily, rubbing a hand over his face as if trying to wipe away a past he had no intention of revisiting. "To be honest, if it wasn’t for Nikki, I wouldn’t be here," he admitted, his voice edged with reluctance. "She said you had questions. Said we should talk."

Jadon nodded, his fingers tapping absentmindedly on the table. "Yeah. She told me what happened to you." His tone was careful, measured… this wasn’t just about getting answers; it was about understanding a woman neither of them truly knew.

Terry leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "What happened to me, huh?" His tone was even, but Jadon could tell there was history… pain beneath the words.

Jadon looked away, a flicker of embarrassment tightening his chest. "Truth is, I really don’t know what happened," he admitted. "Now that Nadia’s disappeared, it seems like everyone but me saw the flags. I just… I just hope she’s alive, because, honestly? I don’t know."

Terry studied him, his eyes narrowing slightly. He scoffed, shaking his head. "Nadia is… complicated," he said finally. "She always has been."

Jadon turned his attention back to him, hanging on to every word.

"She grew up kind of a loner," Terry continued. "Her parents were never really around. Her mom owned a restaurant, so she worked practically every day. Her dad… well, he was in and out of the picture. Mostly out. That left Nadia home alone, a lot. I think that did something to her. Messed with how she connected with people."

Jadon frowned, absorbing the information.

Terry smirked, though there was no humor in it. "The thing about Nadia? Everyone wanted her. Guys lined up, falling over themselves trying to get close to her. But she kept them all at arm’s length, like she was allergic to attachment. She knew how to hold people’s attention without ever letting them in." He shook his head, a ghost of something bitter crossing his face. "When I met her, I knew she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. But she wouldn’t admit it. Wouldn’t give me the time of day."

Jadon arched a brow. "But something changed."

Terry nodded. "Yeah. We were about seventeen. Went on this weekend camping trip with my church. That’s when everything shifted." He let out a short, humorless laugh. "We’d sneak off into the woods whenever we could to have sex. It was intense, man. That whole weekend? I’ll never forget it."

Jadon’s jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet, letting Terry talk.

"The thing is," Terry continued, "when we were around our friends… around everyone else, it was like we were strangers. We barely spoke in public. Never went anywhere together. It was strictly physical. And, at first, I told myself I was cool with that." He paused, tapping his fingers against the table. "But I wasn’t. I wanted more. I wanted a real relationship with her."

Jadon exhaled, already sensing where the story was going. "And she didn’t?"

Terry shook his head. "Not even close. For almost two years, it was just sex. No real conversations, no dates, no feelings… at least, not on her end. It was like she didn’t want to be seen with me. And over time? I got tired of it. But every time she called, I went. Every, single, time."

Jadon hesitated. "Why?"

Terry gave him a knowing look. "Besides the obvious?! She knew what she was doing. She knew exactly how to pull me back in. And the thing is, I hated her for it. I couldn’t stand her. But I still showed up when she needed me."

Jadon let the silence stretch between them, his mind spinning.

Terry sighed. "I always went to her house. It was like she lived alone. No parents, no rules, just her. And I guess that’s why she was the way she was. She never had to answer to anyone. Never had to care."

Jadon’s grip tightened around his drink, his thoughts tangled in the weight of everything he had just learned.

Terry leaned forward, his voice low but firm. “She thought she was better than me. Always did.” His jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, Jadon could see the resentment in his eyes. “When she told me she was pregnant, I didn’t take the news well. Not because I didn’t want the kid, but because I didn’t trust her. And then? She vanished. Just disappeared off the face of the earth. No matter how much I tried to contact her, she ignored me. So I figured she made her decision… to stay away.”

Jadon exhaled slowly, struggling to find the right words. “So… you’re telling me you had no idea she went through with the pregnancy?”

Terry shook his head. “I knew a few weeks in, but after that? Nothing. She cut me off completely. If I had known, I would’ve been there. My family would’ve been there. No matter what.” His voice hardened with conviction. “But she never gave me that chance.”

Jadon frowned, his mind racing. Nadia had once told him she’d had a stillbirth. The words replayed in his head like a sick joke.

Terry scoffed, his expression darkening. “Then, one night, outta nowhere, she shows up at my door… with a baby in her arms. She was a mess. Looked like she hadn’t slept in days. She just stood there, holding this tiny kid, and said, ‘He’s yours.’”

Jadon’s breath hitched. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” Terry let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. “And you know what? I didn’t believe her. The way she moved? It could’ve been anyone’s kid. But I agreed to take a paternity test… and, sure enough, Jamal was mine.”

Jadon ran a hand down his face, overwhelmed. “And then what?”

Terry’s expression turned cold. “Then one day, she shows up, drops him off, and leaves. Just like that. No warning. No discussion. Just says, ‘I don’t want him,’ and walks away.”

Jadon sat in stunned silence, trying to reconcile this version of Nadia with the woman he thought he knew.

Terry continued, his voice laced with disgust. “She never looked back, man. Never called. Never checked in. Just vanished again. Left me to figure it out on my own.”

Jadon swallowed hard, his thoughts a tangled mess.

“Does Jamal ever ask about her?”

Terry sighed, glancing toward the restaurant where Mel and Jamal had gone inside. “Sometimes. But he doesn’t miss what he doesn’t know. Mel’s been in his life for the past five years, and she’s filled that role better than Nadia ever could.” His expression softened for the first time since they sat down. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me. He’s an amazing kid. Smart as hell. He’s got this thing for drawing… real talent, man. I don’t know where he gets it from.”

Jadon felt his stomach tighten. “Man… I asked her once if she had ever been pregnant.” He hesitated before revealing the truth. “She told me it was a stillborn.”

Terry let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Figures.” He shook his head in disbelief. “She’s good at lying. Too good. She could’ve been the perfect spy, I swear. I think she creates alternate realities just to ease her own conscience.”

Jadon rubbed his temples. His entire perception of Nadia was beginning to crumble.

Terry eyed him carefully. “So, how long you been with her?”

Jadon hesitated. “About four months.”

Terry let out a low whistle and shook his head. “Consider yourself lucky. She let you off easy.” His tone carried an unmistakable warning.

Jadon’s stomach turned. “Do you know Cyrus Ambrose?”

Terry’s brow furrowed slightly. “Yeah, I know of him. Only guy I ever really saw her with consistently. I don’t know what their deal is, but it’s clear he’s got money, and she doesn’t. That’s probably the draw…”

Jadon’s pulse quickened. “Does she ever… run into Jamal?”

Terry’s expression darkened. “Yeah. And she just keeps walking. Doesn’t acknowledge him. Acts like he doesn’t even exist.”

Jadon inhaled sharply, removing his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes. Everything about this conversation left him feeling drained, yet he knew he needed to hear it.

Terry studied him for a moment before leaning back in his chair. “Over the years, I’ve watched her reinvent herself so many times it makes me sick. My advice, bro? Move on. Consider yourself lucky. You dodged a bullet. Don’t look back.”

Jadon let his words sink in, staring blankly ahead as he exhaled deeply.

Terry stood, extending his hand. Jadon shook it firmly, still lost in thought.

“I heard you’re doing good things with my girl Nikki,” Terry said with a grin. “Respect, man. I always knew she was a star.” He let out a short laugh before clapping Jadon on the shoulder. “Take care. And be careful.”

Jadon watched as Terry walked back toward the KFC, joining Mel and Jamal inside.

He sat there for a long moment, absorbing everything. Who the hell was Nadia Gibson? And how had he been so blind?

 Part 81: The Last Goodbye

Jadon sat in the departure lounge, staring out at the tarmac as the Caribbean sun began its slow descent. The golden light danced off the wings of the planes, casting long shadows across the airport floor. This trip… this island, was supposed to be a haven, a place where he could escape, but now it felt like a suffocating reminder of everything he wanted to forget.

Everywhere he turned, a memory lurked… whispers of laughter shared, late-night conversations, stolen moments that once felt real. Now, they were nothing more than ghosts haunting the streets, the beaches, even the scent of the air. He had tried to outrun the past, but it had met him at every corner, leaving him drained and disillusioned. For the first time he began to second guess his behavior, his choices, his decisions. He inwardly acknowledged that he needed some kind of professional therapy.

His fingers tightened around his phone. This is the last time, he told himself. The last time I set foot in Barbados. Another chapter closed. Another sad ending.

Jadon exhaled sharply, pushing away the lingering negativity. He wasn’t about to sit here feeling sorry for himself. Not now. He pulled out his phone and called Nikki.

The line barely rang before she picked up.

Nikki: “Hey, Jay! How’d it go?”

Jadon: (sighing) “As good as it could under the circumstances.”

There was a beat of silence before she asked the question he knew was coming.

Nikki: “You get the closure you needed?”

Jadon rubbed his temple, exhaustion settling in. “He confirmed everything you said and more.” He hesitated before adding, “Hell, I even met her son.”

Nikki’s voice lifted in surprise. “You did?”

“Yeah.” Jadon nodded, though she couldn’t see him. “He has her eyes.” His voice dropped, laced with something close to disbelief. “I don’t know how she could just abandon him like that.”

There was a pause on the other end before Nikki spoke, her voice steady but firm. “Who knows, Jay. Just understand that she had practice… so leaving you? That was easy.”

Jadon closed his eyes. She had practice. The words hit him harder than he expected.

“I get you,” he finally admitted, running a hand over his face. “It makes me question my judgment.”

“Don’t.” Nikki’s voice was softer now, laced with something playful. “You chose me… after all.”

Jadon could hear the smirk in her tone, and despite himself, a small smile tugged at his lips.

“That’s actually why I’m calling,” he said, shifting in his seat. “Nikki, I was approached by another agent recently about you. A former colleague… someone I used to work with at Skyline.”

Nikki’s voice instantly tensed with suspicion. “And?”

“She wants to represent you in Hollywood.” He let the words sink in. “Said there are real opportunities waiting for you there.”

Silence.

Then…

“What?” Nikki practically screeched. “Who… me?”

Jadon chuckled. “Yes, you. I really think you should do it.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Are you interested?”

Nikki’s breath hitched. He could almost hear the gears turning in her head, the disbelief, the excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

“Yes.” She exhaled sharply. “Yes, of course! Jadon… are you serious?”

“Dead serious,” he assured her. “I’ll make the call when I get back. Congratulations.”

A high-pitched squeal came through the receiver, followed by a breathless, “I don’t even know what to say. Oh my God. Jadon… thank you.”

Jadon smirked, satisfied. “No problem.” He glanced at the overhead screen, his flight was now boarding. “Hey, I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Safe flight, Jay,” she said, still breathless with excitement.

Jadon hung up and leaned back in his chair. For the first time since arriving on the island, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

This wasn’t the ending he expected, but maybe, just maybe… it was the one he needed.

And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to believe that something better was waiting for him on the other side.

*****

The five-hour direct flight back to New York felt unusually short. A few hours of restless in-flight sleep had blurred the passage of time, but as the final descent began, Jadon’s mind switched back into high gear.

There was so much to do.

Top of the list… his credit dilemma. Just thinking about it was enough to make his stomach turn, but he knew he had to deal with it head-on. No more avoiding, no more excuses. Then there was Harp, he hoped his private investigator had something solid on Nadia’s whereabouts. And, inevitably, there was Cyrus. Jadon would have to confront him directly, something he had been dreading but now seemed unavoidable.

The wheels touched down smoothly at JFK, and the plane taxied toward the terminal. Jadon checked his watch. If I move fast, I can beat the crowd through immigration and customs. He had no checked luggage, no reason to linger. His airport escape was mapped out… deplane first, breeze through security, and disappear into the city before the rest of the passengers even had their carry-ons down from the overhead bins.

As soon as the seatbelt sign dinged off, Jadon unbuckled and made his move. He murmured a quick “Thanks” to the flight crew as he stepped through the jet bridge and into the terminal. The familiar, sharp scent of the airport hit him, the cool artificial air a stark contrast to the Caribbean breeze he had left behind.

Then he saw them.

A man and woman in dark suits stood at the end of the jet bridge, their expressions unreadable. Even before they moved toward him, Jadon knew.

Something was very, very wrong.

The man with salt-and-pepper hair, pulled out a badge. His partner, a younger woman, mirrored the motion.

“Jadon Jarvis?” The man asked, voice firm but not aggressive.

Jadon hesitated, his stomach tightening. “Yes.”

The agent nodded. “I’m Special Agent Flannigan. This is my partner, Agent Hernandez. Please come with us.”

Jadon barely had time to process the words before cold metal snapped around his wrists.

“Wait… what?” His voice came out sharper than intended. “What the hell is this about?”

Neither agent answered. Their grip on his arms tightened as they moved him swiftly down the terminal. His heart pounded as fellow passengers gasped and whispered, their eyes wide with curiosity and speculation.

Jadon kept his head down, his mind racing.

What the hell’s going on? This isn’t happening.