My Baby's Father

By G. Dan Buford

The quintessential college relationship book is the journey of friends experiencing the ups and downs of love. It is a thematic exposition of the stock characters that are oft-represented in modern art (literature, film, etc. . .) to represent Blacks, particularly the Black male.

• Language: English
• Publisher: La Caille Nous
• Release date: Jun 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9780974531069

G. Dan Buford

G. Dan Buford grew up in New York City and has spent many years residing in other parts of the country. Though he hopes this new novel is well-received, he is still weighing the differences in writing in obscurity versus infamy.

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My Baby's FATHER

Copyright 1995 G. Dan Buford 

Published by La Caille Nous Publishing at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

also by G. Dan Buford

978-0-9718191-4-6  Separate But Equal

978-0-9745310-3-8  Blind Man and the Queen

by Guichard Cadet

0-9718191-2-2  The Canon of Loose Cannons

0-9718191-0-6  Bard From Par Taken

0-9647635-4-0  The Masks of Flipside

0-9647635-0-8  LoneWolf's Cry

Other La Caille Nous Titles

0-9718191-5-7  Pick-Up Lines  Michael T. Owens

0-9718191-3-0  Backfield in Motion  Undra E. Biggs

0-9647635-6-7  When You Look At Me  Undra E. Biggs

0-9647635-2-4  The A# Blu's  William Laurence Jones

My Baby's FATHER

a politics of Black love novel

volume 1

25th Anniversary Edition

G. Dan BUFORD

La Caille Nous

Copyright 1995; revised 2000 by G. Dan Buford

25th Anniversary Edition

All Rights Reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of reviews.

All characters and events are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. No resemblance to any person or event should be inferred, nor is intended.

Additional editing provided by Ricardy Josma and Randolph B. Morton

ISBN: 978-0-9745310-5-2 paperback

ISBN: 978-0-9745310-6-9 ebook sw

LCCN: 2022939441

Original Paperback: 

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Buford, G. Dan

My Baby’s Father: a politics of Black love novel / G. Dan Buford. - Rev. cd. p. cm.

Vol. 1.

ISBN 0-9647635-8-3 (pbk ; alk. paper)

1. African American college students—Fiction. 2. Male friendship—Fiction. 3 Young men—Fiction. I. Title.'

PS3552.U386 M9 2001 813’.54—dc21

2001029125

This book is available in print and ebook formats.

La Caille Nous Publishing Company

New York, NY

www.lcnpublishing.com

www.thebufordnovels.com

Send all correspondence to mailto:[e-mail]

Music lyrics included in text under the Fair Use Act come from the following artists and songs: Ice Cube (You Know How We Do It); Tracy Chapman (Be Careful of My Heart); TLC (Baby-Baby-Baby); Jeru the Damaja (Da Bichez); Prince & The Revolution (When Doves Cry); Tamiya Lynn (Jazz, A Rainy Day, And You); Tracy Chapman (Baby Can I Hold You); -- Mandy Patinkin and Cast of Evita (Requiem for Evita); Julie Covington / Evita (Don't Cry for Me Argentina); LL Cool J (One Shot At Love).

dedicated to Phamous, Capone, Cubby, and the K.O.S.

Table of Contents

HALF-TITLE, ALSO BY

TITLE PAGE, , COPYRIGHT, ACKNOWLDEGMENTS, DEDICATION

1 YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH

2 THE FIRST ROUND

3 WHEN YOU GIVE YOURSELF AWAY

4 DECISIONS

5 IS SLAVERY STILL IN EXISTENCE?

6 THE WOMEN OF SEMLINE

7 BLISS

8 SOMETHING IN COMMON

9 GRADUATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

10 CROSSROADS

11 UNTITLED

12 THE TANGENCY OF DIVIDED CIRCLES

13 A MONK'S LIFE

14 MY DEBT TO SOCIETY

15 TO WAKE A SLEEPING GIANT

16 THE KING'S COURT

17 WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?

18 THE TRUE WORTH OF A RACE...

19 THE NAME OF THE FATHER

20 SUNDAY AFTERNOON BLISS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

1  YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

All men are dogs! Her mother said that all the time. Her training to view men in that manner started shortly after her father left. Nothing that has happened in her life since has convinced her otherwise. This semester she had a new look to go with a new attitude. Over the summer, she earned enough to buy the dresses and get hairstyles she preferred, not the ones her mother preferred.

The Welcome Back Party was in full swing. The first male suitor did not appeal to her so she danced alone. She then felt two arms circle her waist. Breaking through the hold, she turned and said, What's your problem?

He looked shocked, Sorry. I didn't think you’d be this upset.

And why not? No one had ever grabbed her and rubbed against her. Perhaps it was this new look. She wanted to make sure, in case anyone saw what he had done, that it would never happen again. She had it in her mind to slap him for the intrusion but he did not seem that fazed by her anger. Plus, he was kind of cute, medium in height, weight and shade.

Hi. I'm Devon, but everyone calls me T.J.

That's nice.

Devon started to dance with her, Are you a freshman?

No.

Transfer?

Are you going to dance or talk? She tried to sound annoyed.

I can do both at the same time. I was hoping to meet a girl who can do two things at once. She sucked her teeth. Sorry, wrong girl. The words puzzled her. Oh, I don't mean wrong for me. In fact I'm sure you could be the right woman for me. She rolled her eyes. Would you like to be my girl? For life! Seriously!

No thank you.

If that's too long we can make it a much shorter time period.

She liked his boldness. No, thank you.

How come I've never seen you here before?

Do you go here?

No, I go to Semline College.

I guess that's why.

Devon grinned. I came to Barrington a few times last year.

For parties, right? She paused to emphasize the next words. I attend school here. Parties are not even second on my agenda.

What is? Your boyfriend?

No, gospel choir. Followed by the volleyball team...

He interrupted her, Where does your man come in?

Wouldn't it be easier to come out and ask me if I have a boyfriend?

You mean you're not here for your Mrs. degree?

Thank you for the dance. He followed her to the seating area in the back of the ballroom. Can I sit with you and continue our conversation?

What do you want?

He smiled. I told you. Your hand in marriage.

She sucked her teeth again. You don't even know my name. If you can guess the first letter...

Lucille. Lucille Patterson. Devon sat to her right and stared ahead at the crowd. He sported the coolest look Lucille had ever seen. His lips were slightly parted. His top teeth were perfectly aligned on top of the bottom ones. His eyes were half open and his brow was smooth, not one crease. He turned to her. Should I tell you your middle name?

How do you know my name?

I do my homework. I plan to get my Mister’s degree.

She laughed first.

~ ~ ~

They had left before the party ended and headed to the campus' twenty-four hour cafeteria. Later that night, when they walked into her dormitory, the friends she had gone to the party with were in the living room. Before she had a chance to introduce Devon to them, the girls said, Hi T.J. Devon returned their greeting. Minutes later, Simone entered the living room. Simone seemed surprised to see Devon. She too said, Hi T.J. then left the living room.

Lucille found it odd that Simone had not stayed in the living room. After a few minutes of small talk with her friends asking him about his summer, Devon left. She walked him downstairs, What's up? You seemed uncomfortable.

Devon faked a smile. You were right. It wasn't a good idea for me to come upstairs. I'll give you a call Sunday night. He squeezed her hands and she smiled.

Back upstairs, Lucille knew she would be the topic of conversation, mainly because she had proved her girlfriends wrong. This past summer she told them there would be a new Lucille, one who was not afraid to take risks.

She entered the living room.

What happened? Back so soon? asked Nicole.

Nothing. What do you think was going to happen?

I wasn't sure. The way you were talking before the party and the fact that you came back here with T.J.

Oh please! I only let him walk me upstairs because he insisted on doing his gentlemanly duty. Lucille laughed. Her girlfriends wanted the details. They had seen her leave with Devon and assumed...She cut them off, You know me better than that. Simone walked back into the living room. I don't even kiss in hallways. If my roommate here had not thrown up the block... Lucille giggled to show that she was kidding. I would have taken him inside, and who knows what might have happened.

Then perhaps you should thank me, sniped Simone.

Why's that?

You don't know who he is?

Devon Jefferson.

Yes. And...

Nicole interjected, T.J. Lucille still did not grasp the connection they were leading to. Remember the story that was going around about Miranda Lopez?

Simone hugged her fiercely and presided over the inevitable laughter. All five of her friends laughed. Lucille took the chiding, while preparing the unkind words she would have for Devon when he called. 

Later that night before turning off the night lamp, she thanked Simone for cushioning the blow the laughter had caused. Although Simone told her to think nothing of it, Lucille did and their friendship benefited from it.

That night she uttered the Lord's Prayer, but her mind played her mother's sermon - have faith in the name of the father because that is all a child usually has these days, the name of the father. It's the man’s fault. Men don't take this game of love seriously. It's a routine to them. They've won once. They will win again. What happens when they're not around to braid their little girl's hair? They don't think about the fact that they will not be there to teach her to shoot hoops, pool, or even a gun, in case her date does not understand the word: No.

~ ~ ~

Devon never called. At first she thought nothing of it. Lucille told herself Devon knew he was worthless compared to her, but she wanted him to admit it. He caused her to regress to the same mindset she had at this point last year. She constantly had to give her girlfriends silly excuses and clichés why she wasn't dating. Whereas her freshman year she didn't pay any attention to the gossip her suitemates reported nightly, she now paid full attention. None of the news was about Devon. If he is so bad, how come no news?

She was in the bathroom curling her hair when Simone returned from the library. What are you doing tonight? Do you want to come with us to the basketball game?

I didn't know there was a game. Simone shouted from the bedroom.

It's an away game. One of my teammates is driving.

When did you start going to away games? Who're they playing?

Semline College. Lucille heard Simone's footsteps. I know you said to think nothing of it and forget him, but I can't.

Call him and say what you gotta say.

After two months of anticipating his call, it wouldn't have the same effect. I should have called him the next day but I was sure he would call.

I don't think it's worth it. The minute you try to tell him off he'll smooth-talk you, the same way he talked you into letting him come upstairs that night.

The gym was packed. Semline students filled the home side of the gym, and Semline College alumnae and a few students from her college filled the visitor’s side. When she first entered, Lucille did not spot Devon. She knew he would be there because he'd told her that one of his closest friends was co-captain of the team. She sat on the visitor's side of the gym, paying little attention to the basketball game. At halftime, she was able to see Devon because most spectators had gone to the refreshment stand. The instant she noticed him, he waved. The gall, she thought. He continued to talk to the guy next to him. He no longer looked at her. She wondered if she should wait. No, she reasoned, he might leave as soon as the game ended.

Lucille made her way to the other side of the gym to where Devon sat. He caught her off-guard. She didn't expect him to give her a big hug, complete with a smile. Move over, Monk! Lucille, this is my homeboy Monk. Monk and I go way back, since elementary school.

She was prepared to extend her hand, but Monk only raised his head. His rudeness caused her to take a good look at him. She thought, thin as spaghetti, broad shoulders, a box head and he wears glasses. I hope he doesn't think he's fine. After saying hi to Monk, she sat between them. So, Devon! T.J.! Do you know that your initials have come to symbolize what people think of you?

Yeah, I've heard that people call me The Jerk behind my back. It's no biggie. In fact, I've gone back to using my first name when I introduce myself.

You think that alone is going to make a difference?

No, but I'm a new man.

Then why didn't you call to say that?

When I walked into that suite and recognized those girls, I knew it was over for us. Even though I don't know any of them, except on the hi and bye tip. Devon stopped to watch the last basket. I knew what kind of story they would tell about me just to hurt you. Half the things I've been through, I sincerely wish I could take back, but you, of all people, know that God put us through our trials and tribulations for a reason.

She spoke between clenched teeth. Why didn't you call?

I was waiting for you to become a new woman. She got up to leave. Devon grabbed her by the wrist. She sat back down. You think gossip is a one-way street? How do you think I learned your name?

You never said.

I was letting the past stay in the past. There was a story going around about you and a guy named Ernest.

What? Please, come better than that. I went out with him once.

Devon finished her story. He tried to kiss you good night. You refused and the next day there's a rumor that he tried to get you in a corner to feel you up.

Are you calling me a liar? Devon did not answer. Someone added the 'in a comer' part, but he did feel me up.

Interesting.

You are a jerk. She got up to leave. He grabbed her by the wrist again. She sat. I'm just teasing. So, would you like to go out next week during Thanksgiving break?

No.

Why did you come to this game? I assume you came to make the peace. Seriously! Go out with me and if you're really the nice girl you claim to be, I'll treat you like one.

After the life you've led, do you still know how to tell the difference?

Monk joined their conversation. You can always tell a good girl by her smell. Monk sneezed. Lucille laughed first.

~ ~ ~

Sophomore Year 

Spring semester

Lucille awoke due to the sudden noise outside Devon's bedroom. Devon was in the living room, studying for a final exam. She recognized the voices making the noise. It was three o'clock in the morning. Why did they have to make so much noise? Frank’s voice shouted above the others, Yo, I'm trying to get some sleep.

Monk answered, Since you're up now, come out here for a second. Devon told Monk to keep it down. Lucille was curious as to how the party Monk and Leroi attended turned out, so she stepped to the bedroom's door to eavesdrop. She heard Frank walking toward the living room. Monk was doing all the talking. You're lucky you didn't go. The party was whack. The DJ sucked and the women were fronting. I can't understand how TGI throws these weak ass parties with all the women they got. What you do all night?

I’ve been studying for this Economics final since about one o'clock, said Devon.

What time did Lucille leave? Devon answered that she was asleep inside. Monk sounded surprised. Word? You finally hit that?

No, nothing like that. We decided to catch a matinee tomorrow to spend more time together. She flies out to visit her grandmother after her last final and will not be back for a month.

Leroi started to laugh. You’re never going to hit that. Those holy rollers are not in your range.

Oh, ye of little faith. I've hit plenty like her before.

Like who? asked Monk.

Cassandra Holt. Senior year in high school.

She doesn't count. She was only a part-time holy roller. Your girl Lucille calls God - G. She starts her prayers: Yo G, it's me. Yes. Lucille Patterson. LP, five-seven, brown-skin slim girl. I used to have the church girl hairdo, with all those overlapping curls.

Lucille was definite now. She did not like Monk.

They're all sitting ducks to a great hunter like myself. Ain't that right, F? Devon asked. Frank remained silent. Devon continued, I'm not going to suffer the same fate because Ernest couldn't move her.

I just find it kinda bugged how she tried to make the brother sound like a rapist, snickered Monk.

He tried to get her in a comer to feel her up.

That’s something we all do, Leroi said, defending Ernest.

On the first date? questioned Devon.

They all started to laugh, as if giving way to their own guilt. Monk added, As long as you remain a perfect gentleman, you have nothing to worry about.

Since their first date during Thanksgiving break, Devon has agreed to her method of courtship. Earlier she was suspicious when he asked her to stay the night. They kissed and caressed, but that was all. When it was time to go to bed, Devon said good night and went to the living room. Leroi's voice interrupted her thoughts, I know you said she's a V, but some virgins be...you know for years before giving up the...

I'm not on that kick with Lucille. Plus, you know I hate a chick who can't suck it right. They spit all on your...

She couldn't believe her ears. The nerve of him, she thought. She opened the door to call Devon and ask him to explain himself. The second she poked her head out of the room, she smelled it. Are y'all smoking reefer?

They all looked stunned. Monk tried to play cool, Yeah, you want a pull?

She slammed the door. In her mind, she counted the seconds it would take for Devon to come in and explain his behavior. The guys were whispering, like they were telling each other to keep it down. She waited. When she realized Devon was not going to come on his own, she decided to call him. Lucille opened the door. This time Devon had the marijuana cigarette to his lips. She slammed the door and went to sit on the bed. The guys were laughing, except for Devon.

~ ~ ~

I can’t believe she left without saying anything. Devon was seated in the front of Frank's car. Frank agreed to drive him to Barrington because Lucille was not answering the phone.

Frank said, It was about eight in the morning when I came out to go to the bathroom. She was in the living room. She asked me if I had seen you. It sounded like a trick so I played like I was asleep and went back into my room. All you gotta say is you slept off-campus at Leroi's.

She's not going to believe that. It's too close to the Miranda story. I'm never going to live that story down. What was I thinking? Two women in a two bedroom dormitory suite. I would have pulled it off if that chick Trisha hadn't been so loud. Miranda would have bought that it was Monk next door getting busy if Monk hadn't returned early. Devon squeezed his lips, trying to figure how best to explain to Lucille why he was not asleep in the living room this morning.

As they entered Barrington Graphics & Art Institute’s main campus, he asked Frank to drop him off somewhere else. I don't have the time. I have to get back by six to meet with my study group for that final exam.

Devon countered, It’s only one-thirty. This girl Carol is mad fine. Fine and loose. I'll only be a minute.

So I’ve heard. Frank laughed. Check it. Write Lucille's number down. I'm going to the gym. I'll call at about four. Be there! Devon thanked Frank.

Carol lived in the dormitory for freshman women. Lucille lived in a dormitory that was on the same part of campus, so Devon used the back door. He had to wait until someone exited because the back entrance did not have a paging system. Carol lived next to the elevator. Good, he thought, because the hallways were long. Without making sure she was alone, he knocked. He heard her voice, Come in! Damn, he thought, as Carol said, Hey, Devon, what a pleasant surprise!

What's up Carol? Actually, I'm here because I heard Simone was going to be here. Simone rolled her eyes. Do you know where Lucille is? I've been looking for her everywhere.

He heard the disgust in Simone's voice, Have you checked the room?

No one's answering the phone. She left Semline this morning without saying goodbye. I just drove up to make sure she’s OK. He stole a quick glance at Carol. Carol rolled her eyes. Can you come and let me into the building? I need to talk to her.

Look, Devon! That is your problem, not mine.

No, my problem is making sure you keep your mouth shut about seeing me here. Come on Simone. Do me this favor just this one time.

Simone picked up her books. Carol, let's take the study break now. Come by in about two hours and we'll finish in my suite. Carol agreed. Devon let Simone walk out first then told Carol to study hard and he'll talk to her later. Simone did not say a word to him in the elevator. He too remained silent. Whereas Simone looked at the elevator door, he stared at her. He followed her out of the building, walking a step behind her. I know what you're thinking. I am not covering for you.

Cover what?

She stopped and turned at him.