“So, you fuck up, but I got to pay the price? You a bitch and yo’ wife ain’t shit,” I expressed.
“Call me what you want but watch yo’ mouth ‘bout my wife. I lied about the abortion to keep you safe because regardlessof how you got here, you were still mine. That DNA test after you were born solidified it. I was there as much as I could be while Adele was pregnant though. My mama wanted her to feel accepted since she was carrying you, so she didn’t shut her out. She was big on family no matter where you came from. Adele came around on the days my wife wasn’t around and that was all my mama doing. After you were born, I gave Adele a hunnid grand, and a car to get the hell out of town.”
A hunnid grand wasn’t shit to Adele. She ran through bread like it wasn’t shit to get it back.
“I did make her a promise I’d come for you when you hit eighteen, but she moved so much, I lost track on where you were. Eventually, I gave up looking. I haven’t seen you since you were born or heard your voice since you were ten. Adele gave me an ultimatum to leave my prior family or lose y’all. I wouldn’t agree to her terms, so she cut all ties. I couldn’t see you, but she was hitting my line private every year on your birthday until the cut off. Make that shit make sense,” he explained.
Senior gave an earful, but I let him have the floor simply because I’d heard Adele’s side for twenty-three years straight. I had to admit, his was more convincing than hers. I was told the complete opposite from my mama. I couldn’t lie; the more I tried to let it all register, the faster a migraine developed. It was too much to take in at one time.
“He’s not lying, Genesis. Adele was fucked up for raping Senior and she knows it. Your aunt Sophie was already battling myxoma cancer and that just threw her stress level over the hills. She had a heart attack once she learned what Adele did and passed away before you were born. Your mother caused enough trauma, as well as chaos, and it seems like she’s unapologetic about any of it. What the hell has she been telling you?” Castina questioned with a vexed expression.
“Who’s to say y’all ain’t lying on my mama’s name to save face? Y’all got a lot to say without her being here to clear her name,” I said defending Adele even though I felt like she was the only one that lied.
The way she ran to Senior for a lawyer, the way she never had hatred for him but always for his wife and Junior said a lot. I wasn’t dumb, stupid, or slow. I been put the pieces together and now that Senior let me know she had an obsession, it all made sense. Yeah, he was wrong for giving up on finding me and being there, but Adele was deadass wrong for making me suffer all because he chose his wife over her. I had emotions flying off the meter, and I couldn’t settle on one.
I’d take the time and sort what was relayed out but right now, I was focused on his reason for being here. It wasn’t to come and tell me shit ‘bout how the fuck I was made. That was just to get me on his side. I wanted to know the real reason he pulled me out my cell.
“You spoke yo’ peace now tell me why you really here.”
“I want you in Sage Springs as an Atkins. That shit that’s floating all over the news is tarnishing my name. I can’t have that,” he stated sitting up.
“You the only one that give a fuck about yo’ name nigga. I never wanted this shit to begin with,” I threw back.
“Yonnis is getting you out soon. Come stay on the compound and meet the family. Also, my mama wrote you in her will and left you something you won’t refuse,” Senior stated ignoring everything I said.
“I don’t want shit from y’all. I been living without y’all so stop making yo’ fuck ass presence known. I’m good nigga and always will be. Aunt Castina, I’m ready for my cell,” I said standing and heading for the door.
I was over this dumbass shit. Adele and Senior had too much going on and too many lies to tell. I was literally put in themiddle of it with no one to pull me out of it. Senior wanted to right his wrongs, but the fact still remained, he shipped us off and didn’t look back. That respect would never be given. He was a grown ass man that should’ve fought for his son, but all I got in return was a bitch who bowed down to an even greater one. I had nothing for him.
CH. 13
CHEYONNE
The nerve of my son to grow so rapidly overnight. I went from a small pudge to a protruding belly once I acknowledged my pregnancy. Seemed as if he was waiting on me to come to terms with it before he showed me he was really there and thriving. My first few doctor’s appointments had come and gone with me leaving knowing the gender results.
Imagine going into your visit thinking it’ll be a test here, a test there to get you set up on your journey, but they hit you with the biggest ultrasound of all. The second she put the wand on my stomach, she laughed from the way he was positioned. It was like he wanted me to know without any mishaps what he was. I’d been in love and pain ever since.
The pain came from not being able to take the original meds prescribed to me from Dr. Frances. They were too dangerous for my son, so even though they were relieving me, they were harming him. I would go through hell if that meant I could deliver him completely healthy. My life now meant nothing without him. Tylenol was all I rocked with, and it wasn’t shit honestly.
I’d been so invested in making sure he was okay and out of harm’s way that I neglected a lot of things in my life, including the two things I loved dearly. They both were getting a visit out of me as soon as I was done catering to my baby boy. Today was glucose day and from what I’d heard from Nesh, I would either hate it or love it.
“Okay Ms. Afor, the test we’re performing today is for gestational diabetes. So far, all of your bloodwork has been normal so the test should go smoothly as well. We have a few flavors to choose from so just let me know which one you’d like. We have orange, fruit punch, vanilla, and chocolate. The orange is a popular hit nowadays.”
“That’s fine. Thank you,” I nodded, agreeing to her suggestion.
The nurse handed me the drink then said, “Once you open it, you have to drink it all within five minutes. I know it might be uncomfortable, but it needs to be done. Your blood will be drawn shortly after for more testing. I know all we’ve been throwing at you are tests, but we started this journey late so we’re playing catch up. The glucose test however is right on time. You’re twenty-five weeks now so we’re finally on schedule.”
“As long as everything comes back normal, I’m okay with being pricked and prodded,” I assured her.
I downed the sugary drink within the five-minute limit and rested on the bed. I was so glad A Woman’s Touch was as bougie as they were. The beds they serviced us on weren’t like the tables at any other clinic. These were comfortable enough to sleep in.
The hour passed by, and the test was completed. Before I knew it, I was exiting the building with Obasi blowing my phone up. Holding them off with Facetime was good while it lasted. However, they were demanding my presence now so why not show up with such good news.
Swiping my thumb across the screen, I answered his call with, “Yes Dad?”
“Your mother made eggs and Iya Festus stew. Come eat with us and give us peace. We’ve been worried,” he claimed. The thing was, I could hear the concern in his voice, and I hated that they were over exhausting themselves behind me.
“You called at a good time. I’m just leaving the doctor’s office, so I’ll be right there, Dad.”
