“You’re not my real mommy?” Tessa asked.
Ellie had to turn her head away from Tessa to stop her sobbing.“I’m not the woman who birthed you, but I am your mother. I will always be your mother. I adopted you, Tess, which means I chose to have you as my daughter forever. Nothing will ever make that change, and I love you the same as I love Brooklyn.”
“Did Brooklyn grow in your tummy?” she asked.
Ellie hated the question because she knew that it automatically created a hierarchy.
“She did, baby, but you are just as much mine as she is.”
“So why am I not Daddy’s too?” Tessa asked.
“Your dad is wrong, Tessa,” Ellie said.“Your dad didn’t leave just you. He left me. He left me, and he signed up to take care of me forever, too, but that’s okay. I know God is watching, and God will straighten him out in His own time for not keeping his promises. But even when a man breaks his promise, know that does not mean you are to blame. That does not mean you are not worth loving. You are made of love, and I will always be here to give you love and to take all the love you have to give me. I’m sorry this hurts you, but I’m here to hold your hand always. I’m here to answer any questions you have, always. I’m here for you and you live inside my heart, even though you never lived inside my tummy. My heart is what counts, and you and Brooklyn own the whole thing. You have one half, and she has the other half, equally. Nobody has a bigger piece. Okay?”
“So where is the woman who grew me in her belly?” Tessa asked.
“I don’t know, baby, but when you get older, if you ever want to know her, I will help you find her, and even then, nobody can change the fact that you are my daughter, and I am your mother. Forever and ever. Right?”
Tessa nodded, and Ellie sighed. Nothing felt settled. She was so unnerved. She knew she would be for a while until she was sure that Tessa was okay. Her father walked into the room.“You’ve got a visitor,” he said.
“I’m not expecting anybody,” Ellie stated. She stood and went to the kitchen window.
“I don’t know anybody who has aCybertruck, Papa,” she said, frowning because the car was like a damn spaceship. She couldn’t see through the windows. When Loyal climbed out of the car, she shook her head. It was a different car than the one he had been driving the other night. She looked down at her outfit. She was in mom mode. Jeans and a sweater that hung loosely down one shoulder. She didn’t even have on makeup or her contacts. She wore her glasses.
“Tell him I’m not here,” Ellie stated.
“Tell who?” Tessa asked.
“Nobody, baby,” she said.“Keepquiet.” Ellie put her finger to her lips to hush Tessa.
“Why we avoiding him?” Papa asked.“Do he need some straightening?”
Ellie smiled and shook her head.“No, Papa Bear, he didn’t do anything wrong. I just have a lot going on right now. I can’t focus on him right now. And I’m not dressed.”
Papa walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek then bent down to kiss Tessa.“You beautiful, baby,” Papa stated.“But I’llget rid of the li’l nigga. Unless my nigga trying to run it back, then yougon’have to suck it up because that’s my boy.”
Ellie wanted to protest, but Papa was already headed to the door, and she would have to raise her voice too much to get his attention.
“Well, if itain’t the man who turned my pockets inside out,” Loyal greeted with a laugh so genuine Ellie had to stop herself from giggling.
“How you doing,son?” Bishop greeted.
“I’d be doing better if your daughter would throw a nigga some rhythm,” Loyal stated.
“She difficult like her mama was,” Bishop said.“Told me to tell you she wasn’t here, but I got to throw my guy a bone. She don’t know what’s good for her, anyway. Come on in.”
Ellie scrunched her face in embarrassment as Loyal came walking into the house behind her traitorous-ass father.“Really, Papa?” she confronted.
`“The man needed to see his woman. Who am I to keep a man from his lady?” Bishop asked.
Ellie shook her head and sighed.
“Hi, Loyal!” Tessa’s voice was full of excitement, and Ellie looked down, surprised because her mood had been somber all day. She was grateful for that much.
“What’s up,Tess?” Loyal greeted.“So, I’ve got an idea, baby girl, and I need you to tell me if it’s a good idea or not.”
“What is it?” she shouted.
He still hadn’t spoken to Ellie, and she stood there, arms crossed in front of her.
