“So, you not speaking?” Ellie asked.
Loyal glanced at her, and the finger he put up to halt her made Ellie cock her neck back.
“This serious business right here, E, hold up,” Loyal stated.
“I was thinking, it’s only four days until Christmas, and I didn’t see a tree the last time I came here,” Loyal stated.
“We were supposed to get one yesterday at the Christmas Tree Farm, but the day was ruined,” Tessa said, her voice dripping in sadness at the sudden reminder.
Loyal bent down so that he was at eye level with Tessa.“Yeah, I heard about that. I know a thing or two about being adopted,” Loyal stated.“Did you just learn that you were yesterday?”
Ellie’s stomach sank.“Loyal.”
“Serious business, E,” he said, but without looking at her this time.
“No, like five minutes ago!” Tessa said.
“That’sa pretty big surprise. I remember when my mom told me that the only dad I knew adopted me.”
Ellie gripped the counter as her eyes widened. She didn’t know how to stop this. She knew she should, but Tessa was fully tuned in. Loyal pulled a kitchen chair out and took a seat while pulling a chair out for Tessa.
“You’redopted too?” Tessa asked.
He nodded, smirking because she left the‘a’off the word.“Yeah, a lot of kids are. You see, sometimes, mommies and daddies don’t know how to be good mommies and daddies. My real dad, he can’t take care of me with his whole heart, so he had to let somebody else who could, make sure I had all the love I needed. So, God sent me a man who would love my mother really good, and he was so good and loved her so much, that he loved me even more. He adopted me and has been the best thing to ever happen in my life. The man you met at the basketball game the other day, he’s my stepdad, but I call him my bonus dad because he chose me.”
“But my daddy married my mommy, and he only wants Brook. He doesn’t want me,” Tessa said, eyes filling with tears. Ellie’s filled with tears, too.
“Look at me, Tessa,” Loyal whispered.“When people leave you, God replaces that love by a thousand. God didn’t choose Brook’s daddy for you. That’swhy he can’t stay. God chose you and Brook to share your amazing mom. She’s beautiful, and she loves you beautifully, and a mother’s love is so strong, you really don’t need anything else. Anybody can leave you, but as long as you have your mom, you’llalways be okay.”
“But when will God send a daddy to pick me? Like your dad step picked you?” Tessa asked.
Ellie’s chest ached because he was riding a fine line. Ellie couldn’t take anymore disappointment, and they didn’t know each other well enough for him to make her child any promises.
“It’s stepdad, and God’s getting him ready for you, baby girl, and he’s healing your mommy’s heart so that she’s ready for him too,” Loyal said.“And hegon’love you so much that itain’t gon’be no step nothing. Just a daddy to take care of you, your mother, and your sister. Until then, you have a bunch of people who love you. Your aunts, your granddad, even though he a cheater at dominos…”
“At Go Fish, too!”Tessa exclaimed, giggling.
“Then, there’s your uncle, Cass. Your sister,” Loyal named.“And me, Tess. Until I can get your mama to answer my calls, just know I’m a friend, and I’m here for you whenever you need anything, even if it’s just someone to convince your mommy to let you get more than two snacks,” Loyal said with a wink.
Ellie turned toward the sink and concealed her tears as Tessa lunged for Loyal, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Never let anybody take away that pretty smile,” Loyal said.“Now, about this Christmas tree. I think we still got time to put one up in here. What you think? You down for a trip to the Christmas Tree Farm?”
“Yeah!” Tessa shouted. Her joy had returned, and Ellie was a mess.
“Bet, go tell your papa the plan and see if he wants to come,” Loyal instructed. Tessa took off.
Ellie turned around with fire in her eyes.“Garage! Now,” she stated, as she stormed by him.
Loyal followed behind her, and she made sure the door was closed before she went the fuck off.
“Don’t ever do that with my child again,” she warned, pointing a finger as tears streamed down her face.
“She was heartbroken, E,” Loyal said.
“And that’s not your job to fix! What’s going to happen when we leave in a few days? When you disappear from her life? You just told my daughter that God sent you to be her daddy! She already has one father whoisn’t sticking around! Now, when you leave, she’llfeel like she’s not good enough for a father to stay! How dare you?!”
“E, you…”
