“Yeah, that sounds like a plan. I’m going to join y’all too.”
We walked along the sidewalk and back to the car.
As we loaded the baby into the car seat, my phone chimed, and from the notification, I knew it was an email. I checked it, and the subject line caught my attention immediately.
DNA RESULTS.
I made it a priority, after getting rid of the Quatar family, to put an end to the wandering about whether Gio was my real father or not. My mama called me, pushing for me to do it every day, up until the point where I also thought it was necessary.
When I opened the email, I didn’t feel nervous, I didn’t feel scared, I was just ready to know. I got in the car, cranked it and drove off with one hand and scrolled to the bottom of the message with the other until I came across the chart.
99.8% probability.
This nigga Gio really was my dad.
Pernelle could tell something had hit me.
“What’s wrong with you, baby?”
“Nothing, just found out that Gio is my real daddy.”
“Damn. For real? I didn’t even know you took the test. When did you take the test?”
There wasn’t much that Pernelle didn’t know about my life these days because I told her everything. She was my confidant and main source of venting since she seemed to listen to me without judgment. She knew how much I hated the idea of finding out if Gio was my dad. She never tried to force me to take the test like my mama did. She told me to do it when I felt it in my heart, which I did.
“I did it two weeks ago, at my mom’s house. We did the swab there and sent the shit in.”
“Oh wow.”
“Yep. According to this email, Gio is my father, but I don’t know. Something in my gut still doesn’t want a relationship with that nigga.”
“If you feel that in your gut, then listen to him. But I don’t know. Maybe talking to him will clear a lot of things up for you guys.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Is he still staying at your mama’s house?”
“Yeah. She is still nursing him back to health or whatever.”
“You know your mom is so sweet, Crew. She really sees the good in everything. I hope when I’m her age, I’m like that.”
“Yeah, shid, me too. But she also needs to rub off that positive vibe on her negative ass daughters; that’s for damn sure.”
She laughed, and I went into deep thought for a minute.
“You know what? I’m going to drop y’all off and slide over there for a minute. I don’t want to take y’all because I don’t want my daughter around that nigga yet. You know I’m picky about who I bring around my princess.”
“I am too. People are crazy. My mama got mad last week because I wouldn’t drop her off with her at my aunt’s house.”
“Let her and whoever else stay mad. That’s precious cargo back there.”
“You haven't ever lied.” Pernelle leaned over the seat and kissed me on my cheek before I turned and met her lips with one more kiss.
I dropped Pernelle and Amira off at home and then headed to my mama’s crib to talk to this nigga after I called ahead and made sure, he was there.
When I pulled up, Gio was already on the porch, shirt off, lying back like he was home. Next to him was a six-pack of Bud Ice and a couple of cans on the stoop that showed me he was probably already on his level.
I killed the engine and stepped out right before he stood up.
