“Yeah! We’d love to come. I’ll get the info from my boys.” The excitement in Travis’s voice made my heart smile. “We’re gonna get out of here. Baby girl, they’re gonna come take care of your tires, alright.”
I smiled. “Thank you so much. Um, just let me know how much I owe you.”
His face tightened. “Please don’t offend me, Gorjess. Regardless of the circumstance, you’re still my daughter.”
Well, I guess he got me together.I had nothing to say to that. He grabbed his wife’s hand, and they walked to their vehicle. In silence, I watched him back up, then pull off.
Solomon kissed my temple. “You have to start somewhere, baby. Let me help you start.”
I turned in his arms, wrapped my arms around his neck, then kissed his lips. “I’m going to fuck you so good tonight.”
His brow arched. “Oh, like that? Well, let me see where we are with these tires. I got to call my ma too and let her know we’re having a family cookout this weekend.”
My mouth dropped. I knew he didn’t just commit his family to a cookout. He was too much, that was alright. I needed all of that.
Answers To My Questions . . .
I was so nervous. Today was the day that I would be in close proximity to my biological father. I knew that we would have to talk. Mrs. Prue already let me know that she wanted me to use the inside of the house for our conversation so we could have privacy.
When Solomon called her to let her know what happened and that he invited them to an imaginary cookout, she just said no problem. In less than three days, they managed to put together a cookout that equaled a large family reunion. All of Solomon’s family were here, along with my brothers, sister, and best friends. There was a pig roasting in the spit roaster, card games were happening, the music played in the background, and it was just a good time.
An arm wrapped around my shoulders. “They’re pulling in now. Are you ready?” Vanessa asked.
Over the months, we’d gotten close. I never thought that I would have a sister sleepover. Athena and I never had one. Well, I guess that made sense now that I knew she was my real mother. Her distance from me all of my life made sense now.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Do I look alright?” I changed my outfit at least five times. Solomon literally had to fuck me to get me to stop. I appreciated him and his dick’s effort to support my mental health.
Vanessa turned me around to face her. “Sis, you don’t have to impress them. They already love you. Even my mom. She told me one time that when her and my dad started dating, he told her that when he got you back, if she didn’t accept you that they wouldn’t work out.”
“Oh, wow!” I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. I knew that whatever the feeling was that it would be good.
Seconds later, Prue came into the kitchen where Vaness and I stood. Behind her were Travis, Irene, and Sharon. All of them had smiles on their faces. Irene held a dish in her hands. “Jess, I think you know these people. Irene and Sharon, how about I take you ladies out and introduce you to everyone so Travis and Gorjess can have some alone time. Vanessa, bring your ass too.”
Travis kissed his wife on the lips, then his mother on her cheek. Irene walked over to me with the pan in her hand. “When you were a baby, you loved my bread pudding. Your pediatrician used to fuss at me at every appointment because he said you were overweight. I didn’t give a damn because if my grandbaby wanted bread pudding, then I was going to give her bread damn pudding. I’m not sure if you still like it, but I made you some. I hope you like it.”
She placed the pan on the kitchen island countertop. She kissed my cheek after I told her thank you. The women left the house through the back door. I took a deep breath before I faced Travis.
“Um, we can have a seat over here,” I told him. I led the way to the living room. I jumped up from my seat. “Oh, I am so rude. Did you want water or something? We have liquor too.”
He tittered. “Gorjess, I’m fine. You can sit down, baby girl. So, Solomon Leota? I hope he’s treating you right.”
My cheeks warmed at the thought of my man. “He’s so perfect. I love him so much.”
“I’m so happy to hear that. All I ever wanted for you was you to be loved unequivocally.” I saw the truth of his words in his eyes.
“We have the same eyes.” My nervousness made me point out the obvious. At least, it was obvious to me.Ask the question you really want to know, Gorjess? “Why didn’t you look for me?”
He sighed. “I always knew that question would come. I went over how I would answer it in my head a million times. For the first two years, I did as much as I could. I couldn’t really mix with the police, because I was in the streets heavy, and they were on my ass. At nineteen, I told myself that if I got locked up, I wouldn’t do you any good. I believed in my heart that I would find you one day. I just never thought it would take this long.
“My name wasn’t on your birth certificate, so legally, I didn’t have any rights. What your mother did wasn’t considered kidnapping. Hell, even if my name was on there, that still wouldn’t have been enough from what I was told.”
He asked me whether Athena and James treated me well. I guess Brenda told on herself and how she treated me, so there was no need to ask about her. My cheeks rose to reveal my smile. “My dad was amazing.” I realized my words. “I mean my?—”
Travis raised his hands. “You don’t have to disregard him as your dad. I accept that I am only your biological father right now. I hope that eventually you can see me as a second dad.”
I appreciated that more than he would ever know. “Thank you. My dad was so amazing. He loved me intensely and has always been there for me. He’s the reason that I have my business. He gifted it to me after his death.”
“Vanessa told me aboutGorjess Pups. It’s amazing to find something that you love and be able to sustain yourself from it.” He pointed at my neck. “I see your butterfly.”
