“Our boys are getting older,” he said. “They aren’t teenagers anymore. They’re men now. They are building their own homes and their own families.”
He paused and placed his cards on the table before continuing.
“They’re getting married to strong women and they’re bringing children into this world. Their focus is on the lives they’re building now, not on the ones we built before them.”
I listened without interrupting even though I didn’t want to hear it.
Kojo’s voice remained calm.
“That is a difficult thing for fathers to accept. But it’s the truth whether we like it or not. They are grown men now and they will protect their peace when they feel they have to.”
Part of what he said settled somewhere inside me because I knew there was truth in it. Another part of me resisted the idea completely because I had always believed that family stayed connected no matter how complicated things became.
I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my hand across my beard.
“Treasure’s been gone two weeks,” I finally said.
Both of them looked at me.
“I know where she is,” I added. “Finding my wife has never been difficult, but I’ve been trying to give her time. I thought maybe if I stepped back, she would come home on her own.”
I paused and stared at the cards again.
“But I’ll admit something to you both... It’s driving me crazy.”
Kojo nodded slowly.
“She will come back,” he stated. “Treasure loves you and she loves this family. She just wants you to make things right with Kay’Lo.”
Asa tapped the edge of the table with his finger.
“And let’s not forget why she’s upset in the first place,” he laughed. “You erased Kay’Lo’s diagnosis without telling her.”
I sighed and looked at both of them.
“If it were Pressure or Renza,” I said, “both of you would have done the exact same thing.”
Asa laughed again. “No,” he replied, shaking his head. “I actually enjoy my marriage. I’m not interested in doing anything that would upset my wife like that.”
Kojo leaned back in his chair and chuckled.
“I wouldn’t have changed Pressure’s diagnosis either.”
Asa interrupted before Kojo could finish. “That’s because Abeni would have beaten you to it.”
Kojo laughed and lifted his cigar. “That is probably true.”
I took a sip from my glass and shook my head.
“Oh, I see,” I said. “So, I’m the only villain in this family.”
Asa looked at me and smiled. “Right now, you are, Brother.”
He then leaned forward slightly. “But the good news is that you can fix it. Pride doesn’t have to win this one.”
Kojo nodded in agreement.
“You should also consider making things right with Kay’Lo’s wife,” he added. “That might help more than you think.”
