Page 102 of Full Court Press

“What’s in Tennessee?”

“Golfing trip with the original champions.” We both chuckled as they made their way toward the family room in the back. I took Kiy by her hand and led her into the living room. We both took a seat, and I leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees.

“You okay, Dad? Did I do something wrong?”

I frowned. “Nah, why you ask that?”

“You’ve been wanting to talk a lot lately.”

I laughed. “Well, there has been a lot to talk about. You remember me telling you about Piper?”

She nodded. “The lady you married.”

“Yeah, . . . that’s her car out front.”

“She’s here? Right now?”

“She is, and she’d like to talk to you. Like I told you before, though, it’s no pressure. You can move at your own pace with this, but I really love her and want her in my life.”

“Is she moving in here?”

“No, . . . but I’m hoping eventually. She won’t move in here until you’re comfortable with it.”

Kiy played with the zipper on her bag, not speaking.

“Talk to me, baby girl. How you feeling?”

“Nervous, I guess.”

“Why are you nervous?”

“Because when you started dating that fake body lady, she just came in like she ran everything. Like this was her house, and I don’t want another one of her around here. You say she’s my stepmom, but if she’s anything like that last lady, I don’t ever want her around.”

“I guarantee you that she’s nothing like Anais. She’s up there right now, nervous to meet you too. She hasn’t seen you since you were a baby, so both of you are feeling nervous about meeting each other. I’ll tell you one thing, though. She loved you more than anything. Probably more than me.”

“If she loved me, then why did she leave us?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

She nodded. “Okay. Should I go up?”

“Nah. I’m going to tell her to come down.” I kissed her forehead. “Thank you for hearing her out, but if you ain’t feeling it, I’ll let you walk away. Cool?”

“Yeah.”

“A’ight.” I stood, walked over to the intercom, and called Piper down. It only took her a few minutes before the elevator dinged, and she came walking around the corner. I could see Kiy staring at her as Piper entered with a smile on her face and misty eyes.

“Hello, Kiyanne,” Piper greeted, coming closer to us.

“Hi.”

“Your dad wanted me to come and speak to you. If that’s okay.”

Kiy nodded again. “It’s cool.”

“You got the floor, baby girl.”

Kiy looked to me then back to Piper. For a moment, she didn’t speak, then looked at Piper before she spoke. “My dad said you loved us a lot, so why did you leave us if you loved us so much?”