Solar nodded. “Your Daddy’s sleep. I left him a note, said I was gettin’ some air.”
Aku pulled her inside. “C’mon.”
They walked through the hallway in silence until they stepped into Noodle’s old room. Solar clicked on the lamp and looked around like she was stepping into a memory.
“You still keep it clean,” she said, voice low.
Aku just nodded and went straight to the drawer where she kept a stash of random toiletries and things she never used, but didn’t throw away. She grabbed the box and peeled off the wrapper.
She’d texted her Mama earlier telling her to come alone in about an hour. There was something she needed to do, but only wanted to do it with her favorite girl.
Solar blinked. “That a pregnancy test?”
Aku didn’t answer, just walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
It felt like the longest three minutes of her life.
She paced, sat on the toilet, stood up again, and splashed her face with cold water. Tried to pray but the words wouldn’t come. When the timer on her phone buzzed, she hesitated before turning it over.
Two lines.
She walked back into the room slowly, test in hand. She didn’t even say anything at first…just held it up.
Solar’s eyes welled immediately. “You pregnant?”
Aku nodded, a ghost of a smile lingering on her face.
“I don’t even know how far I am,” she whispered. “I mean, I got a feeling but?—”
Solar stood and pulled her in close, wrapping her arms around her daughter. “Oh, baby…”
Aku’s chin trembled. “Please don’t tell Daddy.”
Solar laughed through her tears. “You know I keep the best secrets.”
Aku pulled back, smiling despite the tears. “Don’t I know it.”
They sat down on the edge of the bed, still holding each other.
“I wanted to wait. I wanted things to be perfect. But nothing’s perfect.”
“No,” Solar said, brushing a curl out of her face. “But love like this? It’s real. That’s better than perfect…that boy love your dirty drawls. I see that shit all on his face.”
Aku nodded, resting her head on her Mama’s shoulder.
Her world was about to change, and somehow, she wasn’t scared.
Not anymore.
chapter 23
. . .
Malik trekkedout of his car on a mission. He was at Pharoah’s house to get some things straightened. He’d allowed a lot too long. But when it came to Aku, it was time for him to put muthafuckas in their place.
He didn’t knock this time. Instead, he used his key to walk right in. Yes, Malik paid the bills and kept food in the house, but he always knocked on the door because it wasn’t his home.
Inside the house, his eyes bounced around before he made his way to Quesha’s room.
