“I didn’t tell you because of my pare—”
“—I don’t give a fuck ’bout yo’ parents,” I cut her off, voice sharp now. “You were grown enough to be fuckin’. You should’ve been grown enough to tell me.”
Tears hit her cheeks, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t about to let her not own up to this shit.
She wiped them fast. “I’m sorry, alright? I know I was wrong. I should’ve fought harder. I should’ve—”
“—you should’ve told me,” I finished for her. “I missed nine years. First steps. First words. All that shit. You can’t give that shit back.”
“I know,” she whispered.
I stared at her for a long time, letting the silence fill the air
“I want a DNA test.”
She jerked back like I slapped her ass
“I… what? You think I’m lying?”
“I’on know shit. That’s why I want the test. You walk back in here after damn near a decade, throw a whole child on my lap, and expect me to what? Just believe you?”
“She’s yours, Kilo.”
“Then prove it.”
She sat back in the chair, crossing her arms. “So what if I say no?”
“I’m still gone get the answers I need,” I said flatly. “One way or another.”
“This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.”
“And how was it supposed to go, Shay? You come back with a kid that you say is mine and I’m supposed to jump at the opportunity?” I shook my head. “Shit ain’t gone work out like that, love. I know you saw my girl on my phone and my son in her belly, as well as that ring on her finger. I have a life and a family already. As soon as we get the test done, Liberty will be a part of that.”
“I didn’t bring my daughter here for you to play house with her.”
“Who says I’m playing?” I cocked my head to the side waiting for her to respond. “You lost the right to try to regulate shit when you kept her from me.”
Silence filled the room as we sat in a stare off.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
I nodded once. “I’ll have the lab send you a time and place. Don’t make me come look for you.”
She said nothing as she stood to leave. I mimicked her motion, but I didn’t offer her any departing words.
***
I didn’t drive straight home after Shayna left. I couldn’t face Mel after that. My chest felt tight, my head was clouded, and I needed something that wasn’t gonna push me over the edge. Buck was out the question. He’d have something slick to say, and I’d be liable to snap his damn neck, so I went to Stacks’. I pulled into his driveway and parked beside his bike. I knocked on the door and waited for somebody to let me in. Moments later, Kasha came to the door with a smile on her face.
“Hey, Kilo. What you doing here? Where’s Mel?” she asked.
“She’s at home. I haven’t been home yet.” She gave me a look that didn’t go unnoticed. I followed her into the living room where my nephew was looking at some cartoon on TV.
“Uncle Lo!” Jet’s little loud voice bounced off the walls as he ran into my legs like a linebacker.
I smirked. “Damn, lil’ man. You always wilding, ain’t it?”
Jet grinned, mouth covered in what looked like chocolate. “I fast like Flash!”
