“No? But had you not kept the shit to yourself, we wouldn’t be here now, would we?”
Liberty’s eyes shifted between us. I looked down at her and softened my tone.
“She just wanted to meet her father. That’s all.”
“She got him,” Kilo said. “But don’t play like you brought her here just for that. You think I ain’t peep how you moved?”
“We’re not doing this in front of her.” Mel interrupted.
Kilo looked at her, then back at me.
He stepped close, towering like always, and dropped his voice until it was just for me.
“Don’t play with me, Shayna. I don’t care what you thought was gone come from this outside of me building a relationship with my daughter, but don’t play wit’ me, shorty. I’ain never been that nigga.”
I stiffened. “I’ain come back for nothing other than that.”
“Good,” he said. “Keep it that way.”
Liberty tugged on his hand. “Are we done?”
He nodded and crouched again to her level. “Yeah. You did good, mama.”
She beamed. “Can we get ice cream?”
Kilo smiled faintly. “We’ll see.”
Mel touched his arm. “We should get going.”
Kilo looked at me one more time. “You’ll hear from me when the results come in.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Can I go with Kilo and Mel, Mommy?”
I looked at her, then up to Kilo. His bore into mine and I saw the danger that was housed within them.
“Uhm, maybe another time. How about we go get ice cream?” I offered.
“It’s cool. I’ll take her. Just follow us there.”
Liberty’s eyes lit up before she gave me a quick hug before slipping her hand into his.
The three of them walked off like they were one big happy family while I stood behind…alone.
***
I sat in my car, parked in the parking lot of the ice cream shop. I didn’t even get out right away. I needed a minute to myself. I could see them through the window… Kilo, Liberty, and Mel,sitting at one of the round tables inside like they’d done this shit a hundred times before. Like it was normal. Like that was her family.
Liberty was grinning, talking Kilo’s ear off, waving her spoon like she was giving a full rundown of her life story. He leaned back, listening, a small smirk playing on his lips like he couldn’t believe how much she reminded him of himself. Mel sat beside them, cool and calm, belly full and round, gently smiling as Liberty showed her something on her phone.
That was supposed to be me.
I should’ve been the one on the other side of that glass. Laughing with my man. Watching our daughter talk his head off. Being the woman by his side, not on the outside looking in like some damn stranger. But I did this… I kept Liberty from him. I let my parents’ shame me into silence, let my pride hold me hostage. I didn’t want him to think I was just like every other chick he’d messed with back then. I didn’t want to be a burden while he was locked up. And now, watching them? It was like the entire world moved on without me. My daughter found the piece of her she’d been missing all her life… and she found it in them. I watched as they finished up. Kilo helped Liberty throw her cup away. Mel rubbed her back. Liberty leaned into her like it was nothing, like she already trusted her.
When they walked out together, I had to turn away for a second. My eyes burned. I hated how soft Kilo’s hand looked on Liberty’s shoulder. Hated how easy it all seemed.
That should’ve been my life.
