Page 37 of Pieces of Us

I stood and glared at him.

“I hate you!” I yelled before rushing off to my room and slamming the door.

Moments later, Drue entered my room as I cried into my pillow.

“It’s going to be okay, Mo. I’m here, and I always will be.”

“I hate him, Drue.”

“Hate is a strong word, Sister.”

“I don’t care. I love Nehemiah. I know he’ll be a good dad. It’s not fair.”

“I know, but I’m here. I’ll be your baby’s daddy.”

She smiled down at me as I laid my head in her lap. My heart told me to tell him anyway, but I knew my father would have him and his family locked up. I didn’t want that for them, especially not Nehemiah. He had ambition and was going places. I would never do anything to jeopardize his future. So, with a heavy heart, I had to relent to my father’s request.

“Mommy, is everything okay?”

I hurriedly wiped my tears with the sleeve of my sleep shirt and placed the cork on my wine bottle. I looked over at Megan in the entrance of the kitchen and smiled.

“Yeah, Gingerbread. My allergies are just acting up.”

“Mom, you don’t have allergies.”

She crossed her arms and hiked her brow. I chuckled as I waved her inside the kitchen. I patted my lap, and she sat down, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her tight.

“You want to talk about it?” she asked.

“First, I want to know what you’re doing up. It’s late, and you have school in the morning.”

“I can’t sleep. It’s been three days, and Dad hasn’t been home. You haven’t been sleeping, and you’ve been crying since Mariah and I came back from Auntie Drue’s house…even though you tried to hide it.”

I sighed deeply. “You know I love you more than anything, right?”

“Of course, I do. You’re the best mom a girl could have. You know you can talk to me about anything.”

I smiled. “I do. I’m glad you said that because I need to tell you something. Sit in the chair for me.”

She stood from my lap and took a seat in the chair next to me. I took her hand, kissing the back of it.

“Things are about to change for us. I don’t want to keep you in the dark anymore about what’s going on and what has happened. You’re smart, so I know you have some sort of clue what’s going on.”

“You and Dad getting a divorce?”

I nodded. “We are.”

“Why?”

“ThatI won’t tell you, but just know that he’ll still be around for you girls. He just won’t be staying here anymore.” She was quiet as I stared at her. “What are you thinking? Tell me how you feel.”

“I don’t know how I feel. I guess I’m sad that he won’t be living with us anymore, but I know he did something to hurt you. I’m hoping that, with time, you’ll forgive him.”

“I already forgave him, but we won’t be getting back together.”

“I’m sorry he hurt you.”

She leaned her head on my shoulder as I kissed her forehead. I struggled with finding a way to tell her about Nehemiah. That clock was ticking. Friday was two days away, and I only had until then before Nehemiah made good on his promise. I closed my eyes and prepared myself to tell my daughter her origin story. Shit, this was hard.

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