Page 51 of Kentrell

“Was it Dee’s baby?”

“Yup.” The word came tight. Her lips pinched together, and she shifted like the truth made her skin itch. “Sure was.”

I leaned forward, elbows pressing into the table, my heart beating so loud it felt like it climbed up into my throat.

“You remember the baby’s name?”

She tapped her nails against the table’s edge, thinking. “Umm… I’on know. I remember Pokie said she named her after her. Zona? Nah… wait…” Her eyes narrowed as she searched her mind. “Zah… something…”

Then—snap.

Her fingers popped like a shot.

“Zoe! That’s it. Zoe.”

My whole body locked up.

Zoe.

The name hit like cold steel to the chest.

I didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe. Just sat there… staring past her, mind moving too damn fast. Timelines folding in on themselves. Faces flashing in my head. That kiss… her mouth on mine… her voice… her smile…

The way she ain’t know. The way she walked dead into my world without realizing what the fuck she was stepping into.

My stomach flipped so hard it almost took me out my seat.

My mama caught the look on my face immediately.

“You okay?"

"Huh—yeah." I sat back and scrubbed a hand down my face, trying to pull myself together. “Just thinking about everything you said. That’s all.”

She squinted at me. “You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m good, Ma.”

But I wasn’t.

Zoe was way too close to my past than she should’ve been. Even if we never crossed paths, then. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it. More than what my mama knew.

And with Malcolm hounding me about taking him up on his offer. I knew I’d find out whatever I was missing.

I stood, pushing the chair back slowly. “Hey, I’m finna get up outta here. You need anything else?”

My mama looked like she wanted to ask what was really on my mind. But she didn’t. She just nodded and reached for the bag again.

“I’ll be alright,” she said. “Just... watch your back, son. Streets feel different lately.”

I nodded. “Fasho.”

She smiled, soft but knowing. “Don’t wait too long to come back.”

I started for the exit but paused at the door. Looked back once. At my mother. The only woman who ever laid it all down for me, and the last person who’d understand the mess I was standing in now.

Zoe.

I whispered her name in my head like a prayer I didn’t deserve to say.

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