Page 110 of The Last Man on Earth
“And I’m grateful toyou,” I say. “Shara told me you cashed in your retirement to hire the search team.”
“Of course I did.” He clears his throat, blinking back tears, which shocks the hell out of me. “Either you were alive out there somewhere, or you were gone. Either way, I was bringing my baby home.”
At that, I start to cry. Daddy reaches over and wipes my tears, brushing my braids back off my face.
“You’re hurt,” he says. “I can see it on your face.”
“Maybe. A little.”
“I’ll hear him out,” he says. “But ultimately, it’s gonna be about what he shows you, not what he says. Men talk a lot, and sometimes, a lotta times, it don’t mean a damn thing.”
“I remember you telling us that,” I say, sniffling. “I never forgot it.”
“Good.” He chuckles to himself. “I’ll be honest. I never saw you with a rapper.Ora younger man."
I sniff, drying my face with my sleeve.
“That makes two of us.”
Chapter 56
Vincent
My hand is steadywhen I ring the doorbell.
I’m not gon’ lie, I’m a little nervous. It’s been a minute since I met a woman’s father. Shit, Shemari’s daddy let me spend the night in their house after our first date. I ain’t really have to impress him cuz he was already impressed by the fame.
Won’t be my daughter.
Niggas gon’ have to come correct or not at all.
A big brolic nigga opens the door, and I know immediately that it’s Ari’s daddy. She stole his whole face.
“How you doin’, sir? My name is Vincent. I’m—“
“The baby daddy,” he says, his face blank. “I’m Mr. Williams.”
I stick out a hand. He makes me wait a few extra seconds before he shakes it. Firm grip. He means business.
The house is nice. A family home. Almost old-fashioned, but in a good way. He leads me to the living room. I look over all the family pictures on the way, smiling at little bucktoothed Ari in her grade school picture.
We sit.
“I’m glad it’s just us right now,” I begin. “Because I felt like I should come to you as a man and talk.”
He nods once, waiting.
I take a deep breath. “I love your daughter. And I fully intend to be a father, like actively.”
He studies me. “That all?”
“No.” I rub my palms down my jeans. “Things are real complicated for me at the moment. I wanna be with Ari, and she knows that, but I gotta take care of some things first.”
He leans back, hands clasped over his knee. “And in the meantime?”
I go to answer, but he cuts me off.
“Because I’m not interested in seeing my daughter dangling on a hook while you handle your business.”
