Page 60 of The Perfect Verse
“You know Shona.” He smirked with a tilt toward her. “She’s the queen of holding grudges, but that don’t change shit. Y’all was family then, and y’all are family now. Even made a large donation one year,” he revealed. “To the tune of one million.”
Kaleela’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. They wondered for months who’d made that donation, especially since only a handful knew she was the owner.
“By His Grace,” he repeated, referring to the name of her group home. “That’s why we made it out, still here. Part of me feels guilty about this.” He tapped her wheelchair arm, then dragged his hand down his face as he shoved away tears.
“Not your fault,” Kaleela replied, lowering her head. “Could have happened with me doing the right thing, you know. People get shot all the time, Chico. Don’t let it be all on you.”
“I’ll forever owe you… and your sister.”
“Still love her, huh?”
“Always. Just reckless, living a fast life and taking her along for the ride. Somehow, I became big-headed, my ego making me feel like how I moved wouldn’t come with consequences. Then Myriah just crept in, and before I knew it, she was pregnant. I was selfish as fuck. I hope that nigga X knows what he has.”
“He does. He makes her happy.” Chico rubbed his chest like he’d been stabbed in the heart. “If it means anything, Shona hides how she feels about you. I think she thinks she’s betraying herself more so than X.”
He lifted his head with wide eyes when she lifted her hand.
“Don’t get any bright ideas. If asked, I’m rolling with X.”
“As you should. That nigga did his thing, got you out that jam. I couldn’t ask for a better replacement,” he teased. “Let’s get in here, though. Time for you to face what you’re running from.”
She took a deep breath while looking at her group home. It housed boys and girls, a total of twelve beds. Since having a nuclear setting was important, she hired a married couple who could never have children and had been married for twenty years. They had support from shift care staff to assist with day-to-day activities, an educational coordinator, a therapist, a nurse, and even a psychiatrist. She also had maintenance staffto maintain the property and a nutritionist who made sure they had well-balanced meals. Those were all the key players she wished she had when she lived in a group home, and it ran like a well-oiled machine… without her.
“Are you at peace? You should be because none of us accomplished this. We’re rich, have plenty of businesses, but you outdid yourself, Kaleela.”
“I’m getting there. It’s why I needed someone here.” She looked at him and sighed. “I get triggered easily, even with all the therapy, but I know shit’s good. I have cameras and all, and Shonasia will stop by unannounced at times. The kids ask about me but…”
“Aye, I understand, but before we go inside, I was told to share this with you.” He pulled an envelope out of his back pocket and extended it toward her.
“What is it?”
“Open it.” He chortled, watching her grab it like it would bite. She silently began to read, her eyes slowly stretching before she covered her mouth. She leaned closer, studying each line when she read the words “termination of parental rights.”
“Seriously?”
“Chase has that paperwork, too.”
“Wait. How is this even possible?”
“Funny how a motherfucker would rather suck a glass dick than care for her children. She signed those fucking papers, surrendering her rights as long as she thought she’d have something to suck off before the ink was dry. It was hard to let that bitch live, but I’m trying some new shit. We took her out of state and put her in rehab. If she gets herself together, a house and a job will be waiting. Figured we’d start there, but she knows no contact or…”
He extended his thumb and index finger in the shape of a gun, pushing air out of his mouth.
She couldn’t believe it. Her old family, her day ones, The Crew, had come through for her.
“And I put Chase in touch with X.” He grunted. Chase was their family attorney.
“Chase will file the petition for the adoption, but he needs to clean up your record a little. The adoption won’t be contested, because who the fuck will show up? Couldn’t locate any fathers.” She sniffled, trying to keep herself together.
“What did I do to deserve all of this?”
“That.” He pointed at the group home. “And I know that’s just the beginning. Need another donation?”
She quickly lifted her eyes. No matter how much she had, she was never turning any money down.
“Run that money right now.” She motioned for him to pull his cell out, causing him to laugh. He did just that when he hit up his accountant, also known as his wife. “Two million works.”
“Damn, Kaleela. You shorted yourself. I was about to send three.”
