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"Look man, I know you probably think I want to hurt you or whatever because I'm sure everyone else thinks that too, but I just want to lay everything out with you because my sister means the world to me and I don't want to see her go through anymore pain." Jerome explained as we sat opposite each other on the back porch. "How much has she told you about life before she moved from Chicago?"
"Honestly, nothing. She's only ever said that Chicago is where she is from and where y'all live but I don't know anything more than that."
"I want her to be the one to tell you everything in detail but I've seen my sister go through so much pain and I've seen her hurt so bad that it made me hurt too. I can't ever get the memories of her screaming or crying hysterically in my arms or just being so depressed that she was silent and I never want to see her that way ever again. Loyal's father passing away was traumatic and as much as I know that she'll do just fine raising another child on her own, I can't let that happen again. Do you plan to be in this baby's life? You're not just saying that stuff for your image only to turn around and be a deadbeat?"
I frowned. "I'm very much all in with this. Everly and Loyal wouldn't be here in my home town if I wasn't serious. I never had my own dad in my life so best believe I'll be in my child's life and whatever future kids I may have."
"Wait you didn't have your dad around either?"
"Nah, he was hooked on drugs so my mama left him. Her own family was fucked up because of addiction and she didn't want me to be mixed into that. I know what that shit feels like, not having a dad around, wondering if he even cared about me or if he'd come around for at least a birthday."
Jerome sighed. "That shits crazy man. I'm sorry for doubting you, I just really don't wanna see my sister in anymore pain."
"She won't be. I promise you that."
"I also wanted to thank you for defending her in your interview." He paused when he saw my shocked reaction. "Yeah, I heard it."
"Like you just said, she's been through enough, plus her being pregnant with my baby only drove me more to do that. Trey can talk all the shit he wants about me, I don't give a fuck. As for him speaking on the mother of my child, he can dead that shit otherwise I'll lay hands on him."
"Shit you and me both." He laughed before extending his hand out to me. "So we're cool?"
"Yeah bro, we're cool."
We both stood up from our seats and made our way inside. At least that went well. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I can tell that Jerome is no one to mess with. Clearly he is protective over the ones he loves, just like I am. I can honestly see us being good friends. He seems like good company to keep. We walked into the living room and it seemed like everyone's attention turned to us - even little Loyal.
