In the middle of it all

July 10th '56

Summer vacations are normally fun. Unfortunately this year, they weren't . Each day we went to the crib because staying home was lame. We played cards, raced, and vandalized unused stores but it rapidly became boring. The worst part of all was that it had only been two weeks since school ended and, I could not begin to imagine how draining the next following days would be.

"Why are you all on your phones ? Go outside !" suggested Sky as she witnessed us sitting on the couches, glued to our phones. Izzy was laying upside down, Jordan and Tanisha were napping and Quann and Asad were playing video games. We looked at her and groaned loudly.

"Baby Iz." Izzy looks at the man who called her. " Ace wants you outside, right now." He continues.

"Oooh...Someone's in trouble." says Tyrell.

Isabel gets off the bed and walks towards the hallway. "You wish." She smirks.

"He said Iz, not y'all." comments Skylar as Nate and Tyrell stand up and follow her.

"You did say to go outside." replies Nate. I also stand up followed by Asad, Kyle, and Quann. I shrug as I walk past Sky. She rolls her eyes and walks outside with us. Isabel is standing in front of Ace and next to him is another man. He's dressed like a businessman, has light blue eyes, and blond hair. He's around 5'10ft (1,78m), leaving an obvious gap between him and Ace.

"Have you ever seen this man ?" asked Ace. Isabel shook her head. "His name is..." he twirls his hand trying to recall.

"Ha-Harry Griffiths. I'm your father."

"What ?" muttered Isabel, staring at the man, eyes wide open.

"I was gon' let her know that slowly...This...That was too straightforward." stutters Ace.

"What... I don't have a father...You said my father died, Ace."

"That's what your mother told me..." responds Ace softly. Harry lowers his head.

"I guess Lela didn't want us to meet..."

"How you know Lela ? Ace, did you tell him about her ?" says Isabel in a taunt voice.

"I didn't. He mentioned her and said that he fathered her child..."

"I know it's hard to believe but I wouldn't lie to you...I-I always wanted to meet you. Ever since I found out, I have been on the lookout for you."

"Imma let you two talk. Is-" Ace pauses. "Y'all can talk in the house."

As they enter the house, JJ number 2 and Tanisha exit. "Who's the man with Izzy ?" asks Jordan as he looks back.

"Her "apparent" father." I answer.

Isabel and Harry stayed inside the house for over 15 minutes. It was still quiet which meant that there was no fighting.

"Did my mother tell you my name ?" asks Isabel tonelessly while they walk into the living room.

"No. No, she didn't." He says. They stop walking and face each other.

"Do you still see her ?"

"I haven't seen her in over 12 years. She left me without notice."

Isabel's face lowers and she lets out a slight scoff. "Good to know... I thought she left because of me, glad to know it's a habit." She says. Harry chuckles lightly. "What'd you say was your name again ?" she continues.

"Harry Griffiths. What's yours ?"

"Isabel Gomes."

"Isabel... Just as expected from Lela..." he confesses. They stay in silence for a minute and sit on the living room couches. "I know-" He gets interrupted by Diego who walks into the living room.