Just Another Secret.

Chapter 38

Keisha

One of the kids well, teens points at Kahlil, "You gave my friend's mom money in December."

"What?" We both say.

"I can assure I did not. You must be mistaken."

"No it was you. You just had a beard." The girl shrugs.

Kahlil looks a little pale. "You said December?"

"Yeah like Boxing Day."

"What's your friends mom's name?"

"Janice-"

I furrow my eyebrows, "Your aunt? Beard? Your dad?" I suggest.

"What's your friend's name?"

"Callen and Miley."

"Does Callen Swim?" He asks. They nod.

"Oh my gosh, my aunt wasn't at my meets for me. She was there for Callen and my mom didn't tell me the truth. They have social media?"

He wants to contact his cousins.

After that whole exchange we get to the point.

Keithan starts over. "Okay family. Seventeen years ago Marilyn and I were going through a very rough time. Momma. Dad. You were travelling. The day we planned to meet. I was going to do two things. One propose to my wife. And two tell you that she was expecting. And if the baby was born before that. We would've surprised you with your grandchild. But she got into that accident. The baby was delivered." Kiethan breaks down a little. "I loved that baby so much but I knew I couldn't do anything with the state Marilyn was in. As you all know I treated her. I made the choice to give the baby to someone I trust. So that I could take care of the woman I love. I watched our baby grow from a far. Her mother kept me updated. Showed me all milestones. A couple months ago I had the honour of meeting the woman she's grown into so I would like you all to meet Keisha Rae Simone. And no she is not paralyzed. I forbade her from standing because of her injured foot."

Keithan's parents immediately get emotional.

"Keithan don't be playing with my—with our feelings. You know how we felt..." they trail off.

A couple of days ago I learned that they haven't always seen eye to eye. Keithan wanted to marry Marilyn. He refused to try for another child. He had no way of knowing what pregnancy would do to her body or even if she can conceive. He didn't want to try just to find out there would be a negative outcome.

Keithan is an only child. Although. His parents played a huge grandparent role in Marilyn's nieces and nephews lives.

I grab my crutches.

"Keisha, no." Keithan says in a soft tone.

"Please?" I beg.

In defeat he nods. I walk over to his parents.

"It's my pleasure to meet you."

"Your name is Keisha?"

I smile, "I was named after Keithan and my grandfather."

Keithan's mom stands and holds my face. "You look so much like them."

"Well Momma she holds our DNA."

"Go sit your doctor butt down and let me talk to my grand baby."

I chuckle.

They look at Kahlil. "And you—"

He smiles. "I am Keisha's boyfriend. I'm just here for emotional support. She was extremely nervous to be meet you all today."

After the emotional energy of the room dies down I learn a ton about everyone. Keithan's parents own a banquet hall. Marilyn's parents were contractors. They recently retired and are relaxing. My bio cousins go to a school not too far from my own. One of them is my age. The others are younger. My bio aunts and uncles are nice. But I kinda feel like they are uncomfortable with me.