Agora Hills

thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

October 27, 2024

The morning after the Halloween party, Tookie's house was alive with the sound of bustling activity. The kitchen was a flurry of movement as friends and family gathered to make breakfast. The smell of bacon and pancakes filled the air, mixing with the lingering scent of Halloween decorations that still clung to the walls. Reeva sat at the large wooden table, nestled between Jacob and Kayla, feeling a blend of comfort and chaos envelop her.

As she absentmindedly sipped her coffee, her phone buzzed on the table, breaking through the morning chatter. It was a text from her dad, Phil, sent to the group chat that included April, Roland, Tookie, Kayla, and herself. The message came with a photo of Jonathan gently removing Tookie's makeup, a sight that looked both tender and amusing.

"This isn't what I think it is, right?" Phil had texted, and Reeva couldn't help but let out a small laugh. The image was innocent enough, but with their family, nothing ever stayed simple for long.

Kayla leaned over to read the screen, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You think it's possible?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Dad just jumping to conclusions," she replied, rolling her eyes at the notion of Phil jumping to conclusions.

"Hold on, I'm coming right now," Roland chimed in, his text bubbling in almost immediately.

The group was quick to respond, their reactions a mix of playful teasing and genuine concern. But just as they were texting, Jonathan strolled into the kitchen, looking slightly flustered. He whispered something to Trinity about Tookie feeling sick, and Reeva exchanged a knowing glance with Kayla.

"Let's check on her," Kayla suggested, and without hesitation, they got up and made their way to Tookie's room.

The moment they stepped inside, Reeva could see that Tookie was indeed unwell, her usually bright demeanor dimmed. "So, you're not going to tell him?" Reeva asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Not yet, let me think about it," Tookie replied, her eyes cast down.

"Girl, you're going to leave him hanging?" Kayla chimed in. "Papa Phil might tell him while you're thinking about it."

"He already told April and Roland," Reeva added, trying to nudge Tookie toward the truth.

"Jora knows, too," Tookie admitted, her tone heavy with reluctance.

"Then tell that man before he's the last person to find out," Kayla urged, crossing her arms.

At that moment, Phil entered the room, holding a steaming bowl of soup. "April made you some soup," he said, presenting it to Tookie with a fatherly smile.

Kayla cleared her throat dramatically. "Papa Phil, you remember that compound you wanted?"

Kayla produced a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to him. As Phil unfolded it, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Kayla! 120 acres for twenty million!" he exclaimed.

"I know it's cheap, right?" Kayla replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Kayla, sweetie, go stand in the corner," Phil said, his tone half-serious, half-joking.

Kayla pouted, but Reeva couldn't help but giggle at the playful banter.

"Get it together, people! Tookie has given me three new strands of grey hair with all these damn kids! Then Reeva, you with a man that has seven kids, and Kayla with a boy four years younger than her—what's next, Roland? What are you doing with your life?" Phil said, throwing his hands up in exasperation.