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I sat back in the chair, while Keisha worked through my braids, undoing them one by one. Phone pressed to my ear, Jas voice came through clear.
"Nah," I muttered, shaking my head even though he couldn't see me. "Just let her mom walk free. I'm not gonna do anything to her. Feel like Onika would maybe...still give her a chance one day."
Truth was, all of me wanted her gone — after everything she put Onika through, after the way she abandoned her when she needed her most.
My first instinct was to handle it the same way I handled Kevin.
Quick. Permanent.
But for the first time in a long time, something in my chest told me not to. I don't ignore my instincts often, but I did.
Me and Jas talked a little longer before I hung up, letting the line go quiet. I opened my emails to distract myself, scrolling past the usual junk until one caught my attention. A school had reached out, wanting me to come through and speak — about life, my accomplishments as a boxer, about being a man who's been knocked down and got back up.
I leaned back in the chair, reading it twice. I hadn't put myself in front of the world much since I lost that fight. Been laying low, moving silent. But something about it felt right. Like maybe it was time to step out again, show up. I typed an email back letting them know that I would come through.
That's when I heard light steps coming down the hall. I glanced up, and there she was — Onika, head down, phone in her hand. I smirked before I could stop myself. My baby was improving every day. Stronger. Brighter.
"Mama," I called out.
Her head lifted, eyes meeting mine. "You okay?" I asked, arms spreading a little, telling her without words to come here.
"Yes, I'm okay," she said softly, slipping her phone into her pocket as she crossed the room. "Are you?"
I looked at her for a second, taking in the way she asked, the care in her tone. My head dipped once.
"I'm cool, yeah."
She nodded, finally stepping into me and leaning her head on my shoulder. My arms wrapped around her waist slow, holding her there. For a second, I just rubbed her back in circles, breathing her in.
Her fingers slid up into my hair, tugging at the undone braids with a curious little smile. "Your hair grows so fast," she said, lightly pulling at a strand to see the length.
A small chuckle left me. "Yeah, it does that."
"What style are you getting this time?" she asked, tilting her head like she was already picturing me in something new.
