Dark Like Me 3: Open Up

14

The celebration of Shiriki going to the army, the engagement, and me being pregnant is in full swing. Shiriki's family is huge and I've never seen so many people in one setting, not including my family. My family is large but not like Shiriki's, he had family fly in from Cuba and almost every state. Greeting everyone and having to continuously tell each family member my name and how far along I am, got tiring for me. When the greetings are finally done, I try to find a silent place to sit and put my feet up. However, everywhere I went the rooms were full of people. People are everywhere. I couldn't find Shiriki or Yuri in the crowd, so I make it to the room Shiriki and I are staying in, knowing there is peace there.

Silence greets me like a warm blanket on a cold winter day. Closing the door behind me, I plop on the bed and lay down. The music from the loud speakers downstairs penetrate the walls, it's none of the hard rap Cole listens to. It's soft, Spanish music, sounds like something someone can salsa to.

The opening of the room door makes me turn my head and it's Yuri.

"Chick, you alright?" She closes the door behind her.

"Yes, I got tired and needed to lay down for a bit."

"It can be overwhelming if you aren't use to it. At least you greeted everyone and tried to hang in there. Kimber didn't. She just sat there and snubbed everyone as if she was better than all of us." She scoffs.

Kimber Berry, there is a name I've not heard since I left college. I didn't think I would hear her name again, but I forgot the family knows her. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah. She's Anier's ex-wife. That's who she cheated on Shiriki with and Shiriki didn't talk to Anier for years because of it. As a matter of fact, they just started talking back to each other three months ago."

I raise my eyebrow. Not talking to you siblings for almost a few years? I guess Anier knowing Kimber was Shiriki's girlfriend and still had sex with her, drove a wedge between the brothers. That does justify the punishment.

"When Anier married Kimber," Yuri sits in the chair facing me, "it wasn't because Anier loved her. Oh no," she crosses her legs. "It was because Kimber was pregnant."

I've heard bits and pieces of this story, but getting it from a family member makes it more believable.

"The other children?" I ask.

"They are Anier's except for the last one. We all know that one belongs to Cole Santiago. Kimber has continuously slept around on Anier, so there were DNA testing always done to make sure she wasn't trying to play my brother."

"Trust me, Sirrah. She's not a very good person and sometimes I don't think she's a person at all."

"Hm," I rub my tummy. "Well, what else could she be?"

"The devil or his wife," she taps his chin. "Who the fuck knows."

Yuri sits by me and gently pets my tummy, "We all know how you are, Sirrah?"

"You do?"

"Yes. Shiriki told us all about you. You've been through a lot but remained strong. That's why we believe you and the little ones here will make a great addition to our dysfunctional family."

I chuckle, "Dysfunctional?"

"Psh," she scoffs, "oh, yeah. We are dysfunctional in our own way, but when one needs help we are always there to do so."

"That sounds refreshing."

"It is," she stands and stretches. "Well, I better get back to the family."

"Okay."

Yuri leaves and closes the door behind her.

Looking at the engagement ring, I search for my cell phone and find it charging on the window sill. I grab it and dial my dad's number. It rings four tims and he picks up; Roy.

"Hello? Sirrah?" He answers.

"Hey dad."

"Ah, how's my girl doing?" He sounds happy to hear from me.

"I'm doing fine. How about yourself?"

He sighs, "I'm okay. Can't complain too much."

"Dad, there is something I need to talk to you about." I deepen my tone so he'd note the seriousness.

"Okay. Wait, are you alright? DO you need money? A ride?" He is frantic.

"No, sir. I just need to talk to you."

"Can you come now?"

"I can't. But, I can next week, maybe."

"Next week," he echoes.

"I'm on vacation."

"Alright then. Maybe next week. Why not over the phone?"

"It's a face to face matter."

"Understandable. I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too."

We hang up. I can only hope he takes this news well and that he doesn't disown me for disobeying him. I figure this is my life and if it makes me happy, I'm going to do it. Regardless of what he or anyone else says.