Can't Change the Past

~36~

Shawn POV

"I signed all the papers."
"Shawn, have you opened that envelope?"
"Nah, I'm making sure my mom is straight before I head back tomorrow."
"You should really open that before you leave."
"Why?"
"I'm not at liberty to say but it would make things go over smoother."
"I'll check it later. Thanks."

"Aunt V!"
"What I tell you about walking in people's house yelling?"
"Well this is technically my house now, right?" I smirked giving her a hug.
"Yeah, yeah. What you want?"
"I came to check on my mom. Spend some time with her before we leave tomorrow."
"Well she's not here."
"Okay. What are you doing?"
"I'm packing baby. I'm moving to California."
"Really? So soon?"
"Yes, there is no need for me to be here anymore. I only stayed here to watch over you and your father. Now that y'all are both gone I can move on."
"I guess you're right."
"Have you spoken to Beyoncé?"
I sighed, "I saw her at the lawyer's office today."
"And?"
"She was short with me."
"I figured." she kept packing.
"How?"
"I told your father that he should have been the one to tell you. And-"
"Not you too Aunt V."
"Sit down."
We sat on the couch and she just stared at me. Then she handed me the same envelope that Beyoncé tried giving me a few days ago. I had left it here because I didn't want to deal with it.
"Open it."
"I don't need to."
She snatched it off the table and opened it herself, "Dear Shawn,"
"Aunt V-"
"Beyoncé is telling the truth. I told her to tell you because I might not make it to tell you myself. Don't be angry with her, Karen and I should have told you sooner. I hope this doesn't change the way you look at me. Please, go and see your mom. She has missed enough of your life because of me."
"....... let me see it." she handed me the letter. "What does he mean "because of me"? What is he talking about?"
"Did you let the girl explain?"
"All she said was that my mama ain't my mama. I shut her down after that cause it was ridiculous."
"And now? You're reading his handwriting for yourself. Shawn I know it's hard to hear but Karen is not your mother baby."
"How? How could they not tell me for all this time?!"
"Sha-"
"Who is she? Who is my mother?"
"Beyoncé is the one to tell you."
"But you know? Everybody knew except me, even Beyoncé."
"It was not my place to tell a young child that the woman who he calls "mama" is not really his mother. And Beyoncé only found out when you asked them to come and visit your dad as far as I know. He figured that you were mature enough to take the news from her, guess he was wrong again."
"Again?"
"Shawn when Beyoncé told you that her and King were snatched in Florida and trafficked, what did you do? Huh? You called your father upset because you said the girl was lying. Told him that she was making up this elaborate story just so you wouldn't take King and Aubri away from her."
"Well she did make it up."
"How do you know that for sure?"
"Because it doesn't make sense. Plus I found the note she wrote me saying she was tired of me neglecting them for work."
"Shawn that girl did not willingly leave. I can see it in her eyes and the way she is with her children. The protectiveness she has is of a woman who is afraid that someone will take her kids away."
"I don't know."
"Did you open the envelope yet?"
"No."
"Shawn I can't tell you what's in there but if you don't fix things with Beyoncé now, you might never forgive yourself."

I decided to visit my dad's grave. It's just a lot to take in. I still won't believe that my mom isn't my mom unless she tells me. That's the only woman who has been that role for me. I can't just push her to the side like that. I looked up and saw Beyoncé and her sisters at a grave, I'm assuming her brother's. I guess I was staring for a while because eventually Rasheeda came over surprisingly.
"I guess we're all here for the same thing."
"Yeah I guess."
"I'm sorry to hear about your father. I know it's not easy to lose someone so close to you."
"Thanks. It's just a lot to take by myself."
"Don't you have a girlfriend?"
"Yeah, a pregnant one."
"And you know all of our family is here for you?"
"All of y'all?"
"Okay my younger sisters are a little upset with you. But they have every right to be."
"How so?"
"Shawn, ever since you came back into Beyoncé's life you two have been at it. The only time I have seen you two be nice to each other is on the kids' birthdays."
"It's complicated, you know that."
"Everything you've questioned, she's been truthful about. Aubri, her relationship with Marquis-"
"They have a child together."
"That only came about AFTER you did what you did."
"I guess."
"Listen, despite how everyone is feeling right now, you still have children. Don't forget that."
"Rasheeda come on." I heard Solange say.
"I have to go, see you around."

"Daddy?"
"Hey Aubri." I smiled.
"Are you alone?"
"Yes."
"You want to come eat with us?"
Meghan was visiting her parents before we leave back to Florida tomorrow. So I really don't have anything to do. "Is it okay with your mom?"
"Hold on." I heard shuffling on the phone. "She said yes."
"Okay, give me an hour and I'll be over."
"See you soon!"
I hung up, got dressed and headed to dinner with the Knowles. Once I got there I was a little nervous but I don't know why. I was about to knock when the door opened.
"Well look who it is? You came to see Beyoncé?" Rasheeda smirked.
"Aubri invited me."
"Oh well she's out back with Laiya. King is with his aunts. Come on in."
"Y'all havin a party?"
"Just something to lift their spirits with all that's going on."
"Oh?"
"Not my place. Food is in the kitchen. People around everywhere, enjoy yourself."
I walked into the kitchen and saw Mama T and a lady chopping it up. "Hey Mama T."
"Well hello Shawn, I didn't expect you to show up." she said coming over to give me a hug. "This is-"
"Gloria. It's nice to meet you."
"You're Annie's mom right?"
"Yes, you came to her graduation."
"That's right. It's nice seeing you again."
"Uhm, did Beyoncé know-"
"Ma, have you seen King?" she stopped and glanced at me then put her attention on her mother.
"He's with Solange and Annie. They went to the park to watch him play basketball."
"Okay, I'm going back to the room."
"This gathering is for you and your kids. You haven't been out to enjoy it. Sit down and eat you something."
"Fine."
They left and it was just us two left. She went to fix herself a plate and what shocked me is she offered to fix mine.
"You don't have to do that. I can fix my own."
"I know but I'm offering."
"Thanks."
"So you met Gloria?"
"Who?"
"The lady who was in the kitchen."
"Oh yeah, I remember her from Annie's graduation. She was at my dad's funeral too."
"I'm sorry." she blurted out. "I shouldn't have said that at a time like that despite what I was asked."
"It's cool."
She handed me my plate and we sat down to eat. It was quiet for a little while. "New subject, why are you here?"
I sighed, "Aubri told me it was okay with you if I came over to eat with them."
"Aubrielle!"
"I can leave-"
"No, you're good."
Aubri came prancing in and then tried to turn around as soon as she saw us, "Uh un. Come here."
"Yes mommy?"
"You called your daddy over without my permission?"
"I asked you and you said yes."
"When? I've been sleep."
"I came in your room and tapped you and asked. You said 'mhm, now go away.' I asked you three times."
"You know better than to ask me stuff while I'm sleep."
"Sorry."
"And how you invite me over and not even come see me?"
"I was playing with my cousin daddy. I'm all yours now." she smiled coming to sit by me.
"Where you going?"
"Your daughter is here to keep you company now."
"So daddy, are you going to stay here like us?"
"No, I have to go back to Florida for work."
"Okay. I wish you can stay with us a little longer."
"You know I'll come visit you guys in California."
"We staying here all summer."
"Why?"
"Mommy says so but we might go visit TT and TT Solo for a little bit too."
"Wassup Dad." King said coming in with Solo and Annie behind him.
I dapped him up, "Wassup man. You good?"
"I guess."
"You guess? What's on your mind?"
"Nothing. Where's my mom?"
"She left to go outside I think."
"Alright, Aubri you wanna come?"
"What time is it?"
He looked at his phone, "Mama said we could go at 5."
"Okay, bye daddy." she kissed my cheek and left.
"Where they off to?"
"They going with Beyoncé."
"Where though?"
"Bro just leave it." Annie said.
"I can't know where they going? They are my kids."
"We'll be back."
"Aye, where y'all going?"
"Visit a family member."
"Who? All your family is here."
"Shawn, really?"
"Yes."
"My daughter. Happy?"
"She-"
"You're asking a lot of questions. I told you who we're going to see."
"Let me drop you off."
"I have my dad's car."
"Alright, well let me walk y'all out."
I got up and walked them to their car and made sure they got in safely.
"Thanks."
"Aye why y'all staying here the whole summer?"
"Because that's where we're going to be. Now if you want to see them you don't have to go so far."
"You wasn't going to tell me? Just let me waste money on a ticket and fly all the way to Cali thinking they're there?"
"You call before you book the flight so I would have told you then. Why are you trying to start an argument?"
"I'm not, I just would like to know ahead of time where my kids are going to be."
"Got it. Anything else Sargent?"
I sucked my teeth, "Go head with that."
"Goodbye Shawn."

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