The Preachers Daughter

Chapter Twenty

"Come on Andrew, we're going to be late!", I yelled up the steps. I swear they need to make a guide on how to raise a young man. I have no clue what is wrong and what is right, and he's only been living here for a month. Unlike his father figure, he does help me out around the house which I guess is a good thing. He's always asking me if I needed help with anything and often watched me cook in the kitchen. Had me wondering what type of impact did Latisha have on him. I've taught him more life lessons in a month than he has ever learned in the thirteen years he's been living. 

I was surprised no one questioned him about anything. With the help of Miss Rhi, I was able to get him into a school closer to the house. I had no birth certificate for him or any records I would need to register him. I still don't know how she did it but I've learned over the years not to question her. His school was a lot like the one I went to, even though it wasn't private. I was trying my best to raise him like my parents raised me, blinding him from the outside world, but it's not like I have much to go off of. All I know if what I've personally experienced. And I'm trying my best to make sure I do a good job for Zy'Air.

I still haven't spoken to him. I've tried calling up to the prison and trying to see him on visitation, but they always give me the same answer. He got into an altercation and is in the hole. What type of shit do you have to do to end up in confinement for this damn long? I didn't want Andrew hating both of his parents, feeling like they abandoned him. So, at the very least I did tell him Zy'Air was in prison. I explained to him how he was innocent and his lawyer was going to try everything he could to get him out. I didn't know how true that last part was but it was reassuring to him, so it was fine for me. 

This Sunday is going to be the first time I've set foot in the church since leaving my father's house. Not sure how people are going to receive me knowing that my father is gone. Especially because his hag ass wife is there still trying to play grieving widow. There's no telling what she put in the church member's heads about me. I honestly don't give a damn anymore what them or anyone else thinks about me. I'm only going to at least say I did something right when it comes to Andrew and that's all I'm focused on. 

I rolled my eyes and went up the steps to Andrew's room. He still hadn't come downstairs and my patience was running thin. I opened his bedroom door and smiled a little at what I saw. He was struggling to get the knot in his tie right but was getting no where. 

"Here, let me help you".

I walked up to him and he turned around to let me fix his tie. I quickly did a simple small knot and fixed his collar for him. He looked up at me and for a second, I could see Zy'Air. I know he told me he knew for a fact Andrew wasn't his, but you can never be too sure. Then again, I could be trippin'.

"Ready?", I asked him.

"Miss Zoyanna, are you and my dad married?"

"I told you, call me Zoy. And no sweetie, we're not married".

"Why not?"

He floored me for a second. I wanted to say hell your guess is as good as mine, but that would've been rude. My response was a fake smile. 

"Come on, lets get going. I don't want to miss the word".

We both walked downstairs and I grabbed my keys. The entire ride to the church I wrecked my brain on why I was doing this. Why was I going out my way to raise a son that doesn't even belong to Zy'Air? And even if he did, why do I care? Why am I still putting myself in positions to do for a man who turned his back on me? A man who stepped out of me and left me hanging like I wasn't woman enough to handle the truth. Why do I love this man so much? He doesn't deserve half the shit I do for him. I guess my heart is just too big.