Affinity

Chapter 40: One Hiccup Too Many

The café ran along the length of the west wall of the space, allowing customers to view the caffeinated beverages that were being prepared along with the onsite bakery that churned out pastries daily. The rear and upper level of the building were spaces dedicated to books galore. Sitting areas were placed throughout that catered to all, ranging from busy toddlers to quiet geriatrics. I looked over each corner of my building with nervousness and happiness all mixed in one, assessing my work with both admiration and a fine-toothed comb to spot mistakes.

" Step in, you got this." It was Jay's assurance in me that prompted me to finally cross the threshold and admit that my dream was now a reality, no allusions lurked here. It was not lost on me that this moment mirrored my first time at his home where I'd viewed his abode with an open mouthed gaze. Surprise lurked in the lip movement as I viewed what, at the time, I believed to be a stranger's house; oh the folly of an onlooker's gaze.

As soon as my foot hit the bamboo lacquered floors all attention spun to me. "Hi." I waved a hand in acknowledgment as press and patrons swarmed closer to me. It was then that it dawned on me quite the spectacle I and the men who accompanied me produced. I knew without even looking each man sported proud grins, ones that could only be matched by my other biggest fan, Jazmine Ever.

" Abbie!!" As if on cue, my sister along with Trey, baby James, Trish, and our parents, walked up to me and engulfed me in a hug. I didn't immediately side eye the appearances of the oldest Evers in the vicinity, but when I didn't instantly greet them, Jay damn near knocked my head off my shoulders for me to do so.

" Aggressive ass," I muttered to Jay's back as he quickly walked off with my entourage, leaving only Jaz and I to face my parents.

" I'm so proud of you baby girl." My father had smile lines at the corner of his eyes as he pulled me into his embrace. I tried not to flinch at his likeness in tone to Hakim when he'd greeted me, but there the gut action remained as it clung to my form without effort.

" Thanks daddy." I was able to regain my breath once finally acknowledging that this was the man who'd given me life, and had done no wrong to me; besides omitting Jay's existence of course.

" I won't ask where you got the money from, but keep smart." He thumped my forehead on the way out of the hug, and I considered telling him his only son was the generous donor, but I was trying to be nice after all.

" Always." Was the only response I gave as Jaz snickered on the side of me, the same sentiment playing in my head, surely ringing in hers.

" Hi Mom." I finally let my eyes settle on my mother as Jaz broke from my side to talk to our father, her aversion of our mother a quiet stand only I could see.

" I didn't hide him Abla, I was protecting ya'll. I love Jaelyn, he is my son, but I couldn't let his absence hurt the children who I had the duty of raising." Unseen tears coated her words, and my resolve softened a bit, although my stance was still steeled in her direction.

" I know that I cannot fathom the tough decisions a parent must make for their children throughout their lives. As I am not yet a parent, I don't claim to know all that must be weighed when making decisions for a child. But, you could've had the conversation with Jaz and I once we reached adulthood Ma. There's so much behind the years lost between Jay and I that you don't know about, that even I don't know the full extent of. He's the part of me that I knew was missing but hadn't the heart to search for, that man was my phantom limb flopping in the wind."

My mother drew back from me with a pensive expression drawn on her face as she took in my words. I didn't mean to upset her so bad with my words but I couldn't hold those ill feelings in anymore, my conscience wouldn't allow it.