Page 81 of Ascension

Dr. Morgan smiled quietly, jotting something on her notepad. “I think this is a good place to pause for today.”

We didn’t rush out of the room right away. Caleb cracked a joke about needing to sage the house before Dad tried to pop up again. Calil offered to “accidentally” leak Dad’s hairline photos to the press if he crossed the line. And Mom just kept holding my hand, her thumb brushing over my knuckles like she was trying to make up for all the years she hadn’t known how.

When we finally stood, I realized my shoulders felt lighter.

For once, I wasn’t carrying the secret.

I was just Calla, daughter, sister, woman in love.

And for the first time, that felt like enough.

By the time I got out of therapy, my head was buzzing, but not in a bad way, more like a heavy, overfull way that comes after saying everything you’ve held in for years. I needed air, food, and a solid plan. As we were heading to our cars, I told my brothers to meet me at Big Earl’s so we could talk about Sr.

“Do I need bail money or a Bible?” Caleb asked.

Calil responded, “I’m bringing both.”

I rolled my eyes, but the smile came easily. Typical. “See y’all there.”

I also sent a quick text to James:

Me: Meet me at Big Earl’s. I need you to hear what’s going on with my dad, professionally and personally.

Big Daddy:Say less. I’ll be there.

Yes, I had James saved in my phone as Big Daddy, because his uncanny ability to know when to submit and when to lead made him the kind of man who only comes around once in a lifetime. Big Earl’s BBQ was exactly as loud and smoky as it always was, old Motown on the speakers, football highlights on the TVs, and a smell that could make grown men cry. Caleb and Calil were already there, ordering drinks and appetizers to share.

“Damn, y’all couldn’t wait?” I said, sliding into the booth.

“You were driving too slow,” Calil replied, “We know all your favorites here.”

James showed up a few minutes later, wearing that calm, composed look that fooled everyone who didn’t know him. My brothers sized him up immediately, like two wolves deciding if the newcomer could hunt.

“Black, Lil, what’s good?” he greeted smoothly, sliding in next to me.

Caleb grinned. “One half of the duo that has my baby sister in love and skinnin’ and grinnin’ and shit.”

James smirked. “It’s gone stay that way too, I plan to keep a smile on Calla Black’s face until it’s double C’s around here.”

Confused, I asked, “Double C’s?”

“Yeah, baby, Calla Carter, act like you know,” James said, causing my body to flush with heat as I tried to hide the smile on my face.

Calil leaned forward. “Treat Calla like the star she is. Understand the terms: hurt our sister, and we’ll remove you from the family tree. No refunds.”

James didn’t flinch. “Noted. But you won’t have to worry about that. Your sister is my world, her and Amiyah.”

Both of them paused, clearly not expecting that level of sincerity.

Caleb nodded slowly. “Alright, points for confidence.”

Calil raised his glass. “And survival instinct.”

The table erupted into easy laughter, tension gone as quickly as it had appeared.

I filled them in on everything after Dad’s visit to BlackSphere, including the dossier Lennox had put together and all the slimy, pathetic details. By the time I finished, both my brothers looked like they were seconds away from declaring war.

Caleb’s jaw tightened. “I always knew he’d come for me eventually. But trying to blackmail you? He’s lost it.”