Page 9

CASHMERE

T he last person I expected to see was Kairo here on the island, and I almost pissed myself when his voice crept up from behind me.

I had heard his voice in my conscience almost daily, be it a hallucination at the grocery store or in my dreams at night.

My eyes scanned the row for KJ, and I prayed that he played with whatever toy he had found just a little longer.

But my prayers went unanswered when he came running toward me.

I knew that as soon as Kairo laid eyes on him, he would know that KJ was his.

My baby was his twin, from his complexion and height to his little attitude that I had tried so hard to correct.

That realization is precisely what happened.

I had called Kairo many times over the years to tell him that we had a son, but I never found the courage to speak the words when he answered.

I didn't know if he was going to be mad at me, harm me, or try to take him.

A little over three years ago, when he popped up at the business meeting and beat that man within an inch of his life, I had made the decision that I was done with him.

Thank goodness those outside cameras didn't catch the exchange between us because I told the police I had no clue who the assailant was or what the altercation was about.

The last time I checked, the guy never recovered and was living in a nursing home.

That wasn't the first time that Kairo had pulled a stunt like that, and for months, I had let it go.

I wasn't blind to his temper, but I had rationalized his behavior by comparing how gentle he was with me.

Still, I knew it was no excuse to keep his child away from him.

I didn't even know I was pregnant when I moved to Kentucky.

For years, I had been told that I couldn't have children.

I had been in a marriage for eighteen years without a single pregnancy scare.

But after passing out and being told that I was five months pregnant, I had a lot to sort out.

The breakup was fresh, and I was in the process of rebuilding my life.

I kept saying I would call him so that he could be at the birth, but that never happened.

The universe has a funny way of making you face your demons. Because here in the flesh was mine.

"You got some fucking explaining to do." He gritted, and I couldn't fault his anger. I would be pissed with me too. All I could hope was that he didn't show out too badly in front of KJ.

"Ro, right now is not a good time." I reasoned as I held my baby tightly.

"When the fuck is a good time? Another three years!" He blew up and scared me half to death. KJ started crying, and only then did his eyes soften, and he blew a big breath out.

Tears rolled down my eyes, and I could see the hurt in his.

I hoisted KJ on my hip as I looked up at him.

His face had changed so much since I last saw him, but he was still as handsome as sin.

I washed KJ's tears, and he laid his head on my shoulder.

Ro's chest heaved, and I knew that he was probably fighting the urge to break me in half.

"You gave him my name but couldn't tell me he existed? You don't think I would've taken care of my child?" He stepped towards me, and I took a step back. Still holding on to KJ tightly.

"I just wanted to move on with my life! I could've gone to prison!" I yelled back, and KJ cried again.

"I," he mocked me. "You selfish as fuck. What's that shit that you told me? When you love somebody, you don't do that to them. Look what you did to my son, he needs his fucking dad." He seethed.

"KJ honey. Stop crying, baby. Can you look at his face and tell me who this is?" I asked as I bounced him to soothe him. He used the back of his hands to wash his face as he looked at Ro. His little eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"My daddy's home from school?" He gasped.

A tear rolled down Ro's face. He smiled at KJ and reached his arms out. His eyes shot to me, silently daring me to ruin their moment. I knew I had no choice but to give him his child. He brought KJ into his embrace for a hug.

"Yeah, man, I'm home from school." He said as KJ all but choked him.

I wiped the never-ending trail of tears from my eyes as I sat back and watched their interaction.

From my peripheral, I could see someone hastily coming our way.

It was a younger woman whose face held confusion.

She sported a pixie cut and was dressed for a vacation.

Her maxi dress flowed freely as she hurried in our direction.

"Baby, what's all the commotion about? And whose kid are you holding?" She crossed her arms and scowled at me. Kairo was too wrapped up in KJ to answer her right away.

Up close, even with her face sour, this woman calling him 'baby' was beautiful.

Her presence tugged at my heart, but it was unrealistic to think that Kairo wouldn't have moved on in the three years that had passed.

I disappeared; he had every right to. I was quiet as I looked at the anger on her face because it wasn't my place to answer her concerns. I would let him handle that.

"Do you not hear me?" She asked again as she nudged him before turning to me. "Ma'am, what business do you have with my husband?"