Page 53 of Emani's Way

“What are you and Mama gonna do?”

“Well, honey. You need to trust your partner, and your Mama had her reasons for not trusting me, and now I have mine for not trusting her. It’s been too many years for either of us to leave. But for now, she’s going on a missionary trip to start her own church, and Zuri will be going with her. It will be good for them. We need the space.”

My Daddy just told me that they are separating without officially getting divorced. I think they should go on and sign the papers especially since the last time they separated, I showed up. But I’ll let them do things their way.

“What about Darrius? Is he still at the church?” I hate to ask, but I need to know if my forgiving father let this man stay in his life.

I haven’t been back to Mount Zion since the big announcement, and I don’t have plans on returning anytime soon. I’ve been attending another small local church for my spiritual needs. This is the first time I’ve asked my Daddy about any of this.

“No, of course, he’s not at the church anymore, honey. I fired Darrius. Last I heard, he slithered his way back to Louisiana.”

I’m relieved to hear that Darrius won’t be popping up anymore. I know that his stalking messages were all part of my Mama’s plan to take over the church, but I thought because he and Zuri had a relationship that he’d at least go with them on the mission trip. I guess that wasn’t the type of church he wanted to preach the word to. I’m just glad that all of them are out of my life. Good riddance.

“Glad to hear it.” I smile “Now, let’s go mingle. Maddox’s dad is here and wanted to see you,” I say, changing the subject. I grab my Daddy’s hand and lead him the rest of the way into Maddox’s house.

“Miles, good to see you, brother. The kids told me all about what happened. I’m glad it finally came out.” My Daddy and Joseph shake hands and do a man hug.

I look at my Daddy then at Joseph. “Wait a minute. You knew? How?”

When I look at Maddox, his brows are crumpled and he’s looking between his dad and mine. It looks like he was in the dark too.

“Joseph and I have been friends way before either of you were even thought about. He knows my darkest secrets… and I know his.” My Daddy winks.

I had no idea that the two of them were that close. Of course, because of Maddox, I knew that my dad knew his, but I didn’t realize how well. As a matter of fact, this is the first time I’ve ever seen them in the same room together. I guess if it were my business, I would know more about it, but I’m learning some things are better left alone.

“I guess that explains why a preacher needed to be onourclient list,” Maddox replies with a lifted eyebrow.

“Preachers need loyal representation too, son. Your father did my prenup. It’s a reason why Tina went the route she did to try to get the church. It was ironclad. Not even infidelity would allow her to cash in what we built together. She had to go to the court of public opinion to try to push me out.”

The more my Daddy talks, the less I want to know. There are so many twists and turns to his tale that I feel dizzy. Now that I have most of the story behind my birth, I don’t need to search for approval like I once did.

Tina Jackson raised me, but she was not my mother. She treated me differently, and I never understood why. Learning about my Daddy’s infidelity, I can almost sympathize with her. She stood by her husband but blamed the child, who was a constant reminder of her husband’s weakness.

I get it. I honestly do, but that doesn’t excuse her behavior. It doesn’t make her ill-treatment of me okay. She should’ve been woman enough to tell my Daddy to go to hell. Instead of plotting his demise, she should’ve been packing her bags.

“Well, I’m glad you were able to keep the church and come to an agreement that works for both of you.” I try my best to be diplomatic, but what I really want is for my Daddy to shun the woman who treated his child-like shit.

“Yeah, everything will be fine, baby girl. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Epilogue

1 YEAR LATER

MADDOX

“Babe, are you sure you want to go? The anniversary of the car accident is in a few days. I will understand if you want to cancel,” Emani says, placing her small hand on my face.

I kiss her palm and pull her onto my lap. “Sugar, Lena, and Frank meant a lot to me. Knowing that they were on their way from picking up Elizabeth to try to help us reconcile is all I need to get me through.”

It’s one of the only secrets I’ve kept from Emani. Well, that and the fact I beat the shit out of D.C. before Ace sent him to meet his maker. He would’ve caused me too many problems.

Neither Emani nor Dr. Jackson know that he didn’t really go back to Louisiana, and she doesn’t need to know what really happened to those three either.

Her heart is too pure for me to taint it with darkness. Besides, we needed to tie up loose ends. I would have never let D.C. walk around after he stalked Emani, and Frank, Lena, and Elizabeth knew the cost of betraying me and my father.

“Okay, if you say so. I have to be honest and say that I am looking forward to another trip to Mexico. It’s just what I need after a long fall semester.”