Page 114 of Steel

“Now. I’m going to wash my ass and get me a nap in before the house wakes up.”

“Go on, girl. I’ll put a plate up for you.”

“You’re the best.”

She leaned in to kiss my cheek, but I pulled back. “I don’t know what part of Kaylynn’s body your mouth has been on.”

She laughed. “First of all, I am a pillow princess with her. She’s doing the bending, the stroking, and the eating around here.”

“I don’t need a play by play. I believe you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Bye, ho.”

She quickly kissed my cheek, then hurried upstairs. I turned back to the stove, slowly stirring my grits. My thoughts shifted back to Kerrion and what she said. Was me moving here a part of divine intervention?

Things were good right now, but only time would tell.

By the time I finished cooking, my mother was coming into the kitchen. She smiled as she came over and kissed my cheek.

“Good morning, baby.”

“Good morning, Ma. You slept good?”

“I did. Nayelli had us up ’til midnight, watching movies and playing games. I’ve missed her so much.”

“She’s missed y’all too. I’m so happy you’re here, Mommy.”

“Me too, sugga. Did you and Dinah have fun last night?”

“We did. We ended up at Silk and ran into Kerrion and his family. I had a great time with him.”

“Soooo . . .”

I blushed. “We’re in a good space. We want to work on our friendship, but we want to give this another shot.”

“And you’re okay with the past being the past?”

I nodded. “After our conversation, we have an understanding of where things went wrong. I take responsibility for my actions, and he said he forgives me.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m sure Nayelli is loving this. All we hear about is her daddy.”

I giggled. “He’s such a good father, Ma. She loves him so much in such a short time. He’s so loving and hands on with her. We spoke last night about changing her last name to his.”

“You’re okay with that?”

“I think it’s long overdue.”

“So we’re meeting him today?”

“Yes. That’s long overdue too.”

“It is. As long as you’re sure and happy, I’m okay with meeting him.” She cupped my face. “I’m glad you moved past your hurt and fear from childhood, Neha. I’ve been praying you’d do the right thing by this young man and tell him about Nayelli. Even though it was taken out of your hands, I’m proud of the way you’re handling things now. That’s growth.”

She kissed my cheek and went to make her some coffee.

She’d told me so many times that I needed to do the right thing, . . . begged me to do it, and I wouldn’t. She understood my reasons, but she told me I needed to ensure that man wasn’t like my biological father before I wrote him off and out of Nayelli’s life. So many times, she told me thatherstory wasn’tmystory.

I couldn’t expect the same fate based on what happened.