2. Keondra Daily #2
“Don’t try to put the blame on me. I told you to get an abortion.
I had nothing but respect for whatever you decided for this exact reason, Demetria.
As badly as that shit would’ve crushed me, I could’ve lived with it.
This . . . I can’t live with. The thought of you abandoning my baby girl, leaving me to be the one to explain everything to her.
” I cradled Kehlani tighter, feeling the weight of becoming a single father start to weigh me down already.
“You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to leave her.
We can work something out. I’ll do whatever I need to be in your corner, but please, don’t scar her like this. ”
Demetria’s bottom lip trembled as she came over, sweetly kissed Kehlani’s cheek, and backed away again. Without uttering a reply, I watched her trek toward her car.
“Demetria!” I called out to her before she could climb in her car. She stopped but didn’t turn around, so I continued. “If you walk out now, don’t ever think I’ll let you walk back in.”
For a moment, she stood there. I noticed the drop in her shoulders as she lifted her head to the sky.
She was pondering, and I prayed she made the right decision.
No part of me doubted myself. I knew I was more than capable of being everything Kehlani needed, but only as a father. I couldn’t replace her mother.
Glancing over her shoulder, Demetria stated, “I won’t.”
That was the last time I ever heard from or saw her. Up until about six months ago, Kehlani would ask about Demetria. She didn’t know who she was, but she understood her mother was missing from her life.
We arrived at Daily Fix, and when I got Kehlani out the truck, she dashed inside without waiting for me. If we were anywhere else, I would’ve gotten onto her, but everyone I employed was overly protective of her, so she was good.
“Chef Q! Do you have my waffles?” Kehlani all but yelled, skipping to the back with me hot on her heels.
She tried rounding the corner and going into the kitchen, but I gently grabbed her shoulders and gave her a stern expression.
“What did I tell you about the kitchen?”
Fiddling with one of her braids, Kehlani answered, “I’m not allowed back there because I could get hurt.”
“Exactly, KeKe. I know you’re excited, and you’re ready to eat, but make sure you stop to think about things before doing them.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“You don’t have to apologize, baby girl. It’s a simple mistake.” I picked her up and kissed her cheek. “Let’s go wash our hands, then sit down to eat.”
Kehlani nodded, so I took her over to the handwashing sink. Once we were done, I sat her at a table while Q brought over her food. The way her eyes lit up and she dramatically licked her lips made me chuckle. She was such a character.
While she ate, I sent my aunt a text, asking if she could pick Kehlani up from the restaurant instead.
She agreed without hesitation. Lord knows I was grateful for her.
The way she and my mother stepped in to help me raise Kehlani was a blessing.
Kehlani received the female guidance she needed in life, even if it was a little old-school.
“Daddy, why aren’t you eating?”
Grabbing a napkin, I leaned over and wiped Kehlani’s messy face before answering. “Because I’m not hungry yet. I’ll eat in a little while.”
“Are you going to get waffles like me?”
“No. I’ll probably eat some shrimp and grits.”
Kehlani scrunched her round nose. “What’s that?”
“I’ll make you some one day so you can try them. How does that sound?”
“Okay! No one cooks better than you, Daddy. Not even MiMi.”
All I could do was laugh at that.
About seven minutes later, Aunt Faith came walking through the front door. Kehlani jumped from her seat and ran to hug her. They were truly two peas in a pod. I nodded for my aunt to go back out so I could get Kehlani’s bag from my truck.
“Why you got my baby up here, Keondra?” Aunt Faith quizzed, holding Kehlani’s hand.
“She wanted some waffles.”
“You do know they feed them at the center, right? That’s something you pay for.”
“Well.” I grabbed Kehlani’s bag and shut the door. “That’s what my baby girl wanted, so that’s what she got.”
“And you talk about us having her spoiled. We simply try to live up to your expectations.”
I kissed Aunt Faith’s forehead. “Y’all exceed them. I don’t know if I tell you and Mama enough, but I appreciate y’all more than y’all know.”
“Oh, please. You know we got you, Keondra. Have you talked to my bigheaded son today?”
I chuckled. “Don’t do my cousin like that, but nah, I haven’t.”
“Well, if you do, make sure you remind him he’ll be watching my house the next few days. I need all my plants watered while me and your mother are gone.”
“If he forgets, I’ll do it.”
Aunt Faith pointed her finger at me. “No. You make him do it. If he has any excuse, tell him remember what used to happen when he forgot to take my chicken out the freezer.”
With my fist over my mouth, I laughed so hard that it made Kehlani giggle. Aunt Faith was on one which meant I needed to warn Sedrick when I saw him.
“Yes, ma’am.” I squatted with my arms open, and Kehlani ran right into them. “I love you, KeKe. Have a good day and be good.”
“I’m always good, Daddy.”
“I believe it.”
“I love you too.”
I walked them to Aunt Faith’s car, then headed back inside to my office. Payday was coming up, so I needed to make sure payroll was complete and answer some emails about upcoming events we were catering before going to work the floor.
Daily Fix turned out to be bigger than I expected, and I had no one but God to thank for that.
What started out as a small drive-through only spot quickly turned into something major.
My love for cooking and serving others put me in position to be successful.
It put me in a position to bless my daughter with a life where I could provide and give her anything without having to blink an eye.
At first, it was a bit overwhelming trying to juggle being a single dad and business owner. I wanted to pour my all into both, but sometimes, my business had to sit on the back burner. It wasn’t until my parents sat me down and told me it was okay to put my all into my dreams.
I knew it was. My problem was I was overprotective of Kehlani.
The last thing I needed was anyone else hurting her.
I hardly trusted family with her, since the woman who’d brought her into the world hurt her the worst in life.
Kehlani wasn’t able to comprehend, but eventually, she would.
I wanted to shield her from anything and anyone who possibly could do her wrong, and it was hard letting that go.
Once I did, the shift happened. Things started thriving for me, and Kehlani seemed happier being around other family members and kids. I fully let my guard down and let things be.
Life became simple on the outside, but on the inside, I was still scarred.
I wanted a woman in my life and Kehlani’s.
I wanted to love again and build a family, but the thought of someone walking out on my baby girl made me shut off.
I’d tried dating once before, and it didn’t go well.
Off rip, I let any woman know Kehlani came first in my life.
If they couldn’t handle that, then they weren’t the one for me.
So, I continued pouring my all into my daughter and business, while praying God would send the right woman at the right time.