CHAPTER 10 #6
Daddy chuckled low in his chest and rested his hand on the top of my head, rough but warm.
“So, you tha one keepin’ my baby company while I been gone?”
Mia grinned.
“Well, I mean somebody has to.”
The whole world seemed different, like the air shifted simply because he was standing there. I stayed close to him, afraid if I stepped back too far, he might disappear again. Mama appeared in the doorway. Her face hardened the second she saw him.
“Anthony,”
She spoke quietly, almost under her breath. There was no warmth in it. No surprise either. That’s the worn-out sound of someone who had seen this scene play out too many times before. Daddy glanced up at her and gave that same smirk he always used when he knew he was wrong.
“Denise.” He said like he had been out for a pack of Kools, not gone for months.
They scanned each other for a long second. A whole history sitting in that silence. Mama stepped aside.
“Don’t stand out here making a scene,” her voice carrying nothing but exhaustion.
“Come inside.”
The house was warmer with him in it, like the curtains been pulled open and the sunlight let back in. Daddy dropped a plastic bag onto the kitchen table.
“Brought y’all sum’n,” he announced, proud of himself.
Inside was brand-new sneakers, two pairs for the twins and one for me.
Tucked in the bottom was a small gold chain meant for my neck.
There was a gift for Shay too, it stayed sitting there on the table.
Shay was hardly at home anymore. Saiyd whooped like Christmas came early.
Sinceer traced his fingers over the shoebox, he couldn’t believe it was real.
Mama stood against the counter, watching in silence, arms folded tight, she was holding everything in.
“You always got money fa gifts,” she roared.
Daddy ignored that or pretended to.
For forty-eight hours, the house was under a spell.
Daddy played on the floor, letting the twins climb all over him.
He told stories about the city, about ‘big moves’ he was making.
Saiyd hung on to his every word, but Sinceer asked questions, smart ones.
Questions Daddy didn’t always answer directly.
And I just adored him, trying to memorize his face.
I already knew he wouldn’t stay long. He never did.
Shay was the only one who didn't buy it. She spent those two days with her headphones around her neck, her eyes narrowed behind her shades even indoors. Watching Daddy with a detached gaze. When he tried to hand her some money, she didn't take it.
"We don't need yo’ pocket change, Daddy," her voice an authoritative tone.
"We been survivin’ wit’out it."
Later, Daddy relaxed on the front steps with the twins. The corner down the block hummed with mild activity. Daddy signaled in that direction.
“You see dat?” He asked.
Saiyd bobbled his small head.
“Dat’s where tha real money at.” Daddy continued.
Sinceer scowled.
“That’s not a real job.”
Daddy let out a muffled laugh.
“Depends who you ask.”
Saiyd leaned in, curiosity lighting up his face.
Sinceer was stiff, almost defensive. Lingering in the doorway, I watched them together and felt an uneasy twist settle deep in my chest.
The story was already forming in my mind.
The way Daddy studied Saiyd. The way Saiyd didn’t interrupt when Daddy was talking.
They was reading each other, and I sensed danger.
Daddy spent that night stretched out on the couch. The twins stayed up late talking about him like he was a superhero.
“Did you see dat car?” Saiyd gossiped.
“He prolly rich.”
Sinceer took his time before he replied.
“But he don’t live here,” he finally responded.
Saiyd shrugged his shoulders hard.
“So?”
Sinceer rolled onto his side as the excitement from the day started sinking in.
“That matters… A lot.”
Wednesday night, the energy in the house was off. Daddy was pacing. His eyes flicking toward the door every time a car slowed down on the street. He didn't look like the ‘king of the house’ anymore; he looked like a man who was halfway gone.
When Thanksgiving morning came, Daddy was gone. He slipped out without saying a word, no goodbye and no explanation. Dang. I mumbled to myself. Just like that, the house was normal again.
Mama posted in the kitchen, glaring out the window. She kept her back to us, and not a single word left her mouth. She never said I told you so. Didn’t spit a single ugly word about Daddy. But her eyes heavy in a way that said enough.
"He's gone, ain't he?" Shay asked, standing in the hallway in her pajamas.
"The table’s set for the five of us. Same as it’s always been. Go tell the twins to get ready for the day." Mama went back basting the turkey, her face trying to mask her anger.
Saiyd’s jaw tightened when the news settled in.
Sinceer stayed silent, the way people do when things go exactly the way they thought they would.
I hovered at the doorway, caressing the gold chain he left me.
Trying to ignore the sorrow growing in my chest.
Every time Daddy came back, I started to believe things might be different.
But when he walks out, it’s like watching him disappear for the first time all over again.
The block had closed its ranks again. Forcing me to swallow the cold truth, being blood don’t make you family.