Chapter twenty-nine
Devyn
Four Months Later
I was halfway through my chemistry homework when my phone buzzed. Without looking, I reached over and grabbed it. I figured it was probably Sahara, my dad or Dylan.
Lately our conversations have become random and unpredictable. We used to text every day. Sometimes we went a whole week without speaking. Life had just gotten busy for both of us.
I glanced down at the screen and immediately froze. It was a number that I didn’t recognize. My stomach tightened.
Normally, I would’ve ignored it, but something told me not to, so I ended up opening the message. And instantly wished I hadn’t.
Hi Devyn
I stared at the screen as my heart immediately started beating faster. Nobody called me Devyn like that.
The next line appeared…
I don’t mean to intrude, but I’ll be in Zurich next week for a photo shoot
I already knew before I reached the end and saw the name that the text came from Monique. My fingers tightened around the phone as another text came through.
I know your birthday is coming up so I was wondering if you’d be willing to see me. Only if you’re ready though. If not, I completely understand. I hope school is going well. Monique
For several seconds I just sat there staring at the screen reading and rereading the message until the words started to blur together.
“She remembered,” I whispered.
“What was that?” Sahara asked.
I nearly jumped off the bed, causing Sahara to laugh at me.
“Girl.” I pressed my hand against my chest dramatically. “You scared me the shit out of me.”
She climbed on my bed and sat across from me. “Sorry.” Then she noticed the surprised expression on my face. “Oh, oh. What happened now?”
I handed her the phone without saying a word. She took it and read the message.
“Oh shit!”
That comment almost made me bust out laughing... almost. But my nerves were too damn bad right now. I took my phone back.
“I thought she was done.”
Sahara looked over. “What you mean?”
“I thought after Thanksgiving…” I shrugged. “Shit, I don’t know.”
The words felt stupid, but they were true. I honestly thought Monique had moved on. That she had said her piece, told her story and had gone back to her life. I guess I was wrong.
“What are you gonna do?” Sahara asked.
I stared at the message again then looked away. The truth was I didn’t know. Part of me wanted to ignore it. Part of me wanted to block the number. Part of me wanted to ask a thousand questions. And another part… a part I wasn’t ready to admit existed, was curious.
Sahara watched me carefully. “Are you thinking about it?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are,” she countered. “You can be honest with me Dev.”
I rolled my eyes and she laughed at me. Then she pointed towards my phone.
“Go ahead and answer her.”
“What am I supposed to say?” I asked.
“Just keep it real.”
I stared down at the message again. “I think I should call my dad,” I said.
“Yeah, I agree. Mr. Caine will help you make the right decision,” Sahara said. “Do you want me to leave the room?”
“No, you can stay. It’s not like you don’t know what’s going on,” I replied.
“Cool. I’ll just sit here and be quiet.”
So, I called my daddy and he answered on the first ring.
“Hey sweetie, how’s it going?”
“Hey Daddy. It’s going,” I replied.
“Oh oh. What’s with that voice?” he asked. “Did something happen?”
“Kinda. I got a text from Monique. She’s flying in next week and wants to see me for my birthday,” I explained.
“Oh, and she mentioned your birthday?”
“Yes, she specifically said it. I didn’t even think she remembered it.”
“Well, she is the one who gave birth to you sweetheart,” he said.
“Yeah. I know. I need to know what you think I should do,” I said.
“I can’t really tell you what to do when it comes to your mother sweetie. You’re old enough to decide if you want to see her or not,” Daddy explained.
I rolled my eyes because I was hoping he would say not to see her, but he didn’t say that. He left it as my decision.
“You don’t have to make a decision today since she isn’t flying in until next week. Just think about it. Sleep on it or pray about it.”
“Yeah, okay Daddy. Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime. Let me know what you decide,” he said.
“Okay,” I said.
“I love you Devyn.”
“Love you too.”
Then I hung up.
“What did he say?” Sahara asked.
“He said it’s my decision,” I said with a smirk.
Then I looked at the text from Monique again. I stared at it for a long time before I slowly typed…
Me: Hi
The response came less than thirty seconds later. It was like she had been staring at her phone waiting for my response.
One week later…
I woke up smiling, which was surprising considering I usually hated birthdays. Not because I didn’t like receiving gifts. I loved gifts, but birthdays always made me think about family.
And being thousands of miles away from home wasn’t exactly how I imagined spending my fifteenth birthday.
Thankfully, my father had other plans. The flowers arrived first… a massive arrangement that immediately took over half the room. The attached card was...
Happy 15th Birthday Sweetheart. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Love,Daddy
I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt then came the Chanel bag. I nearly screamed.
“OH MY GOD!”
Sahara sat straight up in bed. “What happened girl?” I held the bag up and her mouth fell open. “Shut up! That bitch hittin’ !”
We both stared at it then immediately started screaming. For the next ten minutes we acted like complete fools, but neither of us cared. By lunchtime my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. I had texts, calls and messages coming in on social media.
Everybody seemed determined to remind me I was getting older. Rico texted me too…
Happy Birthday Lil Mama. Don’t let your daddy stress you out today
I laughed then sent a response back…
LOL! Too late
A few minutes later Dylan’s message came through.
Happy Birthday Dev ?? Hope you have a great day
I stared at the heart for a little longer than I should have as a smile spread across my face. No matter how much life changed, some things still felt familiar.
Imani texted next…
Happy Birthday bestie ?????? I miss you so much! I hope you have an awesome day ??????
Then Carter texted, which surprised me because I would’ve thought he had forgotten about me.
Carter: Happy Birthday Devyn ????Hope today is amazing
I smiled for the first time in a long time because I felt loved… really loved. Then Sahara handed me another gift.
I smiled and asked, “What is this?”
“Open it.”
I carefully unwrapped it and froze.
“Oh my God!” My eyes widened as I immediately looked up at her. “No way.”
Sahara busted out laughing. The book in my hands was one of my favorites and it was signed by one of my favorite authors. She actually signed it… not printed or copied it but autographed it. My jaw literally dropped and hit the floor.
“How did you get this?” I asked.
Her grin widened. “You aren’t the only one with connections, roomie,” she said with a wink.
I stared at her then immediately hugged her. “You are literally the best.”
“I know this.”
We both laughed.
The entire day felt absolutely perfect or as close to perfect as it could get, which was why I almost forgot… until my phone buzzed.
Monique: I’m downstairs
My smile immediately faded… not completely, but just enough for Sahara to notice.
“She’s here?” Sahara asked. I nodded and she immediately stood up. “Do I need to come with you?”
I laughed and replied, “No thanks.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded and grabbed my coat. “I’ll be okay.”
Sahara pointed towards the door. “I’ll be nearby if you need me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said with a smile.
“I got your back.”
“Ditto.” I laughed and shook my head then headed downstairs.
A few minutes later I spotted Monique standing near the lobby entrance looking as beautiful and elegant as the last time I saw her. And she also looked extremely nervous.
The second she saw me, she smiled and said, “Happy Birthday.”
I hesitated then smiled back. “Thank you.”
That was small progress, but it was progress all the same. Then she held out several gift bags, causing me to blink several times in confusion.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“They’re for you.”
My eyebrows pulled together. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”
The words came out of my mouth automatically. Monique looked down at the bags then back at me as a sad smile appeared on her face.
“I wanted to,” she said.
I stared at her and for several seconds neither of us spoke.
Then quietly she asked, “Can I be honest with you about something?”
“Sure,” I replied.
“I’ve actually been buying gifts for you since your first birthday,” she confessed.
The world seemed to stop at that moment. “What?” I asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
Monique swallowed hard and said, “Every year.”
I just stared at her because I knew I had heard her wrong.
“You what?”
“Every single birthday,” she reiterated. Tears immediately filled her eyes and mine too. “I bought gifts for you.”
The lobby suddenly felt too small, too quiet and too damn emotional. Suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“Why?” I asked.
Monique laughed softly through tears. “Because you’re my daughter Devyn.” My chest tightened painfully as she continued, “I never forgot your birthdays.” More tears spilled down her face. “I never forgot Christmas either.”
I couldn’t speak or move or think.
“Every year I bought something.”
My eyes dropped to the bags in her hands then back to her face. “If you bought them…” My voice cracked. “Where are they?”
Monique’s face crumpled. “I still have them.”
The answer shattered whatever was left of my heart. “All of them?” I asked.
She nodded. “Every single one.”
Now I was crying too because suddenly I could picture it. A room somewhere with boxes of wrapped presents… birthday after birthday, Christmas after Christmas, waiting for a little girl who never knew they existed.
“I didn’t know.” The words barely came out of my mouth.
“How could you?” Monique asked.