Chapter 11 #2
“Let me get this straight. You’re saying my momma knew about the other woman and kids, and made him walk away from them? That doesn’t sound like my momma,” Messiah replied.
“That’s because it isn’t! I love you, Uncle Truth, but you’ve got me fucked up if you think I’m gonna let you sit and lie on my momma like she’s some weak bitch.
If my daddy walked away from those kids, it’s because he knew they weren’t his.
My daddy was no deadbeat, and you should be ashamed for speaking on the dead that way,” Serenity vented.
We hadn’t heard her come down the stairs, but it was obvious she had listened to a good portion of the story.
“Niece, you—”
“No! You’re lying! Why would you say something like that, and my daddy isn’t here to defend himself?” Serenity rarely showed emotions, so it caught me off guard to see the tears streaming down her face. Messiah got up to comfort her, but she pushed him away.
“You knew about this?” She asked him.
“Serenity.”
“Don’t Serenity me. I can’t believe you are sitting here listening to this bullshit. Daddy wasn’t perfect, but come on. He would never walk away from his kids for anyone, and Momma would never have asked him to.”
Uncle Truth stood up and walked over to her, but once again she pushed away.
“You don’t have to accept what I’m saying, but a simple DNA test will confirm. Honestly, we don’t need one because Knowledge got one done after Peace was born.” He revealed.
“W-What do you mean? Peace? Are you talking about the girl I met upstairs? Is that why she’s here?
Because she wants to taint my parents’ image to get next to our family?
I thought the bitch was cool, but ya’ll got me fucked up if you think for one second I’m gonna let this go down,” Serenity spat.
She ran up the stairs, and Messiah and I followed after her.
“Why the fuck did you come here? Huh? Do you think what you’re trying to do is okay?” Serenity shouted towards Peace, who sat next to Ciyani. Everyone was confused, and in that moment, I realized how much I had fucked up by not warning her.
“I don’t understand. What did I do?” Peace asked, with her eyes focused. I walked over to her and stood behind her.
“She doesn’t know, Serenity. I wanted her to meet y’all because I wanted her to see how close y’all are. It’s my fault.” I revealed. Peace let go of my hand and stood up from her seat. Her eyes darted from mine to Serenity and Messiah.
“What’s going on? And what is she talking about?” This time, she looked to me for answers. Her eyes were filled with hurt and confusion, making me regret my decision even more. I tried to reach for her hand, but she pulled away from me.
“I don’t care what they say, you are not my sister. My daddy would never abandon his kids!” Serenity blurted.
“Serenity! What the hell?” Charity stood up from the table and walked over to her siblings.
“Yeah, sis. Uncle Truth was downstairs telling them that Daddy had outside kids and Momma knew about it. He said that she told him to walk away from them. They want us to believe that our father was a deadbeat and that Momma was jealous of a child. I don’t care what lies you tell, but you better keep my momma’s name out of your mouth.
” I wasn’t sure who Serenity was directing her anger towards, but there was nothing anyone could say to calm her down.
“Is this true, Uncle Truth?” Charity inquired. I peeked at the look he gave Granny, which confirmed what I suspected earlier. She knew.
“Yes, Charity. All of it is true. I understand that it doesn’t feel good to hear something negative about the person you love, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
Knowledge had a choice to make, and he chose to stay with your mother, you, and your siblings.
Renay lost the second baby, packed her things, and left town.
Knowledge loved Peace, and he didn’t want to walk away from her, but things were complicated. ”
“Dreaux, get me out of here now,” Peace demanded.
“Peace—”
“Don’t! I trusted you. You knew more than anyone how much I’ve been through, and you blindsided me without even so much as a heads-up. I thought you cared about me.”
“I do. You have no idea how much.”
“No, you don’t. Because if you cared about me, you would have never put me in this position.” Her voice cracked, and I made another attempt to reach for her.
“Do you have any idea what it feels like to go through your whole life missing a part of who you are, only to find out that you were never wanted in the first place? No, you don’t, huh?
It’s just me.” Peace covered her face with her hands as her tears dropped. Truth stepped forward, his face somber.
“I apologize that you had to find out this way, sweetheart. I promise our family is loving and loyal to a fault. Your father was a flawed man, but he loved all of his children, including you. When you’re ready to talk, I have some things I need to show you.
There’s no rush, though.” He offered. Peace took one last look around the room before she focused her attention on him.
“I don’t want it. I obviously didn’t mean much to him if I didn’t even know he was dead.
I didn’t come here to tear apart his image or cause pain to anyone.
Trust me, if anyone knows what pain feels like, it’s me.
Just forget you ever saw me and go back to living as if I never existed.
I won’t bother you again.” Peace declared, then walked out of the room.
I assumed she was headed to grab Promise.
I got ready to go after her, but Ciyani stopped me.
She gave me a sympathetic glance, then followed after Peace.
Multiple conversations started around the room, and I needed to get some fresh air.
I noticed a few others following behind me, but I never slowed my stride.
Once I reached the front porch, I sat on the steps.
Guilt overpowered me, and I felt like the biggest asshole.
Peace was right when she said I blindsided her.
I thought it was a good idea, but the pain in her eyes was etched into my brain.
“Damn. I didn’t see shit playing out that way,” Loyal remarked.
“I feel bad for all of the siblings, but especially Peace. We all knew how Unc got down, but we’re on the outside looking in. I can’t imagine how she feels right now,” Justice commented.
“I feel like shit. She had been going through a rough time, and I thought this would lift her spirits. I should have told her what was going on and let her decide for herself. Fuck.” I buried my face in my hands, trying to figure out how I could make things right.