TRUTH #3
Mama shook her head, but I could see the pride in her eyes. “Well, the gumbo’s done. But I’m warning you, Truth—it’s spicy. You might get heartburn.”
“I don’t even care.” I stood and followed her into the kitchen. “I need it.”
The kitchen was small and cramped, the way it had always been, but I missed it. The pot of gumbo sat on the stove, steam rising from the surface, and the rice cooker was already done. Mama started ladling the gumbo into bowls while my sisters grabbed plates and utensils.
We settled around the small dining table—the same one we’d eaten at our entire lives—and for a few minutes, there was nothing but the sound of spoons scraping against bowls and the occasional hum of satisfaction.
“This is so good, Mama,” Saroya said, reaching for the hot sauce.
“Don’t put too much of that on there,” Mama warned. “It’s already got enough kick.”
I took a bite and felt the heat spread through my chest. It was perfect. Exactly what I needed.
“So,” Raven said, setting her spoon down and looking at me. “What’s the plan? You just gonna avoid both of them forever?”
“I’m not avoiding anyone.” I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “I’m taking control. I went to my own doctor today. Got my own OBGYN who has nothing to do with the Landrys.”
Mama’s face softened. “Good. That’s real good, baby.”
“And I’m officially back in school,” I added, my voice stronger now. “I worked it out so I can do all my classes online. I only have a few left before I can start clinicals.”
The table erupted.
“Truth!” Saroya reached across and squeezed my hand. “That’s amazing!”
“I’m so proud of you,” Honor said, her eyes shining.
Raven grinned. “Look at you, getting your life together while these niggas out here losing their minds.”
Mama stood and came around the table, pulling me into a tight hug. “You’re doing the right thing, baby. You’re taking care of yourself and your babies. That’s all that matters.”
I felt tears prick at my eyes, but I blinked them back. “I also have to get DNA from Kaisen and Amai. I need to know who these babies belong to.”
Saroya shrugged. “Just ask them. They both thirsty to be the daddy anyway.”
“Right?” Raven laughed. “They probably already got the samples ready.”
“But, what if—” Honor paused, her expression turning serious. “What if it’s a baby for each brother? That would be some fucked up shit. Two baby daddies that’s both crazy as fuck.”
“Don’t even speak that shit into existence,” I said quickly, my stomach twisting. “That ain’t funny, Honor.”
“I’m not trying to be funny.” Honor held up her hands. “I’m just saying—”
“Well, don’t say it.” My voice was sharper than I intended, and the table went quiet.
Mama reached over and patted my hand. “It’s gonna be okay, baby. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out.”
I nodded, swallowing hard.
“So,” Honor said after a moment, her voice softer now. “Are you really done with Amai?”
I stared down at my bowl, watching the steam rise from the gumbo. “I don’t know.”
“Hell nah, she ain’t done with him,” Raven said, grinning. “You see how that man walks? Like it’s heavy. If I was you, Truth, I’d be trying to keep my lil’ family too.”
Despite everything, I laughed. “Raven, you’re a mess.”
“I’m just being real!” Raven leaned back in her chair. “That man fine, he got money, and he clearly obsessed with you. You could do worse.”
“He’s also married,” I pointed out.
“So?” Saroya shrugged. “That man ain’t doing all this shit to stay married to some other bitch.
He probably was just trying to get his shit together, hoping you wouldn’t find out.
Hell, Claressa’s ass happy with her married man.
Or soon to be divorced man. Who the fuck knows with them.
But that won’t be you, sissy. Something tells me Amai will make this right. ”
“That’s what he said.” I shook my head. “But I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“Then make him prove it,” Mama said firmly. “Don’t just take his word. Make him show you.”
I nodded slowly. She was right. I couldn’t just believe what Amai told me. I needed proof. I needed action.
We finished eating, the conversation shifting to lighter topics—Honor’s kids, Saroya’s new supervisor at work, Raven’s latest dating disaster. For a little while, I let myself forget about the Landrys and the babies and the chaos that had become my life.
I let myself just be.
With my family. With the people who loved me no matter what.
And I realized something in that moment, sitting around that cramped table in Mama’s small kitchen:
I’d been rich my whole life.
Not in money. Not in material things.
But in this.
In the love of my mother and my sisters. In the way they showed up for me, no questions asked. In the way they made me laugh even when I wanted to cry.
With them, I could get through anything.
Even this.
“I’m gonna grab something from my car,” Raven said, standing and stretching. “Be right back.”
She disappeared out the front door, and the rest of us started clearing the table. Mama was rinsing dishes in the sink when Raven came back inside.
She was laughing.
Not just laughing—hysterically laughing. The kind of laugh that made her double over, clutching her stomach, barely able to breathe.
“What?” Saroya demanded. “What’s so funny?”
Raven tried to speak but couldn’t get the words out. She waved her hand toward the front door, tears streaming down her face.
“Raven, what the hell—”
“I—” She gasped for air. “I just—I caught Amai—”
My stomach dropped. “What?”
“Driving by!” Raven finally managed to get the words out. “That nigga just drove past the house slow as hell, looking like he on a damn stakeout!”
Honor burst out laughing. “You lying.”
“I’m not!” Raven wiped at her eyes. “I swear to God, Truth. He out there circling the block like a damn shark.”
I dropped my head into my hands. “Oh, my God.”
“You probably gonna get a visit later tonight,” Saroya said, grinning. “Even though you told his ass to stay away.”
“Right?” Honor shook her head. “If we don’t believe you meant that shit, neither does Amai.”
I looked up at my sisters, at their smiling faces, and despite everything—despite the fear and the uncertainty and the absolute chaos of my life—I started laughing too.
Because they were right.
Amai wasn’t going to stay away.
And deep down, I wasn’t sure I wanted him to.