Syn’s face glistened as her perspiration gave way to her nervousness. Her hands shook as she tried to scramble the eggs. Jhaylen walked around the island, grabbed her hands, guided her away from the stove.
“Relax, breathe, and let it out.”
Serenity looked at her parents. She’d never seen them in this manner. Everything seemed out of place. The calmness of her father, the wreck of a mom she now witnessed, and the breakfast being cooked.
“Somebody say something, what is going on?” Serenity was pleading with her parents, tears streaming down her face. Her stomach dropped to her knees, a wave of nausea approaching.
“I, I, ahem, I’m the reason your father has been gone. It’s all my fault.” Syn dropped her head to the countertop, bawling as she revealed what she thought she’d be able to guard forever.
“WHAT?! What do you mean you’re the reason? I don’t understand.”
Serenity shook her head and began to pace the kitchen floor. Her breathing was a little more erratic than normal.
Jhaylen stood there finishing the breakfast, taking it all in, allowing the words to be spoken that should have been uttered a long time ago. He was relieved yet expecting the fallout that was sure to happen.
“Dad, what is she talking about? Can you explain to me what the hell is going on?”
Jhaylen turned to face his daughter. “Language, I get you’re confused, but this isn’t my truth to reveal baby girl. Give her time to get it out.”
“Time seems like time has passed more so than not.”
Serenity ran over to the trash can and emptied her stomach lining. Jhaylen held his daughter’s hair back, while looking at Syn. Though he expected a fall out, he didn’t expect physical turmoil to occur.
“Syn, you need to let this out. No more stalling.”
Patience sat on the couch with Paige still laying on her lap. Her thoughts began to swivel. She wasn’t expecting to have to call him, let alone see him.
Paige was experiencing what would be some of the best rest she’d had since she’d learned of Chance’s impending return.
The doorbell rang. Patience’s heart skipped two beats. “Paige, get up love.” She shifted carefully, easing Paige off her lap.
Once Paige was settled, she walked over to the door as best she could after the wine. She let out a sigh, and opened it.
Seeing him after all this time did something to her. “Ahem… h-hi Michal.” She stepped back to invite him in. The scent of Mercedes Benz cologne tickled her in spots she hadn’t been tickled in years.
“Hey, Patience. Where is she?” Michal got straight to the point. No pleasantries. No introductions. He came there for his daughter, and that was it.
“She’s on the sofa.”
Michal removed his coat and made his way to find his daughter resting in a fetal position.
“How long has she been asleep?”
“Not long, maybe a half hour.”
He glided his finger along her hairline, as he whispered. “Mi Amore.” Paige stirred.
“Daddy?” She murmured, eyes still closed. Slowly she pulled herself up, while she rubbed her eyes, opened them.
“DADDY!”
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he returned her embrace.
Patience watched as she witnessed the bond between her daughter and her ex. Something beautifully woven that time couldn’t destroy.
Bentley grabbed his keys, headed out the door, started the engine of his Hummer H3, and approached the driver’s door.
“Dang it.” He jogged back to the house. Ran up the stairs, entered his room and grabbed his gym bag. Once back out to the vehicle, he tossed the bag on the back seat.
🎶 I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there.🎶blared through the speakers. His head bobbed to the beat as he joined in. 🎶 “Become so tired, so much more aware..” 🎶
He grabbed his phone, searched her name. Tapped the text icon.
Bentley: Good Morning Beautiful. I’m out and about this morning. If it’s okay I could swing by to see you after the gym🤞🏾
He pulled up to the gym, grabbed his headphones and gym bag. He went inside, changed his clothes, began stretching and let the music lead the workout session.
As he bench-pressed, his sparring partner attempted to get his attention. His mind zoned out, he was unaware he wasn’t pausing between reps.
“Yo, earth to Bentley!” His sparring partner yelled.
He snapped. Returned the bar and felt the agony in his shoulders. He sat up, removed the headphones, and looked at his sparring partner.
“What J,” Bentley snapped.
“Dude, hell you went to? You weren’t pausing, you’re gonna regret that. That’s it for today. Clear your mind.”
Bentley nodded, rubbed his shoulders, and exited to the showers.
Serenity raised her head from the trash can, grabbed a cup, filled it with water, shakily brought the cup to her lips and sipped.
“I’m so sorry baby.” Syn began. “I should have said this earlier.”
“Said what ma? You’re still not saying anything!”
“Serenity, relax.” Again Jhaylen fell into the role of trying to get her to rein in her emotions.
“Your father’s absence was because I messed up.”
The cup slipped from Serenity’s hand and shattered against the floor.
“What do you mean you messed up? What did you do Ma?”
Syn watched her daughter’s demeanor shift before her eyes.
“He was locked up because of me Serenity. He saved me.”
Serenity’s eyes bulged. “WHAT?!? Ma… what are you saying to me right now?”
Her mind went back to that moment.
***** Three Years Ago****
“Police, open the door,”
Violent knocks rattled the frame as Serenity stood frozen, watching her mother pace in tight circles around the living room.
She watched her mother stop in front of her father. Kiss him. Hold his face for a few seconds longer than necessary. Then walk to the door.
“Yes, how may I help you.”
“Ma’am, we have a warrant for..”
Jhaylen interrupted. “Here I am. I’m who you’re looking for.” He said calmly.
Serenity’s eyes flooded, she’d never imagined seeing her father hauled off in cuffs.”
***** Current Day*****
“I remember that day Ma.” Serenity said, voice cracking. “You didn’t see me, but I watched them come for him. Why are you lying?”
Syn’s color drained from her face. “Oh, Serenity.. you don’t know what you witnessed baby.
“I saw them take daddy in cuffs?!” Serenity shouted. “What more is there?”
Syn dropped her head, shame heavy in her posture.
“He took the fall for me, baby.”
***** Three Years Ago *****
The house gained an echo. Everything slowed. Nothing felt the same. No one came by, just Serenity and Syncere.
Syncere was evidently more present, but that never bothered Serenity.
“Ma, is daddy coming back?” She murmured.
“Yes baby, he’ll be back.” Syncere replied softly. “We are okay. You hear me? We are fine.”
The only time they spoke on it.
Days passed, weeks turned into months. Then months became years and the house began to find its voice again.
More laughter, more memories, unspoken resentment, a mere ghost of the man she once loved unconditionally.
**** Current Day****
The sickness returned, everything rising, but nothing coming up. Serenity’s stomach twisted, empty and sick all at once.
Chance lay on his bed, gazing at the ceiling, awaiting sleep to take over. His thoughts drifted, uninvited, into Paige. For a brief moment there was rest.
“Breaud.”
Chance rolled over to see the nurse in the door. “Now What? Y’all really don’t want me to sleep huh?” He snapped.
“Lunch. Let’s go.”
Chance followed the nurse down the hall to the day room where he received his lunch tray. The only time they were allowed out together.
He grabbed his tray, took the corner seat by the window, and bit into the Turkey and Swiss.
“May I join?” Dr. Sylvie asked.
Chance didn’t look up. “Why ask, you’re going to join whether I say yes or no.”
Sylvie smiled faintly as he took his seat. “Well since you say it that way, thanks for the invite. I’ll cut to the chase. There may be a program you’d be interested in Breaud.”
“Only thing I’m interested in, is getting out of here.”
“Glad we’re on one accord.” Sylvie replied smoothly. “This program, would have you out of here sooner than you think.”
Chance stopped chewing.
“Oh,” Sylvie added watching him closely, “have I got your attention now Mr. Breaud?
Chance swallowed,
“I’m listening.”
“I figured you would.” Sylvie said slyly. Come see me after lunch.
Bentley checked his phone. Empty. He sank into the massage chair in the gym letting it work out the self-inflicted kinks in his shoulder. Music hummed in his ear.
🎶 One word is all I need to say exactly how I feel, one word, a single word that’s from the heart and keeps it real.🎶
Eyes closed, images of her playing in his mind.
He snapped himself out of it, headed to the showers, grabbed his towels and let the warm beat against his shoulders.
He tried to focus on the rest of his day. He had errands to run, he couldn’t afford to be lost in his head all day.
Paige was overly excited to see her father. It had been too long in her book.
“What are you doing here, Daddy?” She asked excited, but curious. Her eyes flickered to her mother, who stood nervously in a corner.
“Your mom said you needed me.”
She looked back at Patience. “Thanks mom.”
Michal’s brows furrowed as he studied his daughter. “What’s going on Mi Amore?” Michal asked concerned.
Paige leaned in to her fathers chest, sobbing before speaking.
“Ch..Cha..Chance is back.”
Michal’s heart dropped. He turned swiftly to Patience. “How long?” He asked.
Patience hesitated. Breath shallow, heartbeat erratic, palms damp.
“How long Patience?” He repeated.
He noticed her shift, but didn’t care. Anything dealing with Paige, he expected to know, immediately.
“Michal, I..” she began to speak.
“Be very careful how you answer that question Patience,” He said quietly. “ I’m warning you.”
Patience fidgeted. Fingers twisted together.
“Daddy..” Paige sobbed.
“Hush Amore,” he said trying to steady her. “I’m here, and I need to know, from your mother how long.”
Paige felt two feet tall. No longer did her head reach the center of her fathers chest. It felt like she was hiding behind his arms, shrinking, defeated.
She sobbed more. She didn’t know what would hurt her more, Chance’s return or the thickening tension brewing between her parents.
Chance walked down the hall to Dr. Sylvie’s office.
“What if he’s lying?”
“What if this is some sort of sick game.”
His thoughts began to spiral. He paused mid-step. Nerves stretched tight, breath shallow.
“What if it’s real?”
His mind teetered again. Somehow he fought through it. His steps began again, shorter now, cautious, but still in forward motion.
As he reached Dr. Sylvie’s office. He paused once more.
“Here goes nothing.”
“Ah, Mr. Breaud,” Dr. Sylvie said. “Come on in, I’ve been waiting.”
“What’s this program Doc?”
“Oh, straight to it I see,” Sylvie chuckled. “Come have a seat.”
Chance obliged.
“Would you be opposed to starting group sessions?” Dr. Sylvie asked.
“You want me to talk about my issues in front of people,” Chance snarled. “Yeah, that’s a hard no.”
“Before you say no,” Dr. Sylvie cut in. “Participating in group sessions, would have you in a supervised housing unit that operates much like your own apartment.”
Chance’s frustration turned into cautious optimism. “What’s the catch?” He questioned.
“The are rules, Mr. Breaud.”
“Group sessions twice a week. Curfew. Check-ins with me as needed.” Dr. Sylvie explained.
Chance pondered.
“Is this my way out?”
Serenity stood there, trying to hold on to the little stomach lining she had left.
“Why would he have to take the fall for you?”
Jhaylen finally spoke up.
“So that my daughter could grow up with her mother.”
Serenity couldn’t believe what she was hearing. If the last 4 years had been a lie, what else was there?
“I ca.. can’t believe y’all would lie to me like this.” Serenity mumbled.
“Ma, why’d he have to take the fall for you in the first place? What did you do?” She asked shakily.
Bentley left the gym with sore muscles and a busy mind. He made it to the grocery store where he had a few items he needed to grab. He also stopped at the pharmacy and the local video game store to grab the newest Madden that was out.
He found himself taking the longer route home. Once out of this haze he found himself in, he realized he ended up down the street from her home.
“What am I doing?”
His thoughts becoming more logical. He hadn’t heard back from her all day, now here he was yards away from her residence.
“I should turn around.”
Logic trying to break through the barrier of confusion. Yet still he stayed parked, eyes set, heart racing, gripping the steering wheel.
Sweat beads formed across his forehead. Armpits damp. Lips dry. Mind racing. His body reacting faster than his logic.
“Ma.. are you going to answer me?” Serenity shouted.
“There’s so much you don’t know and won’t understand Serenity and it’ll hurt you more once you do.” Syn replied in tears.
“I’m not a child anymore! Just tell me the damn truth!”
“Jynae!” Jaylen interjected. “Give her a beat, this is a lot for her same as it is for you.”
“You’re not better Daddy.” She rolled her eyes.
“You needed your mother.” He responded calmly. “There were things, as a man, I couldn’t do for you.”
Serenity’s mind was exhausted. There was a pulsing sensation forming in front of her forehead.
She grabbed her head, “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” She said.
Jhaylen glanced at his daughter, realizing just how much he’d missed out on.
**** Nineteen Years Ago****
“That’s it Syncere, push.” The doctors commanded.
Jhaylen stood there holding her hand, coaching her through. Excited yet nervous. Who knew birth would be this tiring on his woman.
Syncere pushed. Grunted. Groaned. Screamed.
“One more big push Syncere you can do it.” The doctors said.
Jhaylen wiped the sweat off her forehead, as she she shook her head in exhaustion.
“I can’t, I can’t .” Syncere yelled out,
“Syn, Jhaylen said softly, breathe and push one more time for me.”
Syncere looked at him with tired eyes, chest heaving, yet full of love.
“Ahhhhhhhhhh!”
She pushed. She heard the cry.
“It’s a girl.”
She heard. She passed out.
“Syn!!” Jhaylen yelled.
Doctors rushed him out of the room.
Serenity wailing, unaware of the chaos that surrounded her. Yet her cries sounded of yearning. Yearning of her parents she had yet to meet in the first few seconds of her life.
Abandoned, by default.
🎶 Well I just heard the news today, seems my life is gonna change. I close my eyes begin to pray. Then tears of joy streamed down my face, with arms wide open, under the sunlight. Welcome to this place, I’ll show you everything with arms wide open. 🎶
The song played in Jhaylen’s ear while he paced back and forth. Panicked by the abrupt turn of events. One love of his life was out cold after birthing the second love of his life. Here he was ready to be the man that lived in both of his women.
Yet, he couldn’t. He was in a waiting room. Oblivious to what was going on with either of his girls.
**** Current Day****
“Serenity.” He said firmly.
“Let her breathe.”
“Fine,” she shouted. “I need to breathe too!”
She turned, grabbed her bag, and stormed outside.
Her heart dropped.
Bentley found the courage to pull up to the house. Parked his vehicle. Exited.
As he approached the house, She stormed outside.
“H..heyy.. what’s wrong?” He asked concerned.
“I don’t want to talk about, it but can we get out of here?” She said holding back tears.
She wasn’t sure if she was happy to see him or mad that he just showed up to her house. In this moment, she needed the escape.
He obliged.
Kae Jaye The Writer 