Page 65 of Desire

Compliments about the food filled the room, and I beamed with joy. My family knew I could throw down in the kitchen because my parents made sure of it, and I was pleased to know that Aziel’s family agreed.

We talked about the upcoming fundraiser, and everyone was excited. Alaina, Seela, and Mrs. Harris gossiped about the uppity women who attended, warning me not to get too friendly with them. I would definitely heed their warning because the last thing I needed were fake friends. Alaina, Seela, my sisters, and I made plans to hang out soon; those were all the friends I needed.

My parents and Aziel’s parents got along like old friends, which warmed my heart. My heart was full as I looked around the table and heard the chatter from the kids in the kitchen. The mood all evening was light and easy… until it wasn’t.

“Baby, are we expecting anyone else?” Desire asked when the buzzer notified us of someone at the gate.

“No, baby. Let me check the cameras. I’ll be right back.”

Whoever it was better have had a good reason to be pressing the buzzer as if their life was in danger. I checked the camera near the front door and froze when I saw a face I hadn’t seen in three and a half years.

“What the fuck?” I whispered.

“Who is it?” AJ questioned. “It better be a damn emergency the way they’re laying on that buzzer.”

He startled me because I didn’t know he was behind me, and seeing a face from the past knocked me off my square.

“It’s umm, damn…”

“Damn, bruh. What’s wrong with you? Spit it out.”

“It’s Iris.”

“No shit?” He pressed the button on the camera to confirm for himself. “What the fuck does she want?”

“I don’t know, but I need to get rid of her.”

I reached for the door handle, but AJ stopped me.

“You can’t go out there. She already seems irate, and seeing you will only make it worse.”

“She came to my fucking house, so I must be who she wants to see,” I whisper-yelled.

“Az, let me see what she wants first.”

I hesitated until she pressed the buzzer again.

“Fine, but hurry up.”

AJ went outside, and my father appeared next to me.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

I shook my head and pressed the button for the camera. “Iris is outside.”

His eyes widened with surprise and concern if that was possible. We watched as AJ approached the gate entrance, and Iris exited her vehicle so they could talk.

“Have you heard from her since?—”

“Not a peep.”

“What do you think she wants?”

“I don’t have a clue.”

“What are you doing here, Iris?” AJ asked.

“I want to see my daughter.”

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