Page 60 of Krash & Bern

“I’m sorry,” he whispered in my ear.

Tears prickled the rims of my eyes as I gripped his shirt. “I-I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“Shh, you have nothing to apologize for, baby girl. You did what you had to do to make it through those hard times. I wish I could have been there to protect you from all of this, but what’s done is done. I’m going to make sure you are loved and protected moving forward, though.”

His words hugged my soul. The tears fell freely as I cried into his chest. Trenton James was protective, but he was also a very loving man. I loved how he wasn’t afraid to show his emotions. He said a strong man wasn’t afraid to cry. A father should always be open and gentle with his kids.

“Thank you for not yelling at me, Daddy,” I replied, which followed with a series of sniffles.

“Yelling wouldn’t have done either of us any good. My love for you is stronger than my disappointment of the situation. You’re a crybaby, so I had to navigate in a way that would be more beneficial than counterproductive.”

“I appreciate you,” I concluded.

I released my grip on his shirt and smoothed out the wrinkles. He bopped me on the nose before turning to look at Krash, who had a distant look in his eyes. This must have been a culture shock for Krash, because he’d never had a moment like this with his father. Growing up the way he had, he probably never saw a father be so gentle and patient with a child.

“Keyshawn brought you a gift,” I announced to bring my man into the conversation.

“Oh? What did you get me, Krash?” Daddy asked.

Krash lifted the bottles of red wine and bourbon. “Just a couple drinks to share with Mrs. James. I brought her a bouquet of flowers as well. I wasn’t sure what her favorite was, so I got a dozen red and white roses to be safe.”

Daddy nodded. “Thank you. Matter of fact, I’d love to have a conversation with you.”

I frowned. “Don’t go threatening my boyfriend, Daddy.”

“Why don’t you go help your mama in the kitchen?” His suggestion sounded more like an order, so I crossed my arms.

“I don’t want you scaring my man away, sir,” I stated with a petulant stomp of my foot.

“Bernice!” Mama called from the kitchen. “Come help me, girl.”

“I see what this is. Key, don’t let him scare you away.” I grumbled.

“I won’t.” Krash chuckled. He pulled me close and kissed my lips gently before he handed me the bottle of wine.

“I’ll put it in the freezer to get a nice chill.” I looked at Krash and my dad before I walked out of the den to the kitchen.

My stomach churned at the fact I had no idea what my father wanted to talk to Keyshawn about. The fear of the unknown had me rubbing my stomach to ease the tension in my gut.

“Bernie, come talk to me while you help me with dinner.”

“What do you need me to do?” I asked after I put the wine in the freezer and washed my hands.

“Get the bowls ready. Every spot at the table needs a plate for shells, a bowl, and a spoon. Your father likes to eat crackers with his gumbo, so put a pack at the head of the table. Hot sauce in the center. Does Krash like crackers with his gumbo?”

I shook my head. “No. He’ll eat it without the crackers.”

I grabbed four bowls and set them at the table. I moved back and forth from the kitchen and dining room to set the table. Once I was done, I sat in one of the bar stools at the kitchen island and watched Mama add the final touches to the pot.

“While we’re alone, I want to talk to you, Bernie.”

My throat went dry instantly. I folded my hands in my lap and braced for impact. I knew it was coming, so I had no reason to be shocked at her statement.

“What’s up?”

“I read the articles and watched the videos… How long did you suffer in silence? Why didn’t you come to me? Why didn’t you let me in and bring you out of that situation?” Mama’s voice was laced with sadness and hurt.

I swallowed. “I… Rodney made me feel like I had no one. I was alone up north with no one to turn to because everything was so unfamiliar and new. I didn’t know how to open up and let y’all know what was going on because I was afraid to disappoint you. I was afraid to reveal how weak I was during that time with Rodney.”

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