Page 23 of Essence of his Soul

Mark’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “You’re kidding.”

I shook my head. “Nope. The father even moved to another country to keep his ex-wife from ever seeing Gretchen again. Last year, he was in a fatal car accident. The girls were reunited soon after.”

“That’s wild.”

“It really is,” I said, sipping my now watered-down iced tea.

“Despite the tragedy, I’m sure the family is relieved. I can’t imagine keeping a child away from their mother or father like that.”

Mark’s frown deepened, and I studied his face, hoping he understood that I hadn’t intentionally kept Tyler from him. That was never my intention.

Mark finally agreed to let me fix him a plate, and we talked about my job while we ate. Tyler drifted to sleep in his father’s arms within half an hour.

“Can I ask you something?” I began, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Sure.”

“What would you have done if you’d known I was pregnant?”

“I would have come home and married you.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s sweet, but I still wouldn’t have married you.”

Mark’s confidence didn’t waver. “I’d have convinced you.”

“It wouldn’t have worked,” I said, giving him a half-smile. “It’s not about you; it’s about what I want.”

“So, what will it take to convince you I’m serious about marrying you?”

“Love,” I said quietly. “I’m not settling for anything less.”

Mark grew quiet, giving me a long, hard look before saying, “I can’t understand how you’d put love before our son’s well-being.”

“You don’t have to understand it,” I replied with a shrug. “But I’m not about to enter into a loveless marriage.”

“Do you admit we’re good together?” he asked, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

“Weweregood together,” I clarified, emphasizing the past tense. “No doubt about our chemistry, but I need more than that. Now, can you pass me the pepper?” I made it clear I was done with the conversation, but Mark wasn’t ready to drop it.

“People throw around the word ‘love’ too much. Don’t you see? Folks get married for love every day, and most of the time, it doesn’t last.” His tone was tinged with cynicism.

“True, but love is the foundation. Without it, what’s left?”

“A mutual commitment to raising our child.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “I know it would work if you gave us a chance,” he said, his voice tinged with hope. “My son needs me in his life.”

“I agree. Tyler does need you, but I don’t.”

Mark leaned back in his chair, looking defeated. “You sure know how to hit a brotha where it hurts.”

I offered a slight smirk. “Just keeping it real.”

Tyler began to fuss, and Mark stood up, cradling him gently. “Finish eating. I’ll put him down,” he said when I tried to reach for him. I watched Mark leave the room, mixed emotions swirling inside me.

Chapter 6

I turned and stormed down the hall, my blood boiling. Mad? Nah, pissed was more like it. Maybe I was overreacting, but this was my son we were talking about, and I wasn’t about to back down. The fact that Tyler didn’t have my last name had me seeing red. I’d tried to keep it cool, even after talking things over with my parents and trying to understand where Essence was coming from. But all that logic flew right out the window when I looked at my child.

He was mine.

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