Page 12 of Coming Home for Love

“Is he still here?” I whispered like he would magically appear if I said his name.

I couldn’t believe Osiris was here in the restaurant I worked at, looking fine as ever. His beard had grown, and I wanted to soak it with my juices. The time had done him well.

“He is, but I apologized for your actions and told him you had to leave. What’s going on?”

I looked around the kitchen again to make sure no one was listening. Leaning in closer, I said, “Osiris Gray is Little O’s father.”

LaShay’s eyes widened. “What?” I nodded. She was silent for a moment, just staring at me. “I remember asking you where you got that name from, and you said it was a member of Wu-Tang.”

“It’s what Ol’ Dirty Bastard called himself sometimes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the confused expression on her face.

There weren’t too many Osirises in the world that I knew of, so when she asked me why I chose that name, I told her a small lie. Wu-Tang was my favorite rap group, and I really did like the name.

“Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, little O looks just like his father. I don’t know how I never paid it any mind, and why would you hide it?”

“Because he doesn’t know.”

“Wynter.” She dragged the end of my name. “Why doesn’t he know?”

I gave her the cliff notes version of what happened between us since we were in the middle of the kitchen.

“I would have never imagined. I get it, though, so I’m not going to fire your ass.” She smirked. “But I will say you need totell him and soon, because I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back. And this town is so damn small, you are bound to run into him again. How have you not run into his parents or his sister?” I shrugged. “He seemed concerned about you, too, when he asked if you were okay.”

My heart fluttered. He asked about me, but why? He left without a trace, so I didn’t think his concern was real. I just hoped whatever the reason he asked wasn’t held against the restaurant.

“I will tell him somehow. I just don’t know how or when.”

She pulled me into her arms. “Go home and figure it out. We have everything under control here. It’s almost closing time anyway.”

“Thank you,” I said as I stepped back. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Go.”

I turned to walk out of the kitchen.

“Wynter,” LaShay called behind me. I turned to face her. “He liked the food, by the way.” She winked.

I smiled and left to gather my things.

It was a good thing the workers’ parking lot was in the back because I would hate to have run into Osiris. I knew we needed to talk, and soon, but today wasn’t that day. I needed to get my mind together to have a much-needed conversation with him.

I drove to my parents’ house in silence, too deep in my thoughts. I wondered where Osiris had been all this time and what made him show up now. What happened to his sister that she couldn’t come? All types of thoughts ran through my head, but the main one that was constant was how I was going to tell him about our child. What if I didn’t see him again? Maybe he was just here to do the review, and he would go back to wherever he was for the last three years.

“Ugh.” I ran my hands down my face as I pulled into my parents’ driveway.

I took a few cleansing breaths before getting out of the car.

“Hello,” I called out when I walked into the house.

“Mommy.” Little O came running toward me.

I bent down and picked him up. “Hey, baby.” I kissed all over his cheeks.

We walked further into the house. My father must have been at work because he wasn’t sitting in his favorite recliner. My mother more than likely was in the kitchen, so that was where I headed.

I placed Osiris down, then walked over to my mom at the stove.

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