Page 26 of Risks

Toya peers around the sparse placebefore asking, “Is the person already here?”

I gesture with a wave in thedirection of her father’s booth. “He is.”

Jesiah slowly stands, eyes wide, chestgoing up and down profoundly, quivering as if on the verge of crying.

Time seems to slow down as Toyafollows my focus to the towering man with the same bronzy undertone as hers.

She appears puzzled at first, but Inotice her eyes are squinting. She’s piecing things together.

He steps forward, hand at his heart,gaze watering. “Latoya. My god…” His shaky voice has a mix of delight and pain.“You’re beautiful.”

Toya staggers back and snaps to mewith shock. “What is this?” Her high pitch draws curious looks.

I start to explain, “Toya, listen—”

“—I’m your father,” Jesiah sputters.“My name’s Jesiah Morgan. Your mom and I dated in high school. She told me…”

Toya dashes out the door before hefinishes.

I chase after her. “Baby, wait!”

She halts in her tracks and swingsaround, hand flying across my face.

The slap catches me by surprise andleaves me jolted in its wake.

My jaw stings from the impact. Itouch it while staring at her.

Toya’s breathing heavily, fistsclenched at her sides like she wants to punch me next time.

I’ve never seen her so furious;never been on the receiving end of that dreadful look.

“Let me explain,” I say in apleading tone.

“How could you fucking do this?” sheyells, tears running down her cheeks. “How could you?”

“I just wanted—”

“Wanted what?” She thrashes herhands. “Did you think finding my father would make me burst into joy? Thinkthis is the best Christmas gift? You had no right, Varen. How could you do thisbehind my back after I told you to drop it?”

“Babe…” Ignoring the risk of anotherslap, I step closer to touch her, but she pulls away fast as if I’m a plague.

The door opens behind me.

I peer over my shoulder, though Ialready know it’s Jesiah.

He looks beyond regretful when noneof it is his fault. It’s Lisa’s. Her lie kept them apart all these years.

“Latoya, will you please hear meout?” Jesiah implores, tone gentle and fatherly.

“No!” Toya snaps, her voice shakywith fury. There’s nothing but disdain masking her features. “I don’t want tohear anythingyouhave to say. You’re nothing to me.”

Jesiah cringes at her hurtful words.

“Toya, please,” I insist, attemptingto hold her hand again.

She backs up. “I can’t believe you. Thisdoesn’t come close to telling Alison and Daniel about the letter your mom leftyou. This issomuch worse.”

“I’m sorry. But please hear Jesiahout. You don’t understand—”

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