Page 55 of Risks

He observes the place while wiping hispalms on his jeans, seeming as nervous as Lisa.

Closing the door, I gesture for himto enter the living room.

Jesiah walks through the doorway andhalts when he sees Lisa. There’s a lengthy pause as both regard each other. It’sbeen eighteen years.

Features taut, Jesiah squares hisshoulders and lifts his chin. “Why?”

I back out of there to give themprivacy, but I don’t drift far enough where I can’t hear Lisa’s answer.

“I thought I would ruin your life,and you’d resent me had you stayed for our baby. Then as time went on, Iconvinced myself that I didn’t need you. That Toya didn’t need you. My fatherdenied me, and I internalized that pain and stole the opportunity from mydaughter.”

“God,” Jesiah grunts. “No wonder shedidn’t even want to see you after you got hurt.”

Lisa utters a pained sound. “Youhave every right to be upset. What I did was awful.” Her voice breaks. It’squiet until she speaks again. “I’m so very sorry, Jesiah. So sorry.”

“Sorry?” The rumble in his voicemakes me cringe.

Dad steps out of his office then, apinch between his brows.

“I was going to marry you, Lisa,”Jesiah yells. “I would have taken care of you.”

Dad shifts with palpable unease,looking like he’s about to walk into the living room.

“I wanted Latoya,” Jesiah adds. “Iwould have been a damn good father. You...” He hurls out a curse. “You stoleeighteen years from us! I would have loved to watch her grow up. Teach herthings.Bondwith her!”

Lisa’s sobbing grows louder. “I’msorry. I was wrong.”

“Keep your damn apology. I don’teven know why I came. This was a mistake.”

Jesiah comes stomping out of theliving room, stopping when he sees Dad and me. His eyes are red and watery witha mixture of anger and hurt.

With a low huff, he storms out thefront door, slamming it shut behind him.

Dad rumbles at the action, then stepsinto the living room. I follow. He pauses, watching Lisa cry, unable to meetour eyes.

Conceding, Dad closes the gap andpulls her into his arms, hand at her head as she sobs against his shoulder.

Just as he’s helping her recover fromher injuries, I suspect his heart won’t let her go on in pain without hiscomfort.

Perhaps they’ll move past her lieafter all. But it won’t be as easy for Toya or Jesiah. They’re the ones affectedthe most.

27

New semester. New classes.

It’s been over two weeks sincereturning to college, and I’m still avoiding Mom’s phone calls.

Varen said she invited Jesiah to thehouse to apologize to him. I’m not surprised that it didn’t go well. Herapology won’t erase the lie or the damage it caused.

“You seem a little distracted thisevening,” Jasper remarks, walking out of the meeting room with me.

I sigh before speaking. “I had quitean eventful holiday. It’s affecting my writing.”

“Yeah, your short was incredibly drytoday.”

“Wow.” I dip my head back and scoff.“Thanks for the honesty.”

He smirks. “Hey, it happens. Thetrick is to not focus so hard. Writing is supposed to be an escape.”

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