Page 27 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

She was losing her cool and had to remember that she needed to keep Archer calm. She didn’t need an argument right now carrying over and ruining her husband’s meeting.

“It’s cool, you know what you need. Plus, the doctor keeps my pockets fat, thanks to you fucking him whenever Sr. is out of town.” He stated coldly.

Karen’s posture straightened, all the wind left her as she batted her eyes rapidly. Her jaw tightened, but she forced another fake smile.

“Come help me in the kitchen, I have something I need moved.” She changed the subject.

“Fuck that, and you. Where the fuck is my mom?” his jaw tightened.

Karen’s smile slipped, just slightly, but it was enough for Archer to see that her usual façade was slipping away.

“What did you say?” She asked, blinking.

“My mother.” His tone sharpened.

He was losing the calmness that he possessed before walking in.

“Where the fuck is she?”

“Don’t you dare do this right now!” Her nostrils flared.

“Where is she?” Archer repeated, voice lower, colder.

Karen’s eyes narrowed, her cheeks turning red as her anger surfaced.

“She is no one, Archer. She is nothing but street trash that your father picked up when he was too drunk to remember what he was risking here.” She snapped.

Archer’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t look away, didn’t even blink. Karen stepped closer, her face twisted in rage.

“You should be grateful. Grateful that I agreed to stay. That I agreed to even be a mother to you, after your father cheated on me with that trash ass Black bitch! He never fucking loved her, and he half-ass loved you. All because you were a fucking mistake. It shows, too, every single day, with your defiant, ghetto actions.”

Archer didn’t move, or yell right away. He processed her words and let them settle into him. His fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into the palms of his hand as Karen turned to walk away.

“I’m done with all of you. Tell Sr. to never call me again.”

He turned, ready to leave forever. Archer was ready to go back to Destiny, to the only piece of real he’d ever had.

“Archer.”

That voice froze him, his shoulders stiffened as he slowly turned around.

“Dad.” Archer said, voice full of emotions.

Sr. swallowed and stepped fully out of the hallway. He ran a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair that he dyed every now and then. His eyes searched his son’s, and for the first time, he saw no shield there. He saw a man on the edge of breaking from not knowing the truth.

“Your mother’s name was Tasha Reed.” Sr. said, voice cracking.

“I…I loved her, Archer… I know you may never forgive me, for all of this but I want you to know the truth. I just found out most of the truth late last year.” Sr.’s gaze dropped to the marble floor before he forced himself to meet his son’s eyes again.

“I was young. Karen and I were… we weren’t in love; it was more of an arrangement for both of our families… But Tasha—” His breath shuddered.

“She was everything to me.”

Archer’s vision blurred for a moment as he tried to picture his mother. Her name felt warm in his mouth but tasted like ashes like she was no longer here.

“You lied to me.” Archer’s voice broke.

“All of these years.” He whispered out in disbelief.

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