Page 28 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

Sr.’s face twisted in pain.

“No, I didn’t know.”

“Bullshit—”

“I didn’t know!” Sr.’s voice snapped.

“Karen was jealous, she told me a bunch of lies at the time. Lies that I didn’t give Tasha a chance to explain for herself. Karen and I were already married but I spent most of my time with Tasha and you when you were born. Karen wanted to take me for everything that I worked hard for. She even told me that Tasha was sleeping with the doctor… my best fucking friend! It broke me! I went in a rage and took Tasha to court. I framed her in court and painted a picture for the judge to make sure he ruled in my favor. They thought she was on drugs, leaving you at home by yourself to get high. I forged her parental rights and got you just to hurt her. I didn’t want you because looking at you reminded me of all the pain that Tasha caused. She fought so hard for you, even after the restraining order, so hard that I relocated from California and moved us out here. Late last year…” He paused and then looked away, not wanting to offer the final blow.

“Your mother—Tasha….sh—she died last year.” Sr. whispered in disbelief.

Her sister, your aunt, sent me a long email cursing me. She told me everything about how Karen lied and it was Tasha who actually saw Karen out to dinner with the doctor. Karen was threatening Tasha and even paid a hitman who failed at killing her. Tasha never stopped looking for you, she drove herself insane, even through her last stage of breast cancer that ended up spreading to her bones.” Tears shimmered in Sr.’s eyes, he felt so broken saying it all out loud.

“She’s buried at Inglewood cemetery. I can email you all of your aunt Robin’s information. You have a big family that has been wanting to reunite with you and love on you. I failed you and I’ll never forgive myself for falling into Karen’s trap. I’m divorcing her, she knows this but is in denial. I’m sorry, son.I didn’t know until last year.” He reached out with trembling hands.

Archer stepped back, his world felt like it was tilting. The marble floor felt cold under his shoes. His mother hadn’t abandoned him, she loved him and fought hard so that he didn’t end up in this fucked up household. Karen and his father had stolen him. Stolen him from the woman who loved him. Tasha would have been the first woman to tell him about his worth and would have made him feel whole.

His breath came fast, his heart pounded so loudly in his ears, he could barely hear over it. The final piece of the cold armor that he struggled to wear shattered. He turned and stormed toward the door with Sr. chasing behind him.

“Archer, please?—”

Archer didn’t stop, nor look back. He had someone waiting for him, someone who needed the real him just like he needed the real her. Destiny was someone that he could finally be free for.

“Tasha.” He said his mom’s name lowly with tears traveling down his face at a rapid pace.

“I wish none of this ever happened.”

THIRTEEN

Destiny

The air inside of Archer’s car felt heavy when he climbed back in. Destiny could feel it before she saw it. Pain radiated off him like heat, it thickened in the air and pressed against her chest until her own heart hurt. Archer didn’t look at her or say a word.

He just stared through the windshield, his breath ragged, jaw tight like he was trying to swallow down all of his pain and bury it.

“Baby,” Destiny said softly.

Her voice cracked as she reached over and placed her warm hand on his forearm. The moment her skin touched his, she felt him tremble until his body quaked. A single tear fell, landing on his shirt, followed by many more. He pressed his lips together and shook his head like he was trying his hardest to hold it all in.

He felt like letting it all out would destroy him. It angered him that he couldn’t check his emotions.

Destiny’s heart twisted so hard for him; she couldn’t stop her own tears from falling just as fast as Archer’s. She shifted in her seat and ignored the stiff ache in her knees. She leaned in closer so she could slip her hand to the back of his neck, her thumb stroked there, trying to calm him the best she could.

“I’m right here, you can let it all out. You can’t try to bury pain. When you let it out, it makes it easier to forgive and move past it all so you can live.” She stated softly.

That was something her father told her after she got shot. Destiny was so wrapped up in hate from the betrayal of her so-called best friend at the time, that she couldn’t heal properly. Her father told her over and over to let out all of her sadness and pain so she could move on from it and not be buried in it.

Archer’s head dropped; his chin touched his chest. His shoulders shook once then twice before a broken breath tore out of him.

“They lied to me…” He whispered, voice hoarse, thick with grief and rage.

“My father lied… he fucking lied. My mother…she—” His breath caught, and he swallowed hard like the words were shards in his throat.

“She died last year, Destiny… She died, probably thinking I didn’t want her or need her. They took me from her, robbed her of being a fucking mother to me.”

A sob broke loose, his chest rose and fell like he couldn’t find enough air.

Destiny’s tears kept falling silently down her cheeks as she moved closer. She pressed her forehead to the side of his, wanting her warmth to comfort him.

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