Page 127 of Taeja

From the documentation of giving birth to moving to America years ago. Her last location was outdated — it was from nine years ago. Even her driver’s license was outdated. The only thing that proved Cassedi was alive and well, was a post from three months ago on a popular social media platform.

Taeja clicked on the post, her eyes widening at the image. “Cassedi has a baby?”

Tears sprung to Taeja’s eyes as she read the caption: ‘My cookie and I two years ago today!’

Re-reading the post felt like shoving a sharp knife into her own heart. Over, and over and over until the organ was nothing but a cold shell.

“Wow,” Taeja bitterly laughed and exited the post.

She glared at her mother, who smiled back at her. Cassedi’s smile was so familiar even though she hadn’t seen it in years. Taeja couldn’t tell if the picture was old or not, but Cassedi didn’t look like she aged a day.

The longer she stared at the picture, her bitterness seeped away and was replaced by another emotion.

Longing.

Taeja wondered why she never searched this platform for her mother. She always thought senior citizens were the only ones who used it.

Sighing, she printed the information and dropped it in a portfolio. She wiped beneath her eyes before going to the kitchen. Damon stood by the island, taking big bites out of the sandwiches he held in both hands. One looked like plain peanut butter and the other looked like jelly.

She forced a smile. “Hey.”

“Did you find what you were looking for?” he asked.

She nodded. “Thanks.”

“Come here,” he said, resting his sandwiches on the plate on the counter.

Taeja stepped into his hold. Usually, she would’ve felt at peace from hugging Damon. Her body would simmer with heat, and she’d wear the brightest smile.

None of that happened this time.

Taeja was numb.

Even as he held her tightly and brushed her hair out of the way so he could place two long kisses on her forehead.

“Talk to me,” he said.

“I don’t know what to say,” Taeja confessed. “I think I need some time to process this.”

Damon pulled away. “Do you want to be alone?”

“I want Liyah.”

“Okay. I’ll go find her—”

She chuckled. “Calm down. I have her number. I’ll call her like a normal person.”

“Okay.” He grinned and went back to eating his sandwiches.

Taeja called Liyah. Liyah was on her way over to Mason, but she invited Taejato tag along. Thirty minutes later, they were blazing down the highway.

“Thanks for picking me up. I really need some air,” Taeja said.

Liyah smiled. “No problem. Your man puts the R in rich.”

Taeja grinned. “Damon has a lot going for him. If you think the outside looks good, you should see the inside.”

“One day when the madman nuh ova deh.”

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