Page 88 of Hale's Pawn
My eyes widen. That’s a young age to be responsible for keeping people safe in this country.
Andres continues, “Life is full of opportunities that you can take if only you’re willing to jump, but sometimes you have to duck. I taught my daughter to jump at opportunities but as you know, her mother taught her to hide. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever known because through everything, she still loves me and now, she loves you. Now you two are going to have a baby.”
I nod. The talk of being a father doesn’t scare me per se, but it’s what comes with it. “How did you know you’d be a good father?” I ask.
“I didn’t. No father ever knows, we just do. Trust me, you won’t be perfect and you won’t ever think you’re perfect, but your child will always see you as that, especially if you are there for them.” Andres takes a sip of his coffee and he looks at me. “Don’t be scared, because you won’t be like Elmer. There was once good in him. You know, we were friends from childhood until high school. Your grandfather shaped him into the man that you saw. He wasn’t always so obsessed with things being his, but like I told you, we have choices and sometimes we choose to fuck up.”
“Wow, I always thought he was born a fuck-up,” I say.
Andres chuckles. “He might as well have been born one. He was fucked from birth, but it doesn’t mean he couldn’t have stopped and changed once he had you in his life. You deserved more and better.”
“Thank you.” I don’t know what to even say. No one has ever said that to me, that I deserved a better father.
We sit in silence and then Andres breaks that. “So, what do you think of the real estate around this establishment? Like this entire street?”
“Including this coffee shop?”
“Yeah.”
“I think you’d get your money tripled if you put a store or something near the coffee shop.”
Andres nods. “Mmm, okay, well, I’m glad you like it. It’s my gift to you to congratulate you on being a father. I know you have your company and everything, but sometimes, having something outside of the Founder’s name and Island, gives your child, or children, the chance to know they don’t have to limit themselves to one place in life. They can soar.”
“Thank you, I appreciate this.” I scratch my light scruff. Ainslee likes it, so I keep it. “Can I call you dad? Is that too weird?”
Andres shakes his head and smiles wide. “You can call me dad, son. I gain another son, so for me, it’s perfect. I’ll do my best by you too.”
I smile at that. Andres stands and so do I. He pulls me into a hug. One that the little twelve-year-old boy who was lost and confused when he first stepped foot here with his mom never got. He deserved a better father, a better life. Not just for him, but for his mom too.
“It’s been a long time coming with this hug,” I say and Andres chuckles.
“You’re right. Now, come on, let’s bring you back to your wife, she’s texted me about twenty times wondering when I’ll bring you back. She thinks I shot you and buried you already. No faith in me whatsoever.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “My wife loves me a lot. Sometimes, I think if I ever go on a trip, she’s going to hide herself in my suitcase.”
Andres shakes his head, trying not to laugh. “She’s small enough to fit too. That daughter of mine is special.”
“Yes, sir.”
We walk out of the coffee shop and head back to the car. It’s odd that I’m with Andres Bishops, my father-in-law, and I get it now. I feel untouchable. Mikonos is hanging back by the Escalade. “When did you get here and aren’t you supposed to be busy?” I ask him.
“Your wife doesn’t respect my authority, obviously. She wanted me to tell you that the baby kicked.” He rolls his eyes. “I’ve got better shit to do.”
I laugh. “Well guys, that’s my cue. I gotta go see about my baby.”
I smile as I head off towards my car. Shit, I’m going to need a different car than my Maserati.
41
Last Chapter
A few months later
AINSLEE
Oran’s childneeds to come out of me. We refused to see the results until the baby is born, then we’ll do a baby shower then too. Karessa’s mom tells me that if I want this baby out, I need to do more walking and some light exercise. I decided to make it a YouTube video since Oran encouraged me to share some personal things with my viewers. The first time I did it, I shared my story of getting physically abused by my mother and I even told others who shared their stories that someone will always be there to listen. They are not alone. We are not alone.
I sigh as I stand in the living room with some weird-ass video making me do hip-thrusts. I look at my camera, pouting. “Guys, this is weird, isn’t it?” I laugh as the music changes and I decide to get into it. I know Oran is going to give me the side-eye for my choice of a sports bra and gym shorts but honestly, I couldn't bother with anything else. My hair has grown out again and I’m debating cutting it again. Willow Smith’s song Wait a Minute comes on and I smile. “See, now this song, I can do the hip thrusts to.”
