Page 57 of Awakening
“What are y’all doing here?”
Yanna smiled, her eyes soft. “You really think we were gonna let you walk into this alone?”
I stepped out and was enveloped in a hug from all sides. The kind of hug that reminded you you were seen, supported, and loved. My heart exploded with gratitude. When we finally rang the doorbell, a tall man opened it:David, her husband. I’d snooped on their socials to learn that info as well. He was the pastor of a mega church, and from what I could tell, he wasn’t one of those pretentious finger-wagging, hypocritical pastors; no, he was a tell-it-like-it-is, hold-you-accountable man of the cloth.
He looked me over with curious eyes, then blinked slowly. “Damn, you look just like Kimberly.”
“Hi,” I said, voice shaking, “I’m Ajaih.”
He nodded once, then stepped aside. “Come in. All of you.”
The house was cool, filled with the smell of something baking, sweet and nostalgic.
A girl’s voice floated down the stairs, “Daddy, who’s at the door?”
And then I saw her as she stopped mid-step, her mouth falling open. She was the perfect mix of Kimberly and her father. She shared features similar to mine, such as her freckles, her curly mane, and her eyes —big, brown, and full of questions.
“Ajaih?” she whispered.
I barely nodded before she flew down the stairs and wrapped her arms around me. I held her tightly, my hands shaking as I buried my face in her shoulder.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” she whispered.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
I pulled back just enough to look her in the eye. “Where’s Kimberly?”
“She went to pick up DJ from the airport. He just finished basic training, so he’ll be home before he gets stationed.”
“What branch?” I asked.
“Air Force.”
My heart expanded, joy rising like the sunrise. My little brother and I had something in common. Maybe I’d have more than just blood to build bridges with. A few minutes later, the door opened again, and there she was.
Kimberly.
And beside her, a young man in uniform, my brother. Before anything could be said, Kimberly froze.
DJ’s eyes swept the room, landing on Caleb.
“Nah, nah, nah, no way,” he whispered, “You serious right now? Caleb Black is in our living room?”
We all chuckled as introductions were made, breaking the ice a little. DJ was charming, Kimberly looked overwhelmed, and Lena refused to let go of my hand.
I cleared my throat, heart thudding.
“I came because, well, I got tested. And I’m a match for Lena.”
Gasps and muffled cries filled the space. Kimberly covered her mouth, eyes brimming. DJ hugged his sister fiercely. David closed his eyes and whispered, “Thank you, God,” under his breath.
“I want to help,” I said, “I want to be a donor.”
For a moment, it was just joy, until it wasn’t. I refused to move forward without going back.
I looked at Kimberly. “Why didn’t you ever come for me?”
The room shifted as she stepped closer, visibly shaken. “I was young, scared. I didn’t know how to raise a baby alone. Your father promised to take care of you, us, but he was in the streets, reckless as hell, and I knew if I stayed, he would’ve stayed in those streets until he was dead or in jail. I thought it was the best and only way to save our lives.”
