Page 75 of The Prodigy

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Malika

“Daddy,Ihavesomethingto tell you.”

“Good news, I hope.”

I was glad he couldn’t see the grimace on my face. I was terrified of having this conversation, but I didn’t wanna keep putting it off.

“Good news. Ummmmm…well, that depends on how you look at it, I guess.”

“You’re going to college?” The hope in his voice broke my heart.

“No. Well, not just yet. It’s…it’s something else.”

“Okay. Lemme brace myself.”

His loud, braying laugh made me smile, but my joy was short-lived.

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I got…married.”

Somehow, the silence on his end of the phone got even quieter. I listened intently, hoping to hear a breath or a chuckle or some indication that he wasn’t about to fly up from Tampa and make me pick out a switch.

“Did you just saymarried?”

“Yes.”

“Is this a joke? You know I don’t like that.”

That, I knew. The man was notorious for lacking a sense of humor. Me and Dionne played an April Fool’s trick on him once, and, well, never again.

“It’s not a joke, Daddy. I really got married.”

“And you didn’t invite me?”

The pain in his voice was unmistakable. I closed my eyes and willed myself not to tear up.

“Nobody was there but me and him. We went to the courthouse.”

“Courthouse? Are you pregnant?”

“No. That’s not why I did it.”

“Then, why?”

Well, shit. I couldn’t exactly tell him the truth.

“It just happened. We got caught up in the romance.”

“Okay.” He chuckled. “Okay. This sound like some bullshit to me, but okay. I ain’t even gon’ fuss at you. You’re old enough to be as reckless and stupid as you see fit.”

“Ouch.”

“Put yourself in my shoes, Malika.”

“I know.”

“Did you honestly expect me to be happy about this?”

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