Continued from: Genesis: If Only I Knew Before Now
I saw a look of horror stretched across my mom’s face. And my “dad” Jarren appeared angry as he would normally be when I’m gone too long without him knowing about it. When I got out and got my tote bags and extra bags for myself and the family, Mr. Xander rose out of the car like he was on a mission.
Next thing I knew, my “dad” angrily approached him and started shouting.
“What the hell your ass doing here?”
“Excuse me, Jarren. Karena, tell Michael that I’m his biological father.” When Mr. Xander said that, we all looked to my mom who just stared back at us.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cynthia walking up. Damn, if only I knew before now.
If only I knew before now that Cynthia was going to show up unexpectedly, I probably would have done something to change the course of action. But no, it was too late now, and both of them was looking at my mom with different expressions on their face. I stared her way waiting just like them for her answer.
My mom glanced nervously around quickly in a 180 degrees turn. She diverted her eyes to the two women who were sitting on the porch talking animatedly about us probably. Then, my mom made a gesture for us to follow her and we all ended up going into the backyard.
My sister, Tiana calmly motioned for Cynthia to follow her and I was glad she did. I did not for the sake of my embarrassment for her to witness and hear what’s going to happen. It was too much to deal with at this time.
“So, anyone wants to tell me why Mr. Xander is saying what he’s saying?” I asked after seeing the three of them exchanged looks as if those looks could kill. I just want them or my mom rather to stop beating around the bush and just say what needs to be said already. I hate when people prolong the inevitable.
My mom lightly touches my arm and smiles sadly. The answer was in her dark brown eyes and all I could do was slap my hands against the side of my head. I really didn’t need someone else to tell me what I already know by now. Though, I feel like it was better if I could hear it from my mother’s mouth, whenever that will be.
“Michael, sit down for me, please.” And I did, a little too quickly.
As my mom took a seat next to me. I saw out of the corner of my eye, both of my dads exchanging words in a heated fashion. This weekend had gone from strange to upsetting for me. I love my mom, don’t get me wrong, but this is out of character for her to do.
“Michael, yes, Xander is your biological father.” She actually rubbed my hands like she would do when I was a kid, and when she would explain something to me she felt I need understanding more about.
Well, I receive my truth. I already guess I should have known how Mr- uh, my birth dad treated me all along. The fact that they all knew for so long, but not that long because I’m not that old, it made me wonder if adults can ever be trusted.
“How do you feel about that, son?” my mom was asking, but any words after that was drowning out by the sound of loud arguing. I turned my head and saw my dads up in each other face, fists balled up at the sides, faces twisted in anger.
“I told you, you couldn’t keep me out of my son’s life forever!” I heard Xander say. The fatherly love that shone through his eyes when he mentioned “son” was taking the word weird to a whole new level. I mean, I feel this way because this is still new to me. Then again, this may me think about how my other dad who raised me knew he wasn’t my father yet still raised me as his own.
“You think just because you laid with my wife and she had your son that you going to keep showing your face and disrespect me? Huh? Get the hell out! You had your say. You spent time with your son, now-get-the-fuck-out. Now!” My dad Jarren was shaking and his skin appeared flushed. The stare he gave Xander was enough to engulf the man in hellish flames. I have seen him angry before, but not to this degree to Xander.
There was no way I am going to come between and stop to big grown-ass men from fighting. They are both at six feet or above and weighing perhaps 250 pounds I’m guessing. And there’s me who is 5’9 and weighing 138 pounds. Yeah, I know. I should stay out of it.
“Hey! Stop fighting!” My mom yells out, rushing over to them.
I stayed where I was and shook my head in astonishment. Like adults wanted us to do is to stay out of their business, even if it is about me I am staying out of it.
As I headed to go back to the house through the back door, one foot on the first stone step, a baritone tone called my name. I saw that it was my dad Xander.
“Michael, follow me to my car, quickly!” He grabbed my arm and before I know it he had me sprinting along with him back to his car.
“Wait! Why am I leaving with you?” I voiced, but it went on deaf ears as he literally pushed me into his car.
As I got my composure and sat up, I looked out of the window and heard my mom yelling for me to get out the car. Everyone started talking at once to the point it was becoming deafening. I was lost at what was best for me to do. My mom and dads were all angry and telling me what I should do.
At that point, I did what I wanted to do because some things haven’t changed for as long as I can remember. And that is the three of them constantly arguing and fighting over me. From keeping secrets to pushing me off to go with Xander somewhere all these years to controlling my entire life. I had enough so I got out and announce that I was going to my friend Craig’s house for the rest of the evening.
They were baffled but I didn’t care. I felt drained and adults don’t ever think how their actions can affect the child(ren). It was too much at once that I can bear. As I started walking, I saw Cynthia coming out of my house. She rushed towards me and gave me a hug.
I looked back at my parents and told them I was going to Cynthia’s instead.
©2020 Pamela E. Hester
