Sweet Taboo

11

DeSean

"Where you at?"My sister shouted over the phone. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?”

I could hear her muttering something under her breath. “What was that?” I asked, feeling guilty.

“I said, here it was Sunday and you need Jesus more than anyone I know, all while missing church.” I didn’t even have to be there to know her face was working overtime.

"I can explain. If you just give me the chance,” I began patiently, determined to somehow make her understand.

"I’ve given you chances. You had all night to call and tell me where you was, and what you was doing." she huffed. “You didn’t call. You abandoned your son, the same thing you accused Camilla of doing.”

Arionna had hit a nerve. “I would never abandon my son. I told you I had to leave. I thought I’d be coming home. Obviously, that didn’t work out.”

“Obviously. I can’t even talk to you right now.” My sister ended the call, which didn’t make me any happier.

I worked to remain calm for the last three minutes of the drive. When I pulled in, I saw her face in the upstairs bedroom for a split second after I hit the button on the remote to open the garage door. I parked the truck and strode into the house. Arionna needed to know what was happening. I wouldn’t condone her being rude to Tegyn.

“Look what the cat drug in,” she grumbled as she stomped down my stairs.

“You can stop with that already. You may be my big sister, but I didn’t move you out here so you could sit and judge me,” I reminded her. My words seemed to have little impact.

“No, you have me here so I could raise your boy while you chased after some white woman.” Her eyes narrowed.

“Is that what you really think?” I eyed her angrily. “I wanted him to be with family when I worked.”

Arionna laughed. “Oh, is that what last night was? Work?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Actually, yes. Someone threw a ball through Tegyn’s window and painted a threat on her life…right on her house.” I shook my head. “How do I abandon her at a time like that? And how could I bring my son with me?”

“That’s too bad.” Ari sighed. “Too bad she don’t have no friends.”

“I’m her friend,” I reminded my sister. “And from what I picked up on last night, her ex was controlling and alienated everyone. She needs me.”

“Right. She needs you. I saw you sniffing around her, DeSean. I know what you want. And it ain’t friendship.” She glared at me as she pushed past me to go to the kitchen. “I gotta make lunch.”

“Okay, well make sure you cook enough for one more,” I warned her.

“What you mean?” Ari leaned on the island angrily. “You invited her for lunch? After last night?”

I swallowed hard. “No, I told her to move in so I can take care of my son and keep her safe.”

“I can’t believe you’re picking a white woman over your family.” Ari shook her head. Only her grip on the granite showed how angry she really was at the moment.

“Stop calling her that. Tegyn isn’t some white woman. She’s a woman. And if you took a moment to get to know her instead of judging her, you’d actually like her.” I moved to stand across from her at the island. “Luckily, you about to get that chance. She’ll be here probably within the hour.”

“Well, I won’t be.” My sister glared at me, her nostrils flaring. “We’re leaving.”

I slapped my hand on the counter. “You kidding me? You just got here.”

“And now we going.” Ari strode toward the stairs.

I turned and realized Necie was sitting on the top step holding Keyon. “Morning, little man. You coming to greet me or what?” I grinned as he reached for the railing so he could make his way down the steps.

“Mama, I don’t want to leave,” Necie mumbled. “I like it here. Uncle DeSean has a nice big house. We can all be here.” She licked her lips before adding hesitantly, “And Tegyn is nice. I like her.”

“You don’t even know her!” Arionna shouted.