I laid my head on Jade's lap as I cried. He didn't love my Mama but Mama spent her life hoping. He didn't even seem like he would care about me. When he said no, my body automatically took me home without saying a word to anyone.

Once I had gotten home, I found Jade in the garage and I cried to her. She took me into the house and let me rest my head on her lap. That was Mama's way of comforting both of us. I had seen her comfort Jade like that, although Jade barely cried but whenever she was down, Mama's lap was our resting place.

I cried and she let me cry while using her hand to play with my curls. "I can't believe he didn't love my Mama" I sobbed and she said nothing in reply. She only allowed me to cry to my fill before she started to talk. "The truth is, based on what I heard from Rissa and Caroline. Alex was only playing your mom because of a friend made him do it" she said. At this point I don't know if she was trying to comfort me or only make me feel worse.

"It was all a game till you came into the picture. Yes your mom was only a kid and yes it was an accident but I don't think God is ever stranded despite our mistakes" Jade said and I sat up. I wiped my eyes before putting on my glasses. "You know the bible says all things work together for good for those that love God" she said and I nodded.

"God didn't plan for your parents bring you into the world the way they did. But, now that you're growing to love God. I know God can turn all these and bring out good" Jade said and changed her sitting position. She brought up her legs. "Think of all the goodness God can make out of this?" She asked and smiled.

*****
"Are you crazy? You are sending her back there?" I heard aunt Rissa yell at Jade. "Marissa at least hear me out" Jade said but aunt Rissa kept ranting. "If you don't stop, I'll hang up on you and not pick your calls" Jade finally yelled and the line went quite.

"Thank you for complying" Jade said like a courteous lady. It made me giggle. Only she can switch from sweet to wild in one minute. "Do you think I don't love her too?" Jade asked. "I know you do but..." Aunt Rissa started to talk. "But, she's growing up and we can't box her forever!. This is part of her identity and we should not take that away from her" Jade said. "If she can't handle, she will call you and Caroline and I will send her back to you too. But first. Please let her do this on her own" she said and I heard aunt Rissa sigh.

"If she ever gets hurt... Remember she's Natalia's daughter" aunt Rissa said and hung up. "So I can go try again?" I asked and Jade nodded. I jumped on her while squealing with joy. "Don't get too excited Cardia, you don't know what you'll be facing" Jade warned. "I'll be strong this time, I promise. I'll remember to be the lion of the tribe of Judah's daughter. I will roar" I said and attempted a sorry roar. "Jesus! child. If you're gonna do it, do it right" Jade collapsed on the floor in laughter, pulling me with her.

Saturday afternoon, I knocked on the door, expecting something to open the door but no one came. I knocked and waited. I took a deep breath and started to shout his name. "Alexander Sterling!" I screamed. Feeling a rush of excitement in my body. I've never been so bold or so loud before. I just know that I needed to see my father.

"Alexan-" the words were lost when the door was yanked open and I saw Oliver. All my courage melted away. "H-Hi" I stuttered. My cheek felt hot because I felt embarrassed. "Hey you" Oliver said kindly and my fear melted right away. "You came back" he said and I nodded. "You know your way up, right?" He asked and I nodded again. Oliver smiled kindly at me. "Go on in" he said and moved out of the way for me.

I sighed, relieved that it was Oliver I met and not Jim. I'm terrified of Jim. I looked back and saw Oliver rubbing his face, he looked exhausted. I continued walking. I went through the route that Jim led me through yesterday. When I got to the door this time around. I knocked without hesitation.

Almost instantly, the door was opened and I was face to face with Alexander. His hair was down today. He had a scowl on his face and was looking very much scary but I wasn't scared of him at all. "You again? Who keeps letting you in" I said and I folded my arms.

"I've come back" I said and he groaned, "get out" he ordered. "But what if I don't want to leave, I want to stay here" I said and he bent forward. Alexander was a huge man and I had a petite stature. It seemed like David and Goliath facing off.

"I already told you I didn't love your mom, It was a mistake that should never had happened, okay?" He said and I got angry. "Don't talk about my mom like that" I wanted to say boldly but it came as a squeak. "If you don't want to hear me talk her like that, then scurry on out of here" he hissed at him and stood up straight.

"I told you I'm not going anywhere" I said stubbornly. "I can and I will kill you" he said, yesterday that statement scared me but today I was harmed with an information Chelsea leaked to me. "You can't hurt women and children and i'm both" I said, moving closer to him in a daring manner. When he didn't respond I softened. "I'm not leaving because you need me" I said and he laughed.

It was a long and harsh laugher. "I don't even want you!. what makes you think I need you" I said while poking my shoulder. Tears fill my eyes. "You don't just need me, you need love. I want to love you" I said.

"I have everything I want" he hissed, "but you're lonely, you living in this giant house and you're so alone" I said. A smile appeared on his face, "Don't be silly, I have regular visitors every night. What do you know about Love?" he said and I shook my head. "That's why I'm here to teach you. Whether you like it or not I'm staying and there's nothing you can do" I said defiantly. "I'm not the kind of guy that plays house but let's play this game Miss Love" he said and I smiled. "Where is my room?" I asked excitedly.

*****
Alexander and His daughter 🤧🤧
What do you think?