Part 24 - Family Matters
Deon took in the scene around him the only way he knew how. He triaged the scenario. Who needed him the most right now? Who could wait?
He looked at Amina behind him. She looked upset, afraid, uncertain but he could see the wheels turning. She was processing this. Mrs. Stacey, just looked a little embarrassed. Mr.Juan just seemed lost. But Sierra, she was a mess. On the floor, staring off into nothing. He was already moving towards her.
"Okay. Maybe we should take this elsewhere." He said taking Sierra by the hand and helping her to her feet.
"Oh, we have a reservation, we can discuss-" Stacey began
"Nah." Deon said cutting her off. "This seems like it should be done in private." He said glancing around.
Stacey did the same. "Okay. You're right. Any ideas."
"My place. Nobody will interrupt there. Y'all can talk this out there."
"Deon, it's a nice offer but we don't want to burden you." Amina chimed in.
"It's not a burden. I'm here for you." He looked down at Sierra. "Both of you."
Sierra didn't respond. Amina gave a soft smile.
"Okay Deon. Lead the way." Juan said.
"Actually, why don't we take separate rides. Y'all just dropped a bomb on these ladies and they could probably use the time to process. It's a bit of a drive, so hopefully by the time we get there, everyone has cooler heads and clearer minds."
"...okay." Stacey said.
"It's a plan then. I'll send you the address Juan. Sierra, Amina, you're with me."
The girls both nodded and followed Deon out of the hotel.
"He's quite the guy." Stacey said. "Perhaps I mis-assessed him."
"What?" Juan said with a frown.
"Nothing, I just thought he reminded me of a boy I knew. But perhaps not."
"Still a day dreamer. Come on let's get this over with." He said exiting the hotel.
Stacey followed quietly. I half smile in her face.
———
Deon opened the Uber door for Amina. She scooted to the far side. He motioned for Sierra to join her, but she didn't budge.
"Sorry, Deon, but could you sit in the middle? I know it sounds bad, but I don't want to sit next to her."
"Yeah, that's fine. Whatever you need, Si."
She smiled — soft, but forced. It was the first smile of hers he'd ever disliked.
They settled in. As his body relaxed, his mind spiraled.
They're sisters. Twins. Fuck, I'm stupid.
I fell for someone who looks just like Sierra. What does that even say about me? How did I miss it?
He glanced at them — two versions of the same face, both shattered in different ways. Truth is stranger than fiction, he thought. And I'm trash for playing the lead.
Amina's arm slipped through his. She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Deon... I'm scared."
"Amina, I can't even imagine. But I'm here. If you need me to be."
She nodded softly.
Sierra lowered her head onto his leg, gripping his jeans.
He brushed a hand through her hair. It was something she'd asked him to do when they were kids—back when life was simpler. The motion relaxed her instantly.
And that's when the realization hit: he was sandwiched between two women he loved, and both of them were depending on him to keep it together.
The Uber driver's eyes caught his in the mirror, smirking.
It ain't as lucky as it looks, Deon thought.
"Deon," Amina whispered. "I have a sister, don't I?"
He hesitated. "...Yeah."
"You love my sister?"
He looked down at Sierra. "Yeah." Her grip on his jeans tightened.
"And me?"
"Absolutely."
"Then maybe," Amina murmured, "I can love both my dads."
He smiled faintly. "Let's start with getting to know the new one first."
"Mhm." She clung tighter.
He noticed the blue Okinawa bracelet on her wrist—the one he'd given her. He looked down at his own, a matching red. That made him smile, faintly.
He leaned back and closed his eyes.
We're okay... right?
No one answered.
—————
Meanwhile,
"Stacey, how's this going to go?"
"I'm not sure either, Juan. I didn't expect this."
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know." She laughed weakly. "That she'd leap into my arms and we'd cry together. That she'd be excited to get to know me — maybe sad about the time we lost."
"Yeah, you definitely dream big."
"You talk as if you still know me."
"No," he said softly. "I just remember a seventeen-year-old girl standing under the stars on the football field by herself."
"Juanito..."
"I don't know the woman you've become. But that girl—" he took a breath, fighting the sting behind his eyes. "I fucking loved that girl."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I remember an awkward boy being on that field too."
"That was a long time ago. I'm not that boy anymore."
"I'm still that girl." She reached over and took his hand.
He hesitated, then squeezed back. "I love my daughter, Stace. My wife. My family."
"Me too. But I love them both. When I saw Sierra again today, my heart nearly burst. I love that girl so much, and I don't even know her."
"She's an amazing woman," he said quietly. "Poor taste in men."
Stacey smirked faintly. "Really? Deon seems like a nice guy."
"Deon isn't the guy she's with."
"But they—"
"I know."
"And he—"
"Yeah, it's obvious."
"But she still—"
"Yup."
Stacey smiled wistfully. "Guess she takes after her mother."
"Maybe," Juan said, turning back toward the window. His wedding ring caught the light as his hand clenched on his knee.
The rest of the car ride was silent.
The hum of the tires filled the space between them.
And both of them pretended not to wonder what might happen if it didn't end there.