“So, a mess, huhn?” Stenton asked, and I knew he was referring to Angela and Alton.
I sighed heavily. “A complete one.”
Stenton nodded.
“Do you know his lawyer contacted her this morning, asking for her medical history and that she take a test at a doctor’s office of his choosing? They’re threatening a DNA test in utero. Do you know how detailed and involved that is? He even wants her to sign an NDA agreement—” My eyes grew upon a revelation. “Is that why you asked me here? He wants me to sign one, too?”
My first thought went to my mother and how I wished she was here to help with this. I didn’t know much about legal matters. I’ve gotten myself into quite a quandary following behind that Angela! What in the world was I going to do?
Stenton chuckled. “I don’t want any parts of that bullshit. Alton and Angela are two adults that are going to have to figure out their affairs alone. That’s what I’ve told Alton…and Tynisha.”
My eyes squeezed shut. I’d momentarily forgotten about Tynisha. But that Alton had some nerve. He was eager to retreat with Angela after training, all summer.
“So, you’re being forced in the middle, too, I see.”
“They tried. I didn’t accept it,” was all he said.
I sulked. “I wish my resolve was that titanium. I’ve been miserable since it went down. According to our cousin, Karen, Angela feels that I don’t have her back and isn’t speaking to me. And that’s completely insane considering the reason I applied for this dumb program in the first place was for her. We’ve been tight since I moved here from South Carolina. My parents were broke and couldn’t find many opportunities down there. Angela’s mother invited us to stay at their place until my mom and dad got on their feet. We lived with Angela’s family for a little over a year before moving out into our own apartment in New Brunswick. Right away, we joined a church that was a part of the C.O.O.L.J.C. organization.”
I chuckled, staring at the table. “It was funny how our lives came together once we moved. My father had always owned his small rubbish company, and brought it along with him to generate new clientele, and he did in due time. My mother got a job as a cafeteria worker for a company the board of education contracted out to. While they were busy settling us, Angela and I were busy bonding.” I shook my head, exasperated. Stenton’s big inked hand reached over to cover mine in comfort. “Angela should have used better judgment!” I stopped to compose myself. The situation had been heavy on my heart more than I realized up until that point.
But I couldn’t stop there. I had more to upchuck and Stenton had this patient air to him, facilitating my need to vent. “We just ended a huge week-long revival at my church…prepared for this for months and when it finally arrives, our church community is in the middle of a fornication scandal,” I giggled, mostly from how ridiculous that statement sounded, yet how true it was. “And then my family, with their archaic views, are demanding marriage, and with Alton that isn’t exactly practical.” Stenton had to laugh at that one. “Needless to say, it’s not a good time in my family or church. And now folks are looking for me to drop the next bomb!”
“How have you been able to not fall into the traps?” he asked as he took a sip of his water. I couldn’t keep myself from ogling his lips. They were the shape of a heart. A full one.
“Traps as in pregnancy?”
He nodded.
“Oh, that won’t happen,” I snorted and delivered unequivocally. “I do things to protect myself. I don’t mind the idea of motherhood. I think it’s the most precious gift on the planet, but in my culture, it has to be accompanied by marriage and I want no parts of that. So, rubbers for me,” I sang off key.
Stenton shook his head, amused.