Page 227 of Own It

“That’s a beautiful name. What made you choose it?” She simpered as Mylo emerged from the kitchen with our drinks. “The bathroom sink is leaking. Fix that for your mother while I get to know your girlfriend, Mylo.”

“Ma, I can do that later,” he argued.

“It’s fine, Mylo.” I simpered. He stared into my eyes, trying to speak to me telepathically as if to say it wasn’t necessary, but I just shook my head.

Mylo conceded, going into the small closet nearby to pull out a big ass toolbox before heading into the back of the home.

Sipping my juice, I said, “I got the name because her biological father’s name is Zaire.”

“Oh, right. I didn’t even make the connection.” She drank some of her iced tea.

“Mylo told you that part?”

“He did. He didn’t give me every detail, but he explained that he’d met a woman that he was serious about, she was pregnant, and that it was by Rah’s younger brother who had passed.”

“Oh.” I sort of relaxed knowing she knew all the gritty details I was scared of being judged on. “I want you to know I didn’t seek Mylo out, nor am I trying to take advantage of him, Dana.”

“I know. Mylo is not the type of man who can be taken advantage of. He is a lot like his father, despite losing him at such a young age. I wished he could’ve grown up with his dad because he needed that guidance. He fell into the streets without it, but he still turned out okay because he’s good at his core.” She smiled.

“He is. He’s not obligated to be around or help me, but it seems like he really wants to.” After drinking more of my juice, I asked, “This doesn’t bother you?”

She looked off briefly, then said, “No, it doesn’t, because all children deserve fathers, so that little girl is lucky that she is still getting one even though hers has passed on. However, when Mylo told me, I did want to meet you just to feel you out.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think you’re a nice girl but just maybe a little misguided, a lot like Mylo. Good down to the core but just have made some mistakes and need to learn some things.”

Damn. She could read people really well.

“Wow. Yeah, that is me.”

“Are your parents around?”

“Dad died freshman year of high school, and my mom and I are estranged, have been for years,” I admitted.

Dana nodded as if she’d figured as much.

“Well, Téa, being a mother is hard work, but it is even harder when you don’t have your own mother around to help you or give advice, not unsolicited.”

“I know.” I nodded, fidgeting.

Moving my hair behind my shoulder and making me look up and over at her, Dana said, “I’m happy to be there for you whenever you feel you need it.”

“Really?” I had to quell the tears threatening to fall. Being pregnant had me extremely emotional and even more so on topics that already pained me.

“Yeah.” She bobbed her head. “I always wanted a daughter but was blessed with just one son. And, I feel that all women need mothers, especially during a time like this. Then maybe with a little help, love, and encouragement, you can bloom into the woman you’re meant to be. I can see it already.”

I could only nod, feeling a lone tear cascade down my face. Dana set her glass down and pulled me into a tight hug, her perfume the most comforting smell in this moment.

“You know you’re the first girl he’s brought around me since high school?”

“Really?” I pulled back but only slightly. Dana nodded, hiking her brow to tell me in no uncertain terms that that meant a lot.

“Ma. You made her cry?” I heard Mylo’s deep voice pepper the room, making me laugh as I sniffled.

“Shut up, boy.” Dana waved him off as she released me.

“Baby, you good?”