by Ancelli
His older sister Carolyn answered, smirking at him. “Apparently yours.”
Jeremy didn’t answer, just stared with his mouth slightly open in disbelief.
“Carolyn and Jack, go to your rooms. We need to talk to him alone.” Their father spoke sternly. Jack went up the stairs, but his sister didn’t move. “Now, Carolyn!”
She took one more look at him and ran upstairs.
“I knew she was a bad influence. Her kind always does this.” Jeremy’s mother paced in front of the baby. “What are we going to do with an infant?”
“What are you talking about, Mom?”
His dad handed him a letter. Jeremy started reading.
Jeremy,
This is the product of what we did. Please take care of her, because I can’t. I love her with all my heart, but I have nothing to offer her. I have no one, but you have your family. I know they will love her, because she’s part of you.
Malanie
“Is this your baby?” his father asked him, but he was still in shock. “Answer me, boy!”
Jeremy just looked at the baby, unable to form words, any words. This is what she was trying to tell me that day. The baby was so tiny, with skin the color of nutmeg and brown, curly hair, favoring Malanie.
“Answer me!” his Dad yelled, stepping in front of him.
He turned to look up at his dad. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I mean if Malanie is her mother, then yes, she is mine.”
“What do you mean ‘if Malanie is her mother’? Didn’t you read the freaking letter? She is.”
“I haven’t seen her in months, Dad. I didn’t know she was pregnant. She never told me.” He sat down next to the baby.
“How can she just abandon her baby on us? What will people say? What will we say? I mean, she might not fit in….” She kept ranting, her face getting red with anger. “Look at her.”
“Mom!” Jeremy yelled. “She’s my baby!”
“How do you know she’s yours? I wonder how many boys she slept with?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“It’s only been me.” He spoke sadly, remembering that night. At long last, his father spoke up.
“Does it look like I care what people think? Carol, I like Malanie. She is a fine young girl. She didn’t do this on her own. It takes two and our son was right there with her.”
“I do. It’s just like black girls to do shit like this.” His mom glared at Jeremy.
“You know how I feel about racist shit. I don’t want to hear another racist comment in this house!” he yelled.
“Son,” his dad said. “This is how this is going to work. First, we are going over to Malanie’s house and get some answers, and then we are going to get a paternity test to ease your mother’s concern, but for the record, I do believe she is your baby.”
“Yes, sir,” Jeremy answered.
***
On their way to Malanie’s house, his dad said, “Son, how many times did I talk to you about protection? If you were going to have sex, be freaking safe.”
“Dad, it happened once.” He couldn’t look at his dad.
“That’s all it took. Being a father is a big responsibility,” his dad said, driving into her neighborhood. Her house was located in a bad area of town. He could see the expression in his father’s eyes as they arrived.
They exited the car, and his dad made sure to lock the doors and set the alarm, something he never usually did.
They went up the cracked stairs and his dad knocked on the door. Mrs. Johnson answered and when she saw who it was, her eyebrows met. She wasn’t happy. Jeremy remembered the threat she’d made the last time he’d been there.
“Good evening, Mrs. Johnson. I’m Jim Wood,” his dad said, extending his hand to shake hers, but she just glared at him. He pulled back his hand. “Can we speak to Malanie?”
“No you can’t.” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Ma’am it’s very important I speak with your daughter. It’s abo—”
“Malanie no longer lives here. She left months ago. She went to live with relatives and even if she were here, you wouldn’t be speaking to her.”
Jeremy stepped up from behind his father. “Mrs. Johnson, it’s about the baby.”
“What baby?” She put her hands on her hips.
“Our baby,” he said, backing up because she stormed forward.
“What the fuck are you talking about? Malanie doesn’t have a baby.” She glared at him.
His dad put his hands up. “Ma’am, please watch the way you speak to my son.”
“He is lying on my child,” she said, shaking.
“He’s not lying. Your daughter left her baby on my porch with a letter and a birth certificate stating, she’s the mother, and she can’t take care of her.”
Mrs. Johnson just stared at them in disbelief. “I would know if my daughter was pregnant. I would’ve noticed. You’re mistaken.” She backed up to close her door.
His dad stopped her. “Can we have her number or address?”
“No, you can’t. Don’t come back.” She slammed the door in their faces.
“Let’s go home.” They stepped away from the house and walked through the broken gate. “She’s high. I don’t blame Malanie for leaving my granddaughter with us,” his father said, clicking the alarm off. “Do you know anything about her father?”
They entered the car and drove off. “After her parents divorced, Malanie said her father moved to Canada, but he cut all communication with her because he felt betrayed she chose to stay with her mom.”
“Did she mention any relatives?”
“No, sir, but I know someone who might know.” Jeremy dialed Carmen’s number.
“Hola,” she answered.
“Hi Carmen, it’s Jeremy.”
“What do you want?”
Carmen had never really cared for him.
“Have you seen Malanie? It’s very important.”
There was a moment of silence before she answered. “No, I haven’t seen her lately. Last time I saw her was months ago, when she told me goodbye.”
“Did she tell you where she was going?” he asked desperately.
“Honestly, Jeremy, all bullshit aside, I really don’t know where she is—but if I knew, I wouldn’t be telling you.” She hung up.
“Does she know where Malanie is?” his dad asked.
“No.”
***
Jeremy’s dad explained to his mother what happened over at Malanie’s house, and then he turned to Jeremy.
“Son, you’re only seventeen, but you were man enough to have unprotected sex and now you’re a father, so you have to man up. From now on, after school you will come home, do your homework, and take care of your child. After you graduate high school, in a couple months, you’re going to join the military, and support your daughter. I don’t care which branch.” His dad just stared at him. Jeremy could see the disappointment. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Dad.”
Chapter Three
Four months later
Up in his room, Jeremy tried to put his baby to sleep and study at the same time. At first, it had been very hard for him. He knew nothing about babies, but with the help of his parents and siblings he’d gotten through the first couple of months. Now she was his life. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.
Usually when she was tired she would grab his shirt with her tiny fist and suck on her thumb until she fell asleep.
He rocked her to sleep and kissed her nose. “I love you, princess.”
His little brother Jack entered his room. “I miss her too, you know.”
“You miss who, Jacky?”
“Malanie.” Jack and his dad were the only people in his family who had known he and Malanie were more than friends, until the baby. “She always stuck up for me when you tried to beat me up.”
Jeremy laughed, remembering those times. He would te
ll his mom they were studying, but in reality they just wanted to be together, and Jack would always interrupt them. “I bet wherever she is, she misses you too.”
“I’m praying she’ll come back one day.” With that, he turned and left and closed the door.
There was a soft knock on his door, and his dad entered. “I have good and bad news. Which one do you want first?”
Jeremy looked up at his father and closed the book he’d been studying for his finals. “I guess the good.”
“I found Malanie’s father.”
Jeremy got excited and jumped, almost waking the baby. He rocked her a couple of times, then gently placed her in her crib and turned to his dad. “You found her!”
The look on his father’s face answered his question.
“Son, I contacted her father, and he was even worse than her mother. He said he didn’t want anything to do with her, or her child. I’m sorry, son, I’ve tried everything to find her.” His father hugged him. “At first I was disappointed in you, but now I’m so proud of you. You’re graduating with honors and you’ve accepted your responsibilities.”
His mom entered his room with a baby bottle in her hand. “She must be hungry?” she asked, searching his room, walking toward her crib.
“Mom, I already fed her. She’s down for the night,” he said, thinking about Malanie, wondering where she could she be, if she was okay.
“We won’t be here tomorrow when you come home from school. I’m taking her to Mommy and Me playgroup.” She tossed the words casually over her shoulder as she left his room.
“Can you believe your mother? Only months ago, she was saying ‘what would people think,’ and look at her now. She would be lost without Alanie.” His dad cleared his throat. “Good night.”
Jeremy stared lovingly at his daughter. “I pray she’s okay. You deserve to know your mother.” He laid a feather-light touch on her chubby cheek. “I hope she didn’t leave you because of me.”
***
Right after he graduated from boot camp, Jeremy applied for an officers commission program called Seaman to Admiral, which allowed him to spend more time with his baby girl. He also convinced Derrick William—they’d practically gotten each other through boot camp—to apply. Both were accepted. The Navy paid him to go to school and finish his degree in Human Resources.
He always put his daughter first—in everything he did, Alanie came first. He gave up on searching for Malanie and put all his efforts into raising his daughter and being a better man. He made sure he scheduled his classes around her needs.
Four years had passed by so fast. He stood in front of his peers, celebrating his accomplishment. His father, mother, and daughter sat in the front. After his commissioning ceremony, with tears in his eyes, his father grabbed him.
“We’re so proud of the man and father you’ve become.”
Chapter Four
Six years later
Jeremy sat next to his daughter Alanie, his sister Carolyn, and her two boys, Tomas and Blake. He smiled, observing his little girl. She’d grown up so fast. It seemed like only yesterday when she learned to walk, but look at her now: ten years old going on twenty. She reminded him so much of her mother. Alanie was a bookworm, just like her. She had her brown eyes, but favored him, especially her dimples.
“Daddy, can I have some ice cream? I ate all my food.” She showed him her plate.
“Yes, she ate all her food,” Carolyn seconded. “But you two haven’t.” She looked at her boys, wiping Blake’s hands. They gave her their puppy-face look. “No….”
“That’s okay, boys. I’m going buy you guys ice cream.” He laughed, looking at Carolyn, knowing she didn’t approve.
“Thank you, Uncle Jeremy,” his five-year-old nephew Tomas said, while his three-year-old brother Blake clapped his hands.
“Yeah, thank you, Uncle Jeremy,” Carolyn said sarcastically, giving him an arched brow.
“You’re welcome.” He chuckled.
They ordered the kids ice cream. Carolyn’s boys made a mess, but Alanie kept looking out the window. She hardly ate from her vanilla sundae.
“Let’s go clean you guys up, thanks to your uncle,” Carolyn said, getting up with her boys and walking to the bathroom.
“Daddy,” she said, still looking out the window, with her hand against the glass.
“Yes, baby?” he asked, now looking in the direction she was staring at. There was an African American woman and a Hispanic man arguing or fighting, but it didn’t look pretty. The lady was covering her face. There was something really familiar about her, but he ignored it and looked back at his daughter.
“Alanie.” She had a weird look on her face. “Alanie, stop staring.”
He couldn’t help himself. He stared out the window again. His heart stopped for a few seconds. “Oh God,” he whispered.
The woman had uncovered her face and started fighting back. Jeremy was in shock. He couldn’t speak, move, and the color must have drained out of his face, because when he turned to look at his daughter, she had a questioning look in her eyes.
He couldn’t even speak to ask her what was wrong.
Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Daddy, is that my mom?” she whispered in sadness.
After all these years they’d finally found her and some guy was manhandling her. For a moment, Jeremy couldn’t think how his daughter knew it was her mother, but of course, he’d given her all the pictures he had of her. Malanie still looked the same, just a little thicker. He snapped out of it, and without thinking, he got up. Seeing his sister approaching the table, he looked down at Alanie and pointed. “Wait here.” He rushed out the door.
He stepped outside the restaurant and ran up to them. “Malanie!” he yelled, and then she turned to him, her mouth bloody.
Her eyes got big. “Jeremy!”
She remembers me.
The Hispanic guy she was with tugged her by the arm, forcing her to break their connection.
“Who the fuck is he?” he yelled, “That’s why you left me?” He swung at her face again, but this time she backed away and he missed, hitting her stomach.
Jeremy rushed up on the guy, pushing him away, and the guy stumbled. “Don’t touch her!”
“It’s not your fucking business!” The guy managed to gain his composure.
“I’m making it my business.” Jeremy turned and moved next to her. “Lanie.” She just stood there crying, holding her stomach. “You’re pregnant.” Her face was even more bloody. Jeremy’s anger boiled over. He turned and rushed on the guy again, punching him, connecting with his jaw first. Then he grabbed him by the throat, practicing a few moves he learned in self-defense training. The man tried to get away from him and he threw him on the ground and continued to beat him up. “How does it feel to get beat up by someone your own size?”
People started gathering around, trying to get him off the guy, but he was too angry. He couldn’t be stopped. “How does it feel to pick on someone that can fight back?”
Malanie ran over. “Jeremy, stop! I don’t want you to get in trouble. You don’t know who he is.” She grabbed his arm, trying to pull him off. “He’s not worth it.”
“I don’t fucking care who he is, he has no right to touch you!” He knew he needed to stop before he did serious damage, but the image of her bloody face made him more furious, until he heard Alanie.
“Daddy, please stop!” Alanie screamed from a distance, with his sister behind her. “Please!”
He stopped pounding the guy to look back at Alanie. Malanie turned back at the same time. He could see Malanie was overwhelmed. She was about to start walking toward his daughter, when she collapsed to the ground. “Lanie!” He got down on his knees next to her, caressing her cheeks.
The asshole got up and ran toward his car, leaving.
He looked up at his sister and daughter. “Carolyn, take her home with you. Alanie, baby, it’s going to be okay.” He picked Malanie up and carried her to his SUV.
; After he made sure Malanie was buckled in, he went over to his daughter.
“Daddy, is she going to be okay?” Alanie asked in tears.
“Baby, I hope so.” Jeremy kneeled down to his daughter’s level and kissed her forehead. “I’m going take her to the hospital and make sure she’s all right, so I need you to go home with Aunt Carolyn and as soon as I know anything, I promise, I’ll call you.”
She had tears running down her cheeks. “Okay, Daddy.”
“I love you.” He wiped her tears away, wanting to stay with her and make all her worries disappear, but he needed to get Malanie to the hospital. “Everything is going be okay.” He kissed her one more time and ran back to the car.
Chapter Five
Malanie’s eyes fluttered open. This has to be a dream, it can’t be real. Jeremy was here with her, after all this time. He looked the same, but his features had become more manly. His brown hair was tapered on the sides. His hazel eyes—oh God, those hazel eyes still took her breath away. His body was completely different. Back then he’d been skinny. Now he was built, lean and muscular. After all this time he still affected her, even with the pain she was feeling.
She’d searched for him and her daughter for years. She knew she’d made a mistake, but by the time she realized her stupidity, Jeremy’s father had been transferred to another base somewhere, and no one would help her. She even got a private investigator, once she could afford it, but he came up with nothing. She always thought he’d taken advantage of her, and she found it hurt too much to get her hopes up and try again.
“Jere…my,” she whispered in pain.
He leaned in. “I’m here, Lanie. I’m right here.”
“Where is she? I want to see her.” He had a worried look in his eyes. “I understand if you don’t want me to see her, after all these years.” His expression changed. He looked relived.