Elphie looked like she had been
crying and the boys all looked upset.
“What’s wrong?” I asked my heart
sinking fast since Finley was still unaccounted for. “What’s happened where’s
Finley?” The feeling of dread was already settling over me just from the
expressions on their faces.
“She’s fine mom.” Dax said. “She’s
with Carter and Vicki.”
“What why and why are you here? Not
that I’m not happy to see you but I thought you were in Bridgeport.”
“Was he here yesterday?” Elphie
blurted out looking on the verge of tears again. “Is that why you were acting
so weird?”
The accusation in her tone was
mirrored on the five faces looking at me. Mulo. I thought as I closed my eyes
preparing for the onslaught of angry questions. I knew instantly what or rather who was behind her question.
Why?
Why did you tell them?
Because
I wanted them to know it was my fault.
But
it wasn’t your place to do that. I wanted to do it in my own way so they
understood.
They
understand.
What
were you trying to accomplish by telling them instead of letting me. They hate
me enough as it is.
I
was taking your suggestion and trying to be a good man. Taking responsibility
for what I have done.
“Guys let’s go have a seat please.
I’ll tell you everything.” I said letting out a slow exhale. Even when he attempted to be 'helpful' he made things harder for me.
“There’s nothing to tell. Where is
he? Where’s our dad?” Dunham asked.
“Will you guys give me a chance to
explain? Please.”
All five of them begrudgingly filed
into the living room. I could feel the hostility rolling off them. I had no
clue what to tell them and I wasn’t even sure they would listen to me any way.
“How long have you known?” Dax
asked after taking a seat.
“For a little while now.”
“He’s been here hasn’t he?” Dunham
inquired. "He was the strange man that Kylie talked about."
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?
Nevermind Mulo answered that. He doesn’t know us because of him.” Dax
sounded hurt when he said that. I understood all too well the pain of that
reality. “That doesn’t change the fact that he’s our dad. We are adults, you
should have told us.”
“I’m sorry, I really am. I was
trying to figure out the best way to tell you all and minimize the damage.”
“I guess some things never change
with you huh Mom?” Dax said coolly."Only filling us in on things when you are forced to."
"That's not what, that's not how it is this time."
"That's not what, that's not how it is this time."
They all had the same look of anger
and distrust. My relationship with the triplets was already rocky and this was
only going to make it worse. I was only trying to protect them and still I had
to face their anger. Mulo had done this, he was the reason they were robbed in
the first place, yet I was the easier target. No matter how hard I tried I
always seemed to be on the losing end. I couldn’t keep going through this,
there was no way I could complete this crazy task. I headed into the
hall to get my phone. I sent Marcus a text letting him know they were ready to
see him. He responded almost instantly.
“He’ll be here shortly.” I said
walking back into the living room. “I’m going to go fix dinner.”
“We’re not hungry.” Elton replied.
It was the first time he’d spoken since they got home.
“Well I’m going to cook anyway.”
I heard the five of them talking,
wondering what it was going to be like to see him. The triplets had only seen
pictures but Dax and Dunham remembered him. They were telling the triplets
about him when the doorbell rang. The talking stopped and I waited to see if
one of them would answer but it seemed as if no one was moving. I wiped my
hands on the towel, took a deep breath, then went to answer the door.
Marcus
It seemed like forever before she
answered the door. I could tell by the look on her face that the talk hadn’t
gone well.
“Are you ok?” I asked softly. She
just shook her head as she closed the door.
“Tell me what happened.”
“They’re waiting for you.” She said
ignoring my request.
I was nervous as I followed her the
short distance into the living room. Knowing I had children was one thing, but getting ready to actually meet them made it very real. The two older boys looked at Amari then at
me. They looked like me, but I didn’t feel a ping of recognition. I was
speechless and so were they. The triplets stood together. Each of
the boys standing protectively on either side of their sister. I was now officially a father of five.
“Um that’s Dax.” Amari said being
the first to break the silence. She pointed towards the one in the blue tshirt
with dreads. “And that one is Dunham.” She continued pointed towards the young
man with the shorter hair. “Elphie is easy since she’s the only girl. On her
left is Elton and on her right is Edson.”
“Oh my God, Dad it’s really you.”
The one she said was Dunham spoke first. He slowly walked towards me as if he
were seeing a ghost before quickly wrapping his arms around me in a hug.
