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Explaining to Kyerra that she had never been loyal to anything outside of her own desires was pointless. Some shit could only be understood from her level, and Kyerra didn’t have the sense God gave her.
“You can have Bryson tomorrow,” I offered as a show of good faith.
Kyerra wasn’t great at being a wife but was a good mother. At least while we were together, so for now, I’d give her the benefit of the doubt. At the first sign of bullshit, I’d pull the plug to protect my son.
“Thank you.”
Kyerra looked at the house we tried to make a home before walking out. Simply having this conversation sucked me so dry that I needed a nap before dinner with my family. I wasn’t in the mood, but since everybody was getting along for the time being, Aunt Xora insisted, and nobody ever told her no.
I had slept longer than I intended, so I quickly got myself together and brushed my teeth before dashing out the door.
“Where’s Kyerra?” Mom asked, greeting me with a hug. I could smell the alcohol seeping from her pores, likely because Solana and Quest were absent. Solana refused to back down. It was annoying at first, but honestly, it looked good on her. Maybe if I had done the same, I wouldn’t be gearing up for a divorce.
There was no easy way to say it, so I decided to rip the band-aid off.
“We’re getting a divorce.”
“You’re getting a what?” She yelled, following me through the house.
“You heard me.”
“You can’t do that!” I didn’t bother explaining that I wasn’t asking for permission.
“Everybody is doing what they want. Why should I be the only one doing what I’m supposed to do?”
“Tyson, you need to think about this,” Mom tried to rationalize, but the decision had already been made.
“What are you making a fuss about now?” Aunt Xora asked as we reached the kitchen, and I greeted each woman with a hug.
“Your son claims he’s getting a divorce! Talk some sense into him?” Mom demanded filling Dad in, but I found her request comical.
“Who? Him?”
“Tyson. Don’t be disrespectful,” Uncle Everett urged.
“Are you sure about this?” Uncle Ross asked. Meanwhile, my father looked at him like he was going to explode.
Mack and Gi had questions, but neither would address them in mixed company. After hearing enough, Gi interceded on my behalf.
“I’m sure he has his reasons.”
“What reason is there for breaking up your family? She is the mother of your son!” Dad yelled. I guess because he didn’t have the option, he couldn’t possibly understand, but some shit was just beyond repair.
The atmosphere crackled with tension as heated words hung in the air, forming an invisible barrier between me and my family.
“Maybe if the two of you would’ve gotten one, Solana and I wouldn’t be so fucked up.”
“Tyson! Tyson, get back here!” Dad yelled, but I was done discussing my personal life as if the decisions were up to anyone but me.
Frustration knotted my shoulders, and I stepped outside, hoping the night air would calm me. The distance provided a brief escape, a chance to catch my breath and process my own shit. My palate was craving a strong drink to numb the mixture of pain and frustration coursing through me. I almost went inside to grab one but fought the urge, remembering all the nights I had to carry Mom upstairs after arguments with Dad. I didn’t want alcohol to become my crutch, so I allowed the night breeze to comfort me until my solitude was interrupted.
Hailo paused, swaying while clearing her throat because having any conversation beyond the surface was unfamiliar to us. “Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Thanks.” I replied, letting us both off the hook.
Hailo nodded and turned to leave the room before something made her change her mind.
“If that were true, you wouldn’t be hiding out here.” Spinning on her heels, she walked over and sat next to me. “How are you really?”
