I’m telling the truth,” he chuckled. Almost in the same way she did. Sheryl must have heard it too and then jerked her head to face me. I shrugged and kissed her chastely.
“Yes, that was most of my job,” she confirmed. “Closing all doors.”
“You’re in Philly?” he asked.
“Not right now,” she answered. “Sort of taking some time off, but I planned to come there soon.”
“Ahh, good,” the man replied. “I’d love to meet you, and we can get that blood test if you want. Don’t want to speak out of turn, but there’s a whole family down here that might be a part of yours.”
Sheryl’s body grew tense, but then she sighed and said, “Yes, what does next week look like for you?”
“I’ll make it open. Just let me know what day and we’ll make it happen,” he shared. “You must know that I’m Jeryl Williams, and I cannot wait to meet cha.”
“You too, Jeryl.”
The phone disconnected, and my woman let out a big sigh.
That next week, we booked a trip to Indiana where Sheryl set up a meeting place with her potential father. She said that she wanted me there with her for moral support, and I wasn’t going any gotdamn where. As soon as the man walked into the diner, I knew that was her father. He was tall, at least over six feet, medium build, with a short cut that was mostly gray. His khaki jacket, jeans, and black shoes were all neat and clean. He had similar bone structures and a unique gait that resembled Sheryl’s. She must have known it too, because she grabbed my hand under the table and squeezed hard.
Damn, my tough-as-nails lady was nervous. This wasn’t something I was used to, but damn was I proud to be here to cover any emotion she wanted to feel. She trusted me with that, and I accepted the job, just the same.
The man laid eyes on her, and he must have known too.
“Gotdamn,” he exhaled as he came over to the table. “You got to be Sheryl South.”
His eyes were still on the silent woman sitting next to me. She must have nodded her head, because he slowly sat down and slid closer to the wall.
“I’m Jacquez Costa,” I introduced myself.
“Are you the lawyer or something?” The man seemingly had just realized that I was there and quickly grew on the defensive.
“No, I’m…” I went to say, but Sheryl interrupted me.
“We’re seeing each other,” she answered. “He’s with me.”
“Romantically?” the man turned back to ask Sheryl.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
“Hmm.” He nodded in my direction. “Well, I guess we’ll see what you made of. I’m assuming you’re of good stock, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“Yes, sir,” I answered. “I’d like to say so. I am waiting for her to say yes to my proposal.”
“Ahh.” Jeryl poked out his bottom lip as if he were pondering something. “Well, there are many a swamps back here if he ever treat you wrong, ya hear?”
Threats right out of the gate. I wasn’t mad about it. Hell, I understood. Jeryl hadn’t been here five minutes, and with the potential of this woman being his daughter, he was already being protective. He’d started off on the right foot.
With one arm around the back of Sheryl’s shoulders, I watched as the two talked for almost two hours. It was decided that they would get the test, but with looks and even other things they identified, it seemed they knew the answer. He had two other children, who had children. Jeryl also had seven brothers and sisters, who had a multitude of children, and they had children. So there was a big family that awaited her, which seemed to bring nothing but joy to her. They decided to go to a lab and get a paternity test completed, and because they would expedite the process, they could get the results in five days and not fourteen.
Despite that decision, Jeryl said he wanted us to come over for a shindig at his house and meet some of the family tomorrow. He said that no matter what the test said, he’d always remember this and see her as family. This made Sheryl cry, and I let her as I pulled her into my chest. I could understand, because my father had passed away when I was really young. Growing up without him was devastating, but I could only imagine thinking that someone who wasn’t your father, was and feeling like you didn’t belong. It was