After Eight years, Ghenesis Santiago leaves for Atlanta, Ga to try having a relationship with her father and his new family. While having to maintain her senior year in highschool and working with her brother and his Crew under her father's orders...
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“I know baby, I’m sorry,” I whispered, trying to keep it together as Artemis whimpered under my hands. Her little body sat still in the tub, hair matted down like someone hadn’t even thought about washing it in weeks. Tangled with food, dirt, and Lord knows what else. I tried to be gentle, but every pull from the comb made her flinch.
When we got to the daycare, the staff said Artemis hadn’t been back since the last time we picked her up. I didn’t even have to look at Zeus to feel his energy shift — silent, but hot enough to melt steel. That man was pissed.
We pulled up to Anisha’s mama’s house like a storm. She cracked the door lookin’ like the Walking Dead, eyes red, house musty. Told us Anisha dipped a few days ago and left Artemis with her like it was nothing. The baby was still wearing the same onesie from last week, too small and damn near cutting off circulation.
Zeus ain’t say a word — just scooped Artemis up and turned his back on that whole damn house. The woman shrugged and closed the door behind us like we just took some groceries instead of her granddaughter.
Soon as we got home, I changed into a tank and shorts, ran the bath in Zeus’s bathroom and started cleaning the dirt off Artemis myself. I had to drain the water twice ‘cause of how brown it turned. My baby deserved better.
“She not going back.”
I turned and saw Zeus standing in the doorway, leaned up against the frame in sweats and a white beater, eyes red from crying and high as hell.
“I don’t give a fuck how much Anisha wanna act up — she not getting her back. Ever.” His jaw flexed tight, knuckles white from how hard his fists were clenched.
I gave Artemis one of the bath toys and stood up, walking to him. “Hey, Papa,” I said softly, cupping his face. “Look at me.”
His skin was warm under my fingers, and the hurt in his eyes made my heart damn near break. “She’s safe now. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
He didn’t say anything. Just leaned down and kissed me — the kind of kiss that said thank you without the words. I grabbed his hand and brought him over to the tub.
“Come on, distract your daughter while I handle her hair,” I said.
Zeus crouched beside the tub, letting Artemis splash a little water on his arm. “Hey, baby girl. It’s okay. Mama Ghen gon’ make you real pretty again, huh?”
Mama Ghen. Damn… that sounded good.
Don’t start.
You started it when you bent over that clinic table. I'm just here for the ride now.
“Bitch,” I muttered.
“What?” Zeus looked up.
“Oh… this tangle a bitch,” I recovered quickly, smiling through it.
I focused on combing again while trying not to cry. But of course…
“Well ain’t this a surprise,” came that arrogant voice.
I looked up. Charles.
There he was, standing in the doorway like we invited him in, looking down his nose at me like I was something on the bottom of his shoe.
“Yes, sir?” Zeus asked, still focused on Artemis.
“I heard from Sylvester that Kendra invited you to her gathering this Friday. Just a reminder: when you go, you’re representing me. I expect you to act accordingly.” He glanced at me. “And Ghenesis — your test is tomorrow morning. You’ll meet me in the study.”
He turned to leave, but not before tossing out one more knife. “And since you’ll have the child with you, your brother can play nanny. He likes dress-up anyway.”
And then he was gone.
He stay talking like he ain’t already the biggest stain on the family name.
“I’m not going,” Zeus said flatly.
“Zeus—”
“No.” His tone was final. “Especially not with her here. I’m not leaving y’all behind for some fake-ass charity party.”
I bit my lip. “Papa… if you don’t go, I don’t wanna think about what he’ll do.”
“I can handle it.”
“But I can’t.” My voice cracked. “I can’t sit here knowing he’s putting hands on you like that.”
Zeus’s face softened. He reached for my leg, rubbing circles on my thigh. “The only people who can hurt me are the two people in front of me. I’m telling you — I got this.”
I nodded, trying to keep it together. “Nope. I need words,” he said, voice low.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Yes what?” He moved closer, kneeling between my legs, taller than me even from the floor.
“Yes, Papa,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck as he kissed me, deep and slow, like I was the only thing anchoring him to Earth.
Just as things started to heat up, Artemis giggled and splashed us with water.
“Aww, my baby feelin’ left out,” I laughed, pulling back. “Let me finish her up.”
Zeus stood, smirking like I was the main course and dessert. “Aight. I’m finna order food. What you want?”
“Get me soul food. Chicken for Artemis, mashed potatoes, candied carrots… and just get me the usual.”
He was still staring at me with that goofy, lowkey-in-love smile.
“What?” I laughed.
“Nothin’… you just fine as hell.” He kissed me again and left the room.
I looked down at Artemis, who smiled up at me holding her toy.
“Yes, baby. That’s pretty. Just like you.”
She’s been through hell… But she safe now.
And I’ll be damned if I let anything take that from her again.
