Man In The Middle

Part 18 - Extending The Family

Part 18 – Extending the Family

"If it's that important to you, Dad, I can meet this woman. Who is she, anyway?" Sierra asked.

"It'd be better to let her tell you," Juan said, looking nervous.

"Alright, but you know how busy my schedule can get. When did you want to do this?"

"ASAP."

"Is it urgent?"

"I'd say so."

Sierra set down her phone and looked her father in the eyes. "What's happening, papi? Talk to me."

"Like I said, baby—it's something to talk about in person."

"Well, okay. If you say so." She glanced at the clock. "Anyway, I have to get going. Keyon's probably waiting."

Juan scoffed.

"You'll have to get over it, Dad. He's my husband."

"I know, Sierra. I just don't like the guy. He seems fake."

She didn't argue.

"Whatever happened to the other guy? I thought you'd end up with him for sure. Deon, right? I liked that kid."

"He's still around," she said with a faint, bitter smile. "I thought I'd end up with him too."

"So what happened? You know I used to leave you two alone on purpose, hoping he'd steal you away from that other guy."

"My husband, Dad. And we're just friends."

"No, no, no. You two were more than that," Juan chuckled.

"Would you believe it if I said he's gay?"

"With how he stared at you when you walked away? Kid might be a lot of things, but gay ain't one of them."

She smiled at that. "Should you be okay with a boy checking me out like that?"

"What can I say?" He shrugged. "The kid was honest. Reminded me of myself at his age. I couldn't hide my feelings either."

"You? I find that hard to believe," Sierra teased.

"I may be smooth now, but as a teen? You wouldn't even recognize me."

"I can't picture it at all." She rose from her seat. "I should go."

"Okay. Let me know when you can meet her."

She nodded and gave him a hug. "It was good to see you, papi."

"You too, little lady. Get home safe, okay? Tell that fool of a husband I said hi."

"Don't say it if you don't mean it. And be nice," she scolded.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay."

She turned to leave. He watched her go quietly, then sank back into his chair and pulled out his phone.

"Hey, Stacey. She said she'll meet you."

"Thank you, Juan. I'm so—"

"Don't thank me yet. The girls are grown women now, with lives of their own. This could blow everything up."

"Getting cold feet?" Stacey asked.

"Of course I am. It's been thirty years. Life is good now. Simple. I have a wife."

"I have a husband."

"I'm happy."

"Me too."

Silence lingered.