Page 10 of Butterfly 6, Phase 1

“You’re the best father,” Bella reassured.

Bella had always adored Ethic. Their relationship had been tested in recent years, but through every situation, she knew he would always show up for her. There was a reassurance that came with having a father who she knew would always be there. Bella had a confidence in her soul that not all children were fortunate to possess. Her father was invested in her well-being. He was committed to her protection. He was not only a disciplinarian but a shareholder in the life she was building. He had put Bella in position mentally, emotionally, and financially to take on the world without limitation. When he found a wife, that provided Bella with a spiritual and feminine anchor that gave her everything she needed. She knew Ethic was the villain in a lot of stories, but in hers, he was her hero.

“Yeah, well, you made it easy,” Ethic replied. “I couldn’t ask for better kids, Bella. Y’all make my life worth living, and this little one, she’s everything I prayed for. She completes the picture, but she came at a cost. How can something so small cost so much?”

“Ma will come back to us. Her memories will come back,” Bella reassured.

Ethic nodded as a tide of emotions swelled in his chest.

“I have to tell you something, Bella,” Ethic began. The somberness in his tone was enough to make Bella brace herself. “It’s about Yolly.”

“What about Yolly?” Bella asked, her stomach tensing, anticipating his next words because she knew they were bad.

“Yolly’s in the hospital. They think she might have cancer,” Ethic informed.

“What?” Bella cried out. “Daddy, no!” An instant dread consumed Bella.

“I know, baby girl,” Ethic uttered.

“Can we go there? How is Mo? Is it bad?” Bella’s questions came one after another.

“Right now, we just need to let the doctors do their jobs. Mo is overwhelmed. She’s there with Messiah. I’ll take you to see her after Mo has had some time to process. For now, I need you home. I’ll need to be there with Mo. I’m going to take everyone home in the morning, and I just need you to be my eyes and ears for a few days. You’re the boss. Make sure Alani isn’t doing too much. Keep Eazy distracted. Spend a little time with True. Lily and Mara will be present. If Ms. Pat agrees, I’m going to have her come too.”

Bella nodded. “Can I call Mo at least?” Bella asked.

“Of course.”

Bella snatched her phone from the charger and FaceTimed Morgan. When Morgan’s face popped up on her screen, Bella willed herself not to cry. Her nose burned from the stifling of emotions.

“Hey, B,” Mo answered. Morgan had always been the type to wear her heart on her sleeve. Evidence of devastation was written all over Morgan’s face. Her eyes and nose were red from crying, and Bella could see the worry in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Mo Money,” Bella said softly. “I want to come, but Daddy says to give you some time. Is she okay?”

“We don’t know anything right now, B.” Mo’s answer was void of hope. “She’s just sleeping right now.”

Bella nodded. “Okay. Tell her I love her,” Bella said. “And I love you too. I know there isn’t anything I can do, but I just wanted you to know and her to know.”

“Thanks, B. We love you too,” Morgan replied. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll text you tomorrow when we know more.”

Morgan hung up, and Bella shook her head. “Why is all of this happening at the same time? It’s like we make it through one thing, and there’s something else waiting right around the corner. Sometimes it feels like this family is cursed.”

The gut punch Bella’s words delivered to Ethic was excruciating because if there was a generational curse plaguing his family, he was responsible. The sins of the father often held consequences for the seed, and he was a living testimony of that.

“I’m sorry for every ounce of pain I’ve passed down to you,” Ethic whispered.

“Well, someone passed it to you, too, Daddy,” Bella said sadly. “I just don’t want to keep passing it. Your mom and Grandpa Zeke passed it to you, you passed it to us, now Mo’s passing pain to the twins. Somebody has to be the one to beat it. I don’t want to let what has happened to me become how everybody sees me.”

“You are a brilliant girl, Bella. I have no doubt that you will be better than us all. I just hope I’m around to witness you take over the world,” Ethic admired proudly.

“Can I ask you something without you overreacting?” Bella asked.

“When do I ever overreact?” Ethic shot back.

“Umm, Daddy, be for real,” Bella retorted, giggling and giving him an “Are you serious?” stare down.

“I promise,” Ethic assured. “Talk to me.”

“I’ve been thinking about Henny. Everyday. My stomach hurts thinking about him. I can’t eat. I barely sleep. I’ve started so many letters, but I can’t seem to finish them. I think I loved him, Daddy,” Bella admitted.