The Donor: When Conception Meets Deception by Brother Dash Read Free Book Online Page B

smile,” he says in his smooth baritone. He blankets her tender wrists in his large oven mitt hands.
    “You have to make a reservation months in advance. But I got the hook up,“ she says.
    “Oh you got the hook up huh?”
    “Of course. You didn’t know I got it like that? I’m not just some pretty girl lawyer you know. I gots skills.”
    Chase snickers.
    “Well, you gots all that and much more sweetheart,” Chase says. He lifts her hand to his mouth and caresses the back of her palm with the softness of his lips.
    After a few moments the server returns.
    "Can I get you two started with drinks? Or, if you already know what you would like I can put that in now?”
    They peruse the menu arm-in-arm. They decide to order a glass of Chateau de Oupia Rosé for her, an Arnold Palmer style iced tea for him, an appetizer of hummus drizzled in Canaan Fair Trade brand olive oil and the two house specials: Grilled lamb, saffron rice and sautéed autumn vegetables. The server nods, takes the menu and exits.
    The chill sound of a fusion jazz mix streams from the speakers above. Chase and Jenae groove to the music with subtle head bops. His index finger does figure eights on the underside of her wrist. She purrs.
    "So what did you think of my friend Kit’s film?" she asks.
    Chase gives a slight pause. The server returns and places their drinks on the table.
    "Think? Wow. More like felt . It was so powerful. It reminded me of Devantay,” he says, lifting his glass tumbler of iced tea and lemonade to his lips.
    “How so?” Jenae asks.
    "Reminded me of Devantay and my father.”
    Jenae lifts her left eyebrow. She has tried on several occasions over the years to get Chase to discuss his father. But Chase has always been elusive. Whenever she asks about him, Chase either remains silent and waits for her to tire of questioning him, or he conveniently changes the subject.
    “In what way?” she asks.
    His eyes trail off towards the kitchen.
    “Eh, nothing. Anyway, it was a very good film.”
    "Honey," Jenae says, rubbing his fingers.
    “Come on tell me. In what way did the film remind you of Devantay and your father?”
    Chase licks his lips and fidgets. Jenae gives two quick squeezes to his palms and tilts her head into his line of sight. Chase pokes her nose and with a reluctant smile he begins…
    "When I agreed to participate in the group home mentor program I was really just trying to pad my credentials. I mean, I have the academic background. I’ve published over a dozen articles. I wrote three creative writing manuals which you edited for me. But Dean Ganges said I was light on community work. That would make a recommendation for future opportunities a slam dunk. So she suggested I get some volunteer work in.”
    Jenae nods with a grin. “Sounds like Octavia,” she says.
    The slender waiter interrupts and sets their hummus appetizers on the table.
    “I took the liberty of warming the pita for you as well,” he announces.
    Jenae gives a forced smile and takes a sip of wine. The server returns to the kitchen.
    “Need to put a bell on that one,” she mumbles. “Continue.”
    "Well, it was just supposed to be a volunteer thing. Put in a couple of weekends, play a little ball and call it a day. But when I met Devantay, and started to spend more time with him, he kind of grew on me. And a few weeks ago he really opened up after shooting hoops; we had this incredible conversation. So the film reminded me of that conversation with Devantay, and of my own childhood. I don't know...I guess I just had a moment.”
    “So Devantay’s life, the film and yours were all similar? I mean you’ve never really talked about your childhood…your life before moving to New York,” she says.
    He gulps.
    “I know. But no, not exactly the same. The whole living in the projects, drugs and violence thing? No. That was more Devantay's reality. That boy has been through it. But it was the lack of adult attention, and the absence of concern