“Look, don’t worry about it, Rosalie. I’ll talk to Kingston. He’ll behave. And I’ll talk to Nai and let her know everything will be fine from now on. The three of us can still become a family—yes, girl, things are that serious. Once we get past this little thing . . . it will all work out.”

Mom smiles and says, “Oh, girl, I know it’ll work out. I don’t have any doubt about that. Because so long as that man is darkening your doorstep, that little girl upstairs ain’t never setting foot in your house.”

Ms. Harris’s eyes grow wide with shock and her jaw drops. “Excuse you? Naija is my daughter!” she says as she stands up and plants her hands firmly on her hips. She glares at Mom, who is now coolly going about the task of tidying up the table.

“Oh, so you do remember giving birth to her? Well, that’s good. I wasn’t sure for a minute.”

“This ain’t just about me, Rosalie. I’m doing this for her too. I want my baby to have a father.”

Mom looks at Ms. Harris as she towel-dries her mug and places it on the rack. “Lena, you are not the only single parent around here. I know the picture you have in your mind, the family you wanted and the family you deserve. That kind of want and need can cut so deep into your chest that it leaves a big, gaping hole right in the center of it.

“Now you out here trying to fill that space. I get that. I can’t judge that, but you listen, and listen good: you not about to throw Naija down into that chasm on the small chance that sacrificing her will heal your wounds.

“Kingston is a predator. He knew exactly what he was doing when he chose you. You give him an opening and he will leap out and swallow that little girl right before your eyes. Stop worrying about the father you want her to have and start focusing on being the mother she deserves.”

Ms. Harris starts laughing and clapping her hands. “You think you can lecture me about motherhood? Please. I know the truth about you, Rosalie. You care more about your cause than you do your own child. So, don’t you dare get uppity with me. At least I make time for my kid.”