His words reminded me of Katrina’s: Always talking about breaking it off with her and he never does.

He continued, “I thought she was just trying to trap me because of who I was. So, I didn’t go,” he repeated. “I didn’t go to New Orleans. I wasn’t there when her baby was born,” he said as if the child was Sharonne’s alone.

“Something must’ve happened because you knew Andre was your son.”

He glanced at me as if he was surprised I knew his son’s name. “She said she wanted to do a paternity test and I went along with it because I didn’t want her to take it public.”

“And so you found out and...what?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Ginger. I’ve been talking to her. We can pay her off and she’ll go away. We’re just negotiating the price now.”

“The price?” I frowned.

“Yeah, Clyde is working this out.”

“Oh, God,” I said. “He knows, too?” I threw up my hands. Then, turning to him, I spat, “I guess you didn’t learn everything from your mentor. Reverend Robinson kept his mess away from everyone. He was a liar and a cheat, but at least he was a smart one for years.”

My words hit my target — his heart. Jeremy was still filled with pain because he’d never heard from the man who’d called him son after that day Reverend Robinson confessed his sin on the altar. There were times when I felt like that was what motivated him to get to where he was today. He wanted to be bigger than his mentor. He wanted to be better. But in truth, they were the same. Both with a family on the side.

“It isn’t like that at all,” he whispered. “I want to do right by you.”

His words surprised me so much, I pressed my hands against my chest. “And what about your child? Don’t you want to do right by him?”

“That’s what we’re negotiating,” he said as if that point should have been clear to me.

I shook my head. “There’s nothing for you to negotiate. You need to take care of your baby and save that money; you’re going to need it.”

I grabbed my bag and moved to leave Jeremy and his drama all alone.

But he blocked my path. “What are you talking about, Ginger?”

“I’m out.” I paused, wanting to make sure that not only had he heard me, but that he understood me, too. “Tomorrow the children and I are moving out.”

“You can’t do that. You can’t leave me. You can’t take my children away from me.”

“Watch me.”

“You can’t do this, Ginger. You will destroy everything.”