Caught Up (Indigo Vibe) by Deatri King-Bey

Bolívar International network to the computer at her home, so she could apply patches and updates and fix problems when possible. Working as Ernesto’s lead system administrator and running her own business was like having three full-time jobs. She shook her head.
    No wonder I don’t have a love life.
    “What’s the second thing?”
    “You’re mother’s in there with him now.”
    Shoulders slumped, Rosa asked, “Has she been drinking?”
    “I don’t think so, honey.” Mrs. Walker pressed the button to unlock Ernesto’s door. “Why don’t you peek in and see if it’s safe?”
    “Good thinking.” Rosa gently cracked open one of the large oak doors.
    “You were a good lay,” Harriet said. “But nowhere near as good as David Martín.” She giggled and shook her body as if a shiver had gone up her spine. “I still tingle from his love-making.”
    Rosa had heard the name somewhere before. Trying to figure out why the name was so familiar, she closed her eyes. He was obviously one of the men her mother cheated with, but this felt more recent.
    “Then have him pay to support you.”
    “You’re just jealous because he’s Rosa’s father and not you.”
    “What?” Rosa burst fully into the office and went straight to her mother. “What are you talking about?”
    Harriet released the cola as she drew her hands to her face. “Oh my God!” She looked around the office as if for help. “I…I…I didn’t mean…” She stumbled on the spilled ice as she rushed past Rosa to one of the chairs in front of Ernesto’s desk and grabbed her purse. “I’m sorry,” she cried as she ran out.
    He’s Rosa’s father and not you, her mother had said.
    Rosa felt faint. Ernesto quickly rounded his desk and helped her to a couch in his office. He encouraged her to lie on the sofa.
    She stared blankly into his light brown eyes a long while, trying to figure out what just happened. “David Martín is my father?” she uttered.
    “I’m your father.”
    “This doesn’t make sense. Why would Mom say you’re jealous of this David?” The picture taken of her and Ernesto on the Odyssey was displayed on the end table, mocking her. “Oh my God,” she gasped. “Why don’t I look anything like you or Mom?”
    “He was nothing more than a sperm donor.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry you found out, baby. I’m so sorry for everything.”
    As always, she felt secure in his arms. But her life had just spun out of control, and she needed answers, not to break down. “Who is David Martín, and why did you lie to me all of these years?”
    “I was protecting you. I’m about to ask the impossible. Pretend you never heard of David Martín. Times have changed. I have changed.”
    She focused on the wall of flat screens, and it clicked; she recognized the name. “He’s that drug lord guy, isn’t he?”
    She shot up from the couch and crossed the room to Ernesto’s desk. She grabbed the remote and surfed the channels on the wall. Sure enough, there was a report about the reputed drug lord David Martín’s execution.
    She’d always flipped the channel or ignored the reports about David, but now she stared at his picture and saw her eyes, her hair, her complexion.
    Ernesto slowly stepped behind her and caressed her back. “Breathe, baby, breathe.”
    She gazed over her shoulder into his worried eyes.
    He gently shook her. “Breathe, Rosa!”
    She crossed the room and turned the two leather armchairs in front of Ernesto’s desk to face each other, then sat in one and motioned toward the other. Emotions replaced by disassociation, she asked, “Why do you know this man? And how did you end up with his child?”
    Ernesto took the second seat. “Drop this, baby. You’re better off not knowing.”
    “No more lies. No more secrets. I can’t live like that! I won’t.” Staying detached was impossible; this wreck was her life. She softened along with her voice.
    He leaned forward, taking her hands