The Donor: When Conception Meets Deception Read Online Free PDF Page A

I mean I knocked a couple of times, and when you didn't answer, I just turned it and walked in. But I didn't break in Chase. I didn't."
    "I know, I know, chillax,” Chase says.
    “Nobody really says chillax anymore Chase. That’s like for old people.”
    “Now is not the time. Stay focused young man.”
    “Okay, okay. I just walked in though. I know I probably shouldn’t have. Just please don't report me to Mr. James.”
    Chase clasps Devantay's hand.
    “Stop with that. You're my dude. I'm not going to go running to the program director at the group home. Snitches get stitches right?" Chase winks. Devantay beams and high fives him.
    "You're welcome here anytime Devantay. Just don't go walking all the way up into my bedroom next time."
    Devantay chuckles.
    "I got it Chase. I got it."
    "Okay let me just grab some hydration for us from the kitchen, and we can be on our way to schooling this suckers on the basketball court," Chase says.
    "Okay cool. Is your friend coming too?” Devantay says.
    "My friend? What friend?” Chase says as he grabs two water bottles.
    “The really tall, really fat dude. The one who kept asking me questions on the stoop. He was right at your top step.”
    "What? Some guy was outside my door asking you questions about me? Devantay? You should have started this whole discussion with that right there.”
    Chase grabs Devantay's hand so quickly that the basketball falls from his lap and rolls into the hall. They scoot past the poster prints of sports legends on the kitchen wall featuring: Muhammad Ali menacing over a fallen Sonny Liston, Jesse Owens in Berlin, Serena Williams with a victory bicep flex at Wimbledon, and a Usain Bolt lightning pose. Devantay scoops the ball as the two of them fly through the brownstone’s nineteenth century double doors, and outside onto the top step. Chase holds his palm to his brow like a visor. He scans the neighborhood for the trespasser. All he sees are hipsters on vintage bicycles and his nosy neighbor from across the street, Ms. Mahone, sweeping her cement stoop.
    "Where is this guy Devantay? I don’t see anyone that looks like what you described.”
    ”Well he was right there, where you’re standing. He wasn't your friend?"
    Chase doesn't answer.
    "A fat guy you say?" Chase asks.
    "Yeah"
    " Yes , not yeah," Chase admonishes.
    “Yes," Devantay says.
    "What was he asking you?"
    "He said 'Hey kid, you're Devantay aren't you?'"
    "He said Devantay? He knew your name?”
    ”Yeah. I mean yes, I guess so.” Devantay shrugs. “But I don't remember him from nowhere. I mean dude was huge. Like Rick Ross I'm a boss, I'm a boss, I'm a boss.” He starts dancing and bobbing his shoulders.
    “Hey,” Chase says with a finger snap. “Stay focused.”
    “Oh, sorry. He thought I was your son though."
    "Hmmm. Okay. What else?"
    “Ugh, Chase we gonna miss reserving the dang court!"
    "First of all, watch your tone. Secondly, we’ll be fine. Now did you say anything else?"
    “Like tell all your business and stuff? Nah I ain’t no snitch. Can we go now?”
    Devantay steps down toward the small arched metal gate that separates Chase’s property from the sidewalk. Chase hears footsteps coming from inside the brownstone.
    “Okay, shhh Devantay. Jenae is coming. Listen, you keep this between us okay? Guy talk only."
    Jenae walks through the glass and oak doors. She squints and shields her eyes from the sudden blast of sunlight.
    "So what are you two handsome men shushing about?"
    Silence.
    "That's right. I heard all that shh,shh, shh ,” she says and side-eyes Devantay.
    "Us? N-N-Nothin'. We wasn’t talking about nothing." Devantay has the rapid fire reply, and petrified stance, of a child hiding a cookie. Chase interrupts.
    "So listen honey. Me and little man here have a game to—"
    “Hush," she says raising her index finger.
    "Devantay, come here baby" she says with arms wide.
    He stands at the front gate, frozen.
    “Devantay?” she warns.
    "Yes Ma’am,” he