Her Stepdaddy

Antoine sat at the kitchen table, trying a new twist on his famous gumbo, when Brooke came down and sat beside him. The college girl always looked so innocent around him, though Antoine knew she had a devious nature to her as well.

"What can I do for you, pumpkin?" Antoine asked hesitantly.

"I just like sitting with you, Daddy," Brooke purred. Antoine sighed.

"Look, pumpkin, you're going to have to pick a better caliber of boyfriend. There are lots of Black guys at university. I know you didn't go to high school with any of them, but ..."

"But they aren't you, Daddy," Brooke said, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and her green eyes as fierce as her mother's.

"Yes, but I'm with your mother," Antoine reminded her.

"But ... can't you talk with her? We're not blood related, you know? It's like drinking. You said if I'm going to do it, do it at the house."

"That's different," Antoine said, sighing. Allie would not take that well, he knew, but Brooke did have some point, deep within.