Genji y back against the pillows, satisfied. The apartment was cramped, sure, but she kept it clean - toys organized in bins, floors swept, everything in its pce despite the chaos of a dozen kids. He had to give her that much. This wasn't his first time here - third, maybe fourth - and he knew what he was getting into. She was cute in that airheaded way, all giggles and batting eyeshes, and she never asked questions he didn't want to answer.

  She curled up beside him, her finger tracing circles on his chest. "Genji?" Her voice had that sing-song quality that usually meant she wanted something.

  "Mmm?" He was already thinking about where he'd parked his car.

  "I got something to tell you."

  "What's that, girl?"

  She smiled up at him, that ditzy little grin. "I'm pregnant."

  He kept his face smooth. "Oh yeah? Congratutions." Non-committal. Safe.

  "I think it's yours."

  The words hung in the air. *I think.* Not "it is" - *I think.*

  From somewhere in the back rooms, one of the kids started crying. Then another voice - "Mama!" Then more noise, a cascade of children waking up or fighting or whatever the hell twelve kids did.

  Twelve kids. And she *thinks* this one's his.

  "That's... wow," he said, sitting up, reaching for his pants. "That's big news."

  She sat up too, watching him dress. "You happy?"

  "Yeah, yeah, just... processing, you know?" He pulled on his shirt. "Hey, I gotta run out real quick. Get some cigarettes. I'll be right back."

  Her face fell just a little, but she nodded. She always nodded.

  Genji was out the door before she could say another word.

  ---

  Shelly sat on her friend Tanya's couch, surrounded by the familiar chaos - not kids this time, but empty takeout containers and clothes that needed folding. At least she wasn't the only one living in manageable disaster.

  "I'm pregnant again," Shelly said quietly.

  Tanya's eyes went wide. "AGAIN? Girl, who is it this time?"

  "I think... I think it's Genji's."

  Tanya sat up straight. "The Gingerbread Man? Girl, he got MONEY."

  "I know, but—"

  "But nothing." Tanya leaned in, her voice dropping like she was sharing state secrets. "You need to go after him. Get that child support. You got 12 kids already, you deserve some help."

  "But I don't know for sure it's his..."

  "Don't matter. Make him take the test. He's been running around here thinking he can just hit and quit with no consequences. Time somebody caught his ass."

  A door opened from the back room. Bill walked out in his boxers and an undershirt, scratching his stomach as he headed for the fridge.

  "Hey, what's up, girl," he said to Tanya, then spotted Shelly on the couch. He grinned and winked. "Hey, Shells."

  "Hi, Bill," she said automatically.

  He grabbed a beer, popped it open, and headed back to the bedroom without another word.

  Tanya didn't even blink. "Like I was saying - you need to get what's yours. These men out here think they can just do whatever. Not on my watch."

  Shelly nodded slowly, her friend's words sinking in. Maybe Tanya was right. Maybe it was time Genji stopped running.