Being so close to Zyro, and in his space…had me somewhat nervous.
“How’s your headache?” he asked, placing the gear in reverse and backing up.
“It’s gone for now. Do you need gas or anything? I can pay…”
Zyro let out a suppressed laugh. “Eriss…chill. I don’t need anything from you, baby girl.”
I wasn’t used to men who brushed off money. Most of the time, they were quick to remind me of what I owed or what they had done for me. Zyro was different.
“Y’all ate?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Earlier!” Ermias shouted from the back.
“And I asked you if you were hungry, little boy, and you told me no. We’re good until we get home,” I told Zyro, then ran off my address to him.
“I don’t mind stopping anywhere. I don’t eat in my truck, so we’d have to dine in,” Zyro said. He glanced at Ermias through the rearview mirror. “That coo’ wit’ you?”
“I really want to get home. I can make him something at home. Thank you, though,” I uttered.
Zyro didn’t respond, and I turned back to the window. I was more worried about how much getting my car fixed was going to dent my pockets. Music began playing, and thankfully, it wasn’tmusic I didn’t let Ermias listen to. It was soul R&B. I smiled. Zyro was so country.
After a little over an hour, we arrived in Heartville, and I directed Zyro on how to get to my place. We’d listen to the music instead of conversing. I figured I had irritated him for not wanting to stop to grab food. Ermias had dozed off in the back.
His truck rumbled down the narrow two-lane road as I pointed out the turns. The familiar houses and mailboxes started appearing.
“Right up here,” I instructed. “It’s the little tan house with light blue shutters.”
Zyro slowed down, easing into my gravel driveway.
“Nice, quiet spot,” he said, placing the gear in park.
“Very quiet. Just how I like it,” I admitted. I pushed my door open. “I’m guessing you’re the same way, seeing how you’re ducked off in the country too.”
“Yeah, I am, but touch that door again before I can open it for you, we gon have a problem.” My hand slowly eased away from the door. “I can tell a man ain’t never opened the doors for you.”
He was right, but I chose to be quiet because I was still in shock. Zyro hopped out of the truck, walked around the front and came to my side, and opened the door. He held out a hand to help me out. I placed my hand in his calloused one and exited the truck.
“gon head and unlock your door. I can get your son and your bags.”
“I can?—”
My mouth shut when Zyro gave me a hard look. I wasn’t used to this from a man, so it felt weird. It had me wondering if he wanted something in return from me, besides me paying for my car to get fixed.
As I ambled to the front door while digging through my purse for my house key, I kept glancing over my shoulder. Zyro waspulling Ermias from the truck. He was talking to him as he woke up. I couldn’t hear a word he was saying, but whatever he said had my son laughing.
Unlocking the door, I pushed it open and hurried to turn on the air conditioning and meet Zyro with our bags and talk to him about my car. I couldn’t go long without a vehicle. Ermias had daycare, and I had work. I didn’t like to ask my parents for much. I was always raised to be independent, especially due to my condition. I didn’t see it as a disability because I was still able to live a very normal life. If I ever needed help, they would, without question, but I try not to bother them. While I lived the country life in Heartville, they loved the city.
“Mama! The carnival is tonight, remember?” Ermias sprinted toward me, causing me to groan.
“Ermias, what have I told you about running with your tablet? It’ll be just my luck if I have to getthatfixed too,” I fussed. My eyes dragged to Zyro with my bag and Ermias’ suitcase. The veins in his arms and hands stood out as he carried them.
“Okay, but can we go?”
“Not tonight, baby. I’m already stressing about my car. We’ll see if TT Mahlia wants to go this week,” I replied softly, trying not to crush his hopes.
The fair was one of our things when it came around. My car messing up was unexpected, but then again, it wasn’t. It was really time for another one.
