“Don’t say it, because it’s not happening,” I warned.
“You.
“You’re a trip, Mahlia, but I’m afraid I’m gon have to disappoint you because me and your cousin are not happening,” I let her know and pressed my lips together. “I’ll be back with your nephew.”
I’d just put a load of clothes in the washer when my phone rang on the dryer. I picked it up and wiped the sweat from my brow. Seeing that it was Zyro, I figured he had more news about my car, not realizing the time.
“Hello?” I answered out of breath.
“Bad time?” he asked.
“No. I was doing chores around the house. More news about my car?”
“Nah,” he exhaled. “Nah, there’s no change, baby girl. I just hit Heartville. The fair…remember?”
“I didn’t agree to it…remember?” I mocked him, a little annoyed that he was persistent. If Zyro wanted to go to the far so badly, he could have taken someone else.
He kissed his teeth. “So, your son hasn’t been askin’ ‘bout the fair today?”
“He has, but I’m not in the position to do so right now,” I shot back.
“Down, baby. I’m just tryin’ to help out. Come out and have some fun.”
I was a sweaty mess and haven’t showered myself. When I rounded the corner and saw Ermias sitting in the living room in his Ninja Turtles pajamas, my heart swelled. The fair has been on his mind heavily. When I picked him up from daycare, he didn’t even greet me like he normally did with a “Hey, mommy!” It was “Are we going to the fair?”
Sighing, I gave in. “Okay. I need to shower and get Ermias dressed. Give me forty-five minutes.”
“Aight.”
I hit the end button, and before telling Ermias the good news, I told him to stay put while I showered. He was good about not answering the door, trying to cook, or doing anything else that a child his age shouldn’t do while I showered or slept. Cartoons, his coloring books, and toys would keep him busy.
It took me thirty-five minutes to shower, dry off, moisturize my body, and put on a graphic tee and distressed shorts with black socks and red Converse. I went ahead and took Ibuprofen ahead of time in case my eye began to ache. My drops would be in my purse, too. I never left home without them.
Ermias ran into my room and peeked inside the bathroom where I was brushing my hair into a high ponytail. He eyed my attire.
“Where are you going, Mommy?” he asked out of curiosity.
“Weare going to the fair.”
His eyes lit up, and he began jumping up and down, screaming, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” He stopped. “Are we going with Zyro?”
I chuckled. “We are.” I turned the water on to wash my hands. “You want to wear the same thing as me?”
Ermias nodded. Most times, when I buy something for myself, I look to see if I can find it in his size. There was a Mommy and Me shop here in Heartville that created cute graphic shirts with different artists and actors for adults and kids to match. Today I sported a Crown Heart tour shirt, and Ermias had one too.
I’d just finished brushing Ermias’ hair when I heard car tires in my yard, and that now familiar rumble of Zyro’s big ass monster truck. Ermias couldn’t stop talking about the truck.
I had to stop him from trying to run to the door and open it without my permission. He knew better.
I waited to see if Zyro would blow the horn or get out like a gentleman and knock. I don’t know why it even mattered. Evenif he was interested in me, I wasn’t ready to get into anything serious with anyone anytime soon.
When I heard knocks on the door, I couldn’t say I was shocked. I grabbed my purse, told Ermias to be on his best behavior, then opened the door.
We were met with a smile with diamond fangs that I hadn’t seen until now. I couldn’t even remember if he had them in at the reunion. Zyro wore crisp light blue jeans and a plain black crew neck t-shirt. On his feet were grey and black Retro 4s. The scent coming from him was intoxicating. So intoxicating.
“Y’all look nice,” he complimented with a bigger grin.
“Mama, I want diamond teeth! Look! He has diamond teeth!” Ermias pointed at Zyro, and I gently slapped his arm down.
