“Aye, man.” I licked my lips as I stopped him from walking. “We don’t get sad over this way. You want a man to spend time wit’ you, holler at me. I’ll put my number in yo’ tablet, and I’m coming, aight? Fix yo’ face. Put a smile on that shit.” Ermias grinned from ear to ear. “Yeah, that’s what I like to see.”
“Can you keep my mama happy, too, big dawg?”
“Okay father and son!” Tatum called out.
Marco chuckled. Tatum always tried to get under a nigga’s skin, but if I fired his ass today, he wouldn’t be doin’ all that mouthing off. That shit didn’t bother, though. I knew it was all jokes, but don’t let Eriss be the butt of one. I’ll blow that nigga’s head off.
See, willing to do time behind baby.
As soon as I slid behind the wheel, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I removed it and tried to bite back the smile on my face. Eriss had texted back.
Hey, work is good. Thanks for asking, and I hope your day is going just as well, baby sitter lol. I was fighting to text you about my baby, but I know he is in good hands. And here…
She sent an attachment. She was at a desk with her head resting on a hand. That pretty ass smile on her face.
Can’t wait to kiss those lips again…both sets.
I placed the phone in my lap and pulled out of the lot, heading down the strip toward the diner I hit up now and then for some good ass greens and smothered chops.
I shook my head, cheesing hard like a damn fool as I drove. The diner was an old school spot with the big windows and the neon sign glowing. It was a lil’ after noon, therefore, it was booming with the town’s folks.
We walked inside, me holding onto his shoulder, making sure he didn’t walk behind a car that was pulling out. We entered, the bell over the door jingling. A waitress, an older lady named Miss Noreen, who has been working here forever, spotted me right off. Her eyes lingered on Ermias.
“Well, if it ain’t Mr. Mechanic,” she greeted with a warm smile. “And who is this young man? Don’t tell me you had a kid this whole time and I didn’t know.”
I glanced down, making sure my boy was comfortable. Ermias smiled shyly.
“This is Ermias. He’s starving,” I answered, not answering her question. I respected my elders, but some shit just wasn’t their business.
“Nice to meet you, Ermias. You are a cute one. Gone over there to the register, and I’ll help you out with him. Eat all you can eat, Ermias. I do want to warn you,” Miss Noreen chuckled, “you will get sleep after this.”
I let out a low whistle. She was not lying. I had no business here, knowing I had to get back to work. So far, we have had three cars fixed and picked up by their rightful owners.
After paying for the buffet, Miss Noreen helped Ermias with his choices at the buffet while I piled my plate with greens, cornbread, baked chicken, a smothered chop, and mac ‘n cheese.
We slid into a booth they’d just finished cleaning after the last customers. On Ermias’ plate was random shit. I chuckled at the pizza, fries, a brownie, and mac ‘n cheese, but my boy got what he wanted to eat, and that’s all that mattered. That smile ain’t left his face yet since I told him to put it back.
“Can you tell my mama to let us go back to your house tonight?” Ermias asked from the backseat through a yawn.
When we made it back to the shop, he caught the itis, and I made him a pallet on the floor of the playroom and let him sleep. I was tired myself, but I thugged it through the rest of the day. Now, we were on the way to Heartville after I stopped by the crib to shower, change, and grab Ermias’ things.
“I don’t know, man. Your mama might not want to drive that distance in the morning for work,” I told him, eyeing him through the rearview mirror.
“Tell her to quit. You have that big house and money. You can take care of her,” he suggested. I ran a finger over my bottom lip, chuckling.
“What about I see if she’ll let me stay the night?”
“Yes!” he cheered with both arms shooting straight up.
I’d already let Eriss know I was on the way with Ermias. She never responded to my last message, but I knew it had been on her mind. I ate her shit like I was on death row, and that was my last meal. Her shit shouldn’t be so damn sweet. That nigga that cheated on her had to be smoking crack. I would have never let Eriss go…and won’t…Once I got her.
Unbeknownst to Ermias, I had a bag packed just in case I stayed the night. I wanted to be up under Eriss tonight. Under her and inside of her. I also had to make sure her security system had been installed correctly. Since Mahlia had a key, she was there on her break with her food while they installed it. I sent her a stack just for doin’ that solid for me.
By the time I pulled into Heartville, the sky was a deep orange-blue. Ermias had knocked out again, his head tilted to the side, and his mouth ajar. Little man had been through a long day of good southern soul food and the shop’s playroom. He asked if he could come back tomorrow, but I promised I’d ask Eriss if we could do it once a week.
I eased the truck into Eriss’ driveway. I sat there for a second, thinking how quickly my life was changing and revolving around these two. It wasn’t a bad thing, but it was a change. Mama called me the other day and wondered why I hadn’t been by to see them. Shit, for a moment, I forgot I even had my own family sniffing behind Eriss.
I got out, opened the back door, and scooped up Ermias. His eyes opened, and I let him down while I grabbed his backpack, leaving my own bag in the truck. I wanted to make sure it was coo’ wit’ Eriss first.
