“Good morning, I’m going for a walk, I’m not going too far,” I say and he hesitates but nods.
“Not too far,” he repeats. It’s a warning.
Just as I promised I didn’t walk too far and because Beverly Hills is a deluxe neighborhood the people who live here are mostly inside or in their yard space doing what rich people do. When I’m satisfied I turn back, heading back home then someone says something to me causing me to stop.
“Good morning,” it’s a stout girl and I’ve never seen her.And she live right near you. Imagine.
“Good morning,” I smile. We are in an awkward silence before we chuckle.
She smiles.
“Your babies are… they’re so cute,” she compliments, while sayinghito them. She’s wearing faux locks and by the looks of it, she’s a baddie.
“Thank you,” I say then we walk over to the side when a Range Rover drives pass.
“I’m Jasmine,” she shakes my hand and I smile.
“Nice name, I’m Zara,” I tell her.
“You live in that house?” She points at it and I nod.
“Ohhh so close and I’ve never seen you,” she says making us laugh.
“Right,” I agree.Two a unuh just as bad.
“You um, want to hang out sometime?” She offers but I’m not sure. I don’t know her and I don’t want to cause Nickoi any trouble.Or get on his nerves.
“Sounds nice but I’m always busy,” I tell her. I’m basically saying no, just tactfully.
“Okay, well you can always stop by and we talk or if you want to take my number, I could really work with some friends,” she breathes.
“That’s fine, I’ll stop by and say hi another time. Nice meeting you though Jasmine,” I say and walk after exchanging goodbyes. When I reach the gate, Nickoi is standing at the door.
I gulp.
I walk through the smaller side, which is rarely used since we are always driving. I smile at Joe walking over to Nickoi.
“I went for a walk,” I tell him and he nods. He pecks the babies lips before he pecks mine.
“That’s okay man and you met Jasmine,” he surprise me.
“Yeah she’s nice but mi decline her offers,” I tell him. “She wants to be friends.”
“Good girl,” he smiles. I laugh but a little part of me is wondering why he agrees that I decline her offers. I mean, maybe he’s just being Nickoi.
…or maybe there’s something.
I breeze it and ask Nicki what she made for breakfast and she shares it after saying, “Ackee and salt fish with fry breadfruit. Mi have steam cabbage too.”
She puts down the plate and I thank her.
“No problem baby love mi a go finish wash the baby onesies,” she tells us. She usually helps with their laundry on weekends.
I start eating.
“Mi love it and it smell good too,” I compliment. Nicki chuckles and walk out. As I eat I look at Nickoi. He holds up Zahir making his toes touch the fur carpet-like an attempt to make him walk.
My eyes darts to Zahira. She’s sitting next to her daddy while playing with the Tv remote. I watch her if she’s putting it in her mouth and when she’s not, my mind runs on the gym.
