The moment Natanya turned toward the television, his mother pounced.He couldn’t help noticing that she’d dressed in matching striped pants and shirt, as though she were going out.Not one strand of her iron-gray hair dared fall out of place.Monica Smithson was always perfect, prepared for every eventuality.
“I know you’re only here because you don’t have a choice about coming.”
To avoid answering, Shomari picked up one of the glasses and sipped from it.“I wouldn’t say that.”
“I never see you, so I figured you only called because you had an emergency.”
“I flew in yesterday morning.”Tipping one brow, he added, “When would I have contacted you?’
“Beforeyou left Miami.”
His mother always had the answers, even when she didn’t know or understand his circumstances.Right now, he needed her help, so antagonizing her wouldn’t be a smart move.Meeting her gaze, he said, “I’m sorry.I didn’t know I’d need your help until yesterday when Christy asked for a favor.”
Mother sniffed and lifted her chin, as he knew she would, at the mention of his ex.She’d never liked her and lost no opportunity to say so, except this time.She glanced at Natanya and pressed her lips together.At least she knew better than to discuss her grandchild’s mother in her presence.
He swallowed more lemonade, then set the glass on the table.“I have to go.I’ll pick up Natanya as soon as I can.”
“I’m sure you will,” Mother said, rising to give him space.
His gaze fell on the other glass of lemonade, and he stopped himself from smirking.His mother definitely hadn’t changed.How she expected a four-year-old child to drink from a glass was beyond him.Their eyes met, and she pulled back her shoulders, but didn’t speak.
He picked up Natanya off the seat, and she squealed when he squeezed her to his chest.“Daddy has to go out.I’ll come for you in a while, okay?”
Natanya’s smile faded, and she glanced at her grandmother.
“You’ll be all right, baby.I promise.”He kissed her forehead.“Go to Grandma.”
To his surprise, Mother wiggled her fingers and opened her arms to receive Natanya.“It’s all right.We’ll have fun until he comes back.”
Shomari doubted his mother knew anything about having fun, but the spot he was in didn’t leave him any room to maneuver.He released Natanya to Mother and walked toward the door.The cabbie he’d called was someone he knew from way back.Thankfully, he’d been free.
After one last kiss pressed to his daughter’s cheek, he turned away with his heart in his throat.His mother was the best he could do for Natanya today.While Mother might disapprove of Christy, she at least liked her grandchild.Or, so he thought.One never knew with his mother.He could rest easy, though, because Natanya would be safe with her.
He slipped into the back seat of the car and thanked Earl for waiting.They’d been in high school together and kept in touch now and then, over the years.The other man now owned a fleet of cars, which made him a good living.Shomari gave him directions to Wintertime and sat back in the seat to check the phone, which had pinged.He wasn’t surprised to see it was Christy asking about Natanya.
Her caper yesterday had him running out on Lizette at a critical point in the interview to find an ATM.Christy met him at a designated spot to collect the money for Natanya's physical, with no explanation for why she gave him the impression their daughter had an emergency.When the funds were in her hand, she explained that the cash was for a scheduled visit to the pediatrician.At which point, he was mad as hell, but thank God, Lizette hadn’t told him a hard no to rescheduling the interview.
He debated whether to answer the text, but if he didn’t, Christy wouldn’t stop messaging.
She’s fine, he texted, knowing that likely wouldn’t satisfy her.
A few seconds went by before the phone notification sounded again.
Can I call her?
No, she’s with my mother.
He watched the dots moving on the screen, then sighed when the phone rang.
“You didn’t tell me you were leaving her with your mother.”
Not even so much as a greeting.This from someone who’d recently claimed to love him.
“Did you ask about my plans for the weekend before you dropped her off?”
“You had every opportunity to tell me.”
The silence stretched while he stared through the window.The traffic was sparse, so he’d get to Lizette shortly.He prayed he wouldn’t be in a foul mood when he reached the office.Lowering his voice, he said, “There’s nothing we can do about it now, unless you want to pick her up.”
