We walk our route to collect the cones. “How’s Aeris?”
He laughs, grinning from ear to ear about his daughter. “Ten going on forty. One of her friends, who’s a year older, just got her period.” He shudders. “I’m not okay.”
“I don’t know how you do it.”
“Ain’t got no choice but to.” He shrugs. “Baby girl deserves the world. Whatever I don’t know, I’ll learn. Ms. Thomas keeps me right.”
D is a single dad. Aeris’s mom left when she was five and only calls when she remembers their daughter’s birthday. He’s a year younger than me raising a whole child. I can’t keep plants alive, and he’s out here learning about training bras and CommonCore math. Sometimes, he leaves Aeris with me or Kendrick while he works nights. She’s finally playingFinal Fantasy VII, the game that inspired her name.
I lock up the equipment we used and motion toward the locker rooms. “Will you be good this season, with coverage and stuff?”
He nods. “Yeah. She’ll stay home by herself more as she gets older. Ms. Thomas has a key in case of emergencies, and she’ll keep her during away games.”
“Don’t tell her daughter,” I chuckle. “Ms. Thomas is a respected block club leader, but Brianna is campaigning to be Aeris’s stepmama.”
“Don’t play. There’s no space in my freezer for any more home-cooked meals. You’d think somebody died the way she’s been hanging around the house. The last time she came over, she brought light bulbs.”
We bust out laughing. That’s a new one.
“Maybe it’s time to try out women in their early fifties.” I retrieve my bag from my locker and pull out a fresh shirt. The shower pressure here is shit. Driving home musty it is.
D throws a vest over his thermal. “I’m good on that. Speaking of trying out…”
“Don’t start, Shemar,” I warn. If he wants to be an ass, two can play. “Don’t you have aSoul Trainline to terrorize with your light skin behavior?”
“Man, fuck you,” he laughs, pushing a beanie over his low fade buzz cut. “I heard your friend is pretty. Maybe I should see if she wouldn’t mind playing house with me.”
“Keepplayingand see if we don’t end up onCriminal Minds.” I slam my locker shut harder than necessary and stuff my arms into my jacket. “Miriam is off-limits.” D is a good dude, but I’ll be damned on her behalf.
Our staredown is reminiscent ofDrumline. All that’s missing are drumsticks pointed at each other and our faces on aThanksgiving meme about whose auntie makes better mac ’n cheese.
D rubs his jaw with a smirk. He’s what you’d call a pretty boy, but he can run his hands if necessary. They’d find us knocked out on these benches tomorrow. I play about a lot, but not Miriam. I have no say in who she’s with, but the idea of her entertaining anyone bothers me more than it should. Especially someone on my team.
“Chill.” His laugh is playful as he raises his hands. “You know I don’t move like that.”
“So movearound.” I smile, brushing his shoulder on the way out. “Some of us got things to do besides help with homework.”
“Oh, this is wifey,” he says through a cackle.
I don’t bother looking back. “She’s a good friend.”
“We all have that someone we call.”
I shake my head. “Not her. We’re not like that.”
“So youlikeher like her.” He hits the lights while I get the alarm.
“I like my best friend, yes.” I lock the door behind me and autostart my car.
“Want Aeris to make you friendship bracelets?”
It’s not a bad idea.
“Could she?” I ask for real.
“Yeah, this is your future wife. Wait ’til I tell the guys.” He’s hollering now.
“Who’s ashamed of friendship bracelets?” I ignore his “future wife” comment.
