Sighing heavily, I took a seat on the floor beside her. “Talk to me.” I spoke slowly and lowered my voice an octave. Lifting her hand from fidgeting with the carpet, I held it in mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I know it’s something bothering you, so you better tell me before I tickle it out of you.”
She gave me an evil side eye. “You better not.” I scrunched my fingers like I was about to do it, and she giggled. “Oh my goodness. Leave me alone, Lyrix.”
I bumped her shoulder. “I can’t until I know you’re good.”
Her smile faltered. I watched her eyes water and had to fight the urge to burn the world down. She exhaled sadly and then said, “It’s just something my mama said on the phone.”
I inwardly scowled, already knowing how her mother could be. “What did she say, Bubbles?”
When she turned to look at me, the tears she was trying so desperately to keep in began to roll down her cheeks. I could feel her sorrow when she stared into my eyes. As always, I instantly wanted to make it better.
“She said it was unfair and selfish to put my burdens on you,” she whispered. The crack in her voice ripped through my body like a poison. I snatched her into my side, allowing her the space to really process her mother’s hurtful words. Why would she even say some shit like that to her own child?
When she began to calm down, I palmed her face and stared into her troubled eyes. “With all due respect, fuck Ms. Tracy,” I spat. She gave me a little smile before I continued. “You and my boys are not burdens because that would mean you’re a heavy load. Y’all are weightless, like grace. Don’t let what she thinks you deserve be the truth. I offered my home because I wanted to. Not because I feel sorry for you or nothing like that. I did this because I’d rather be on the streets than y’all.”
I lay my forehead against hers. For a beat of silence, all that could be heard was our shallow breaths and the light patter of rain. “People have never understood the depth of our friendship, and we don’t need them to, because shit has always been different with us. Have you felt unwanted since you’ve been here?” She sniffled, then shook her head slowly. “Exactly. You are wanted. My boys are wanted. Shit, I might even need y’all here with me. The boys are the happiest I’ve seen them in a while, and so are you. Y’all deserve that. You understand me?”
She nodded, but I shook my head. “Nah, I need you to speak up, Bubbles. This some serious shit, and I don’t want you doubting a muthafuckin’ thing on account of your mama and her missing side tooth. That’s the only burden she needs to be worried about.”
This time, she actually laughed. She swatted my shoulder while rocking back and forth, cackling. “Don’t be talking about my mama, Lyrix.”
“Well, she better stop talking to you crazy. I don’t play about you, Grai. You know that.”
She smiled softly, sighed, and allowed herself to get lost in my eyes. “I do.”
We sat there, staring at each other goofily, before I remembered the sandwich my mother had made for her. “Let that shit go, and come eat this sub my mama made for you.” I helped her off the floor and could tell she’d left the dead weight from that phone call on the floor. I was happy because that sadness and doubt were beneath her. Her place in my life was secure. It was the last thing Ms. Tracy should’ve been speaking on, and I was going to let her know that the next time I saw her too.
Chapter 8
Lyrix
One week later . . .
Pulling onto the driveway, I felt relief flood my veins. I was finishing up a week of carrying loads from one side of the country to the next. While I’d spoken to Grai and my boys daily, I was still ready to lay eyes on them. My mama had been giving me updates that they were all doing well, but I always felt better when I could feel their energy caress me. I could always tell when something wasn’t right with my three.
I parked my truck along the tree line that surrounded my property. Before I hopped out, I grabbed my dufflebag from the passenger seat. My steps across the lawn were long and hurried so I could get inside. Before I could even insert my key in the lock, the front door was snatched open, and my boys stood there giddily. I saw nothing but light in their eyes before they rushed me. I inhaled streams of warm joy when they embraced me in a group hug that made me drop my bag.
“Welcome back,” Ace told me.
“It’s good to be back. What’s up with y’all?” I asked, releasing them and ruffling Loh’s curly hair. I needed to take him for a trim before the week was out. I bent down to pick up my duffle,then we all went inside. I was sure to lock the door behind me for safety.
“Nothing, waiting for dinner. Mommy is in the kitchen with Mama Dee,” Loh shared with me.
On cue, I could hear their light laughter floating from the kitchen. A glowing orb of light extended from the kitchen into the dark living room. It beckoned me forward until I stepped into the kitchen, and my eyes landed on Grai. She glanced over her shoulder instantaneously, like she’d felt my presence.
“Hey, Pop. Welcome home,” she greeted me with a warm smile. Something about hearing her refer to this as home shifted something around inside of me. My eyes studied the smile on her face, down to the fitted leggings and t-shirt hugging her curvy frame. Unintentionally, I licked my lips, dropped my bag, and crossed the floor. Her arms were already open by the time I made it to her. I sighed contentedly when they wrapped my waist at the same time mine went around her shoulders. She placed her chin on my chest, then looked up at me with the most adorable look in her eyes.
I placed a kiss on her forehead. “Thank you, Bubbles. Whatchu in here cooking? It smells good as fuck.” I released her to rub my growling stomach. Walking over to my mother, I hugged her and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Cajun shrimp pasta since I knew you would be home tonight. Go ahead and unwind. By the time you’re done, the food will be too.” She glanced over at the boys waiting in the doorway for me. “Besides, the two of them have been waiting all day to fill you in on all the good and juicy details about their lives.” She pouted, not even ashamed to let her jealousy shine through.
I winked and nodded. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
I headed upstairs with the boys on my heels. When we got up there, I went straight into my bedroom. My duffle was tossed to the floor while they went to plop on my bed. Loh wasted notime going into vivid detail about an art project he had to do this week. He was a very creative and hands-on boy. He thrived best in the classes where he could move his body or express himself. I could see him growing up to become a cartoon animator or something like that.
The entire time he talked, Ace lay across the bed, staring at the ceiling. He may not have come from my loins, but he was just like me. Quiet . . . Calculated . . . More likely to keep things to himself than to speak on them. I followed the advice I gave his mother, too, and never pushed him. The fact that he was even in here was proof that he needed some of my attention too. After dinner, I would make time for us to speak alone.
“So, Mr. Carter said he was going to submit my painting for the district art show.”
