“Right? Now, you’ll have an idea of what your little ones will look like.”
A nervous giggle skipped from my lips. “Not too fast. Even after knowing him for so long, it feels like we’re justreallygetting to know each other. Only recently did I learn why he dislikes Christmas.”
“Oh, that. Yeah. I understand his feelings, but it hurts my heart. While everyone else is floating on a cloud, he’s usually buried under one.” She ran her fingers down a picture of a young Loso and another boy. He looked a few years older, but they shared the same peanut-butter complexion, and his eyes disappeared when he smiled just like Loso’s.
“This must be Loso’s big brother. He speaks highly of him.”
“Yeah. That’s my baby Lucas. Losing him wasn’t just hard on Loso. Their father never really healed.”
“I assume that’s him outside. I spoke, but I don’t think he heard me.”
She smacked her lips. “Don’t mind him. When Lawerence is doing something, he has a one-track mind.” She vacated the couch and marched to the door. “Law! Get in here. I want you to meet someone.”
Loso’s mom didn’t have the chance to make it back to her seat before her husband was through the door.
“Baby! Why are you doing all that yelling? You know I’m working.”
“I just need a minute of your time.” She tapped my thigh. “I want you meet Essen. You probably remember the name. She’s Shiloh’s little sister.”
He nodded as he stripped his hands of gloves. “Shiloh? Loso’s friend. Hm. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. You have a beautiful home.”
Mrs. Terri smirked at me. “Essen took over the party planning since Kayla had to back out. Loso set up the arrangement.”
A grimaced overpowered his round face. “Oh Lord. I hate to see how things are going to pan out.”
Something in my body urged me to step forward. “Loso may not have always been the best judge of character, but he doesn’t play about you two. Trust me, I don’t play about my reputation. You’re in good hands.”
“Hm. It sounds like you’re fond of my son. How old are you, young lady?”
I showed him a full rack of teeth. “Old enough to run a business and take care of you and Mrs. Bricks.”
“And you said my son sent you over here?”
“Your son connected me to Mrs. Terri, but she asked me to stop by and grab pictures for the video montage.”
He nodded as he turned to leave. “I have a picture of with me and the boys on the last Christmas. Terri, be sure to put them in the show.”
“I will, baby.”
Despite the cold shoulder he gave me, I could sense Mrs. Terri was the light in his life. The resentment in his specs softened, and he removed some bass out of his voice when he addressed her.
I started to put my phone away when the screen lit up, but seeing Loso’s calling triggered me to snatch it up.
“Where you at, pretty girl?” Loso quizzed over the phone. “I thought I would see you today.”
“That was the plan, but a very important person needed my attention.” The sudden muteness made me check to make sure we didn’t get disconnected. “Hello?”
“I know you’re not with another nigga.”
“Boy! Watch your mouth,” Mrs. Terri ejaculated, letting me know the volume on my phone was too high.
“Oh shit. I mean, hi, Mama. How did y’all end up together?”
She explained her slideshow idea, and I listened to Loso complain that he could have handled it.
“Baby, you have done more than enough.”
