Demo waved him off.
“Let me know if you need anythin’. Let’s get up soon to talk about this new business shit. Business men, huh?”
Biggie chuckled, but it came out sounding sad. For some reason, him stepping out of that car felt like the end of an era. They lingered for a moment longer before Biggie patted Demo on the shoulder.
“Business men,” he confirmed.
Without another word, Biggie opened the door and slowly got out. As soon as Wallis spotted him, he took off.
“Wallis, be careful, baby!” Tuesday yelled after him, and Biggie could tell she worried about his injuries and Wallis being too rough on him, but his son was aight with him. He had been needing his love and energy for almost two weeks, and he welcomed him with open arms. With a slight struggle, he stepped up onto the curb and bent to pick Wallis up. He was out of breath again already, but he didn’t pay that any mind. He hugged his son tightly, relishing in the warmth of him.
“How are you, big man?”
“Sick, daddy? Mama say you sick?” Wallis asked, grabbing Biggie’s cheeks in his hands and looking into his father’s eyes.
Biggie’s eyes teared up at that moment. Looking into his son’s eyes, his son who looked so much like him, it made him realize how much of a blessing it really was to be alive.
“Daddy’s okay now. I’m okay.”
They hugged for a moment, and Biggie noticed Tuesday standing in the grass and looking at them with tears running down her face. After a few minutes, Biggie put Wallis down, and he took off running toward his toys that were scattered inthe front yard. Biggie slowly made his way toward Tuesday and pulled her into him by her waist.
“Biggie—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” he grumbled, leaning down to kiss her. He wanted to do more, but he knew he wasn’t in the best shape to show her how much he really wanted her.
Tuesday pulled away and noticed his staggered breath before grabbing his hand and calling out to Wallis.
“Baby, it’s time to go inside.”
Wallis didn’t reply. He simply left all his toys right in the grass and ran toward the door with Biggie and Tuesday following. Biggie could tell Tuesday was getting ready to fuss over him, and he decided he would let her. He wanted to come to her home for a reason. Love lived here, and he wanted to soak it all in.
Just when they stepped to the door, Tuesday’s mom stepped out. She looked surprised to see them all standing there, and then a smile spread across her face.
“I was just about to leave.” She put her eyes on Tuesday. “I just finished cooking. Fried chicken, mac and cheese and biscuits. You need anything else?”
Tuesday shook her head.
“I told you not to cook, Mama. I appreciate you.”
“I wanted you to be able to spend time with this handsome young man here without having to worry about food. Hi, I’m Celia, Tuesday’s mother.”
Biggie stretched out his hand.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am. Thank you for cooking. I definitely like to eat.”
Tuesday and Celia giggled before Celia responded.
“It’s really no problem. I wasn’t expecting to meet you until you were feeling a bit better, but I’m glad I ran into you now. I’lllet you guys get settled.” She moved out of the way and allowed them to walk into the house.
“Bye-bye!” Wallis called out, waving from the door.
“Bye, Wallis. You be good.”
“No!” he said before charging into the house.
“That boy is hell.” Biggie chuckled and then insisted on watching Celia get into her sedan and drive off before they closed the door.
“Go sit. Are you hungry now?” Tuesday asked.
