Ray leaned back in his chair, relaxing. “So, son…what you got planned for the rest of the day?”
Zaire hesitated, rolling a piece of bacon between his fingers. “Probably just chill…think.”
Meadow’s fork paused halfway up.
She saw it.
That little flicker in his eyes…the doubt…the weight he tried to pretend wasn’t sitting on his chest.
Ray saw it too.
“Hmmm,” Ray hummed, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Thinking ain’t bad. Long as you don’t drown in it.”
Zaire nodded but kept quiet because his thoughts were everywhere all at once.
Ray cracked his knuckles. “Well, since you ain’t doin’ nothin’…why don’t you come out on the greens with me?”
Zaire looked up. “For what?”
Ray smirked. “To think better.”
Meadow hid her smile behind her cup.
Ray continued, “Ain’t no better place to clear your head than walkin’ them greens. You walk, you swing, you listen to the wind. That land’ll talk back if you let it.”
Zaire leaned back, considering it.
Ray added, “Plus, I could use a hand movin’ some of them markers. My knees ain’t what they used to be.”
Meadow snorted. “Daddy, your knees ain’t ever been good.”
Ray waved her off. “Hush. You gon’ come or what?” he asked Zaire.
Zaire finished his last bite, wiped his mouth, and nodded. “Yeah…I’ll come through.”
Ray grinned proudly, that warm Black father approval. “Atta boy. Meadow, you comin’ with us?”
“No,” Meadow responded quickly. “I have to clean up and check on Mama.”
Ray nodded. “Mmhmm. You do that. Me and Zaire gon’ walk.”
Zaire stood up slow, stretching his back, feeling lighter than when he walked in. “You need help?”
“You clean?” Meadow asked lifting from her seat as well.
“I do anything you need me to do…just tell me what you need?” His thick brows shaped his beautiful brown face like a fancy frame, Meadow wanted to hang up and masturbate to while watching him.
She tried to hide her smile by tucking her lips into her mouth. “I’m good…go on.”
Ray slapped his shoulder. “You ready?”
Zaire looked at Meadow, her eyes already on him though she tried to look away fast.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “I’m ready.”
Ray winked at Meadow on his way out. “He a good one, baby.”
Meadow rolled her eyes so hard she saw her brain.
