“Not a trash bag!” Isis cackled.
“I didn’t go back outside for recess for two weeks. I even broke up with ol’ girl the next morning, too. Told her straight up, ‘Go be with that lil’ warrior. Y’all have a nice life.
“Did you ever talk to Derrick again?” Chesteria asked.
“I ain’t evenlookin his direction. That boy was out here folding bodies like laundry and still making’ A’s.”
Isis covered her mouth, tears in her eyes. “You still scared of him?”
“Hell nah!” I answered, almost offended. “That nigga can’t fuck with the nigga I am today. Besides, I don’t fight no more; I shoot.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Nah, for real,” I added, grinning. “I’m grown. I carry trauma, bills, and a Glock. Pick which one you wanna deal with. And real talk, if I knew where the nigga stayed, I’d send ‘em a Father’s Day card. That ass whoopin’ raised me.”
Everyone laughed again.
Adrian leaned back a little, voice softening just a notch. “Man, I just hope these roads start clearing up by tomorrow, at least. I gotta see my babies for Christmas. Ain’t no way I’m missing’ that. Say what you want ‘bout me. I might lie, might finesse, might even flirt with somebody’s mama if she smiles too hard at me, but I’m a damn good father. Ain’t a soul alive gon’ take that from me.”
The room got quiet for a beat. Chesteria glanced up. Something in her eyes flickered. It was a quick, unspoken ache.She masked it fast, but not fast enough. Her eyes briefly drifted to the fire, then she suddenly stood.
“I’ma head to bed.”
All eyes went on her.
“You good?” I asked, frowning slightly.
“Yeah, yeah,” she replied too quickly. “I just need to lay down. Y’all stay, keep laughing. I’m good.”
She disappeared down the hallway, her steps soft but heavy.
I sat there for a beat longer, her absence loud. Then I stood. “I’ma go check on her.”
Adrian and Isis gave me a look, like they both knew… likeweall knew.
I walked down the hall and knocked gently on the door. “Chesteria, it’s just me.”
A pause.
“Come in,” she called softly.
I opened the door halfway. She was already in bed, tucked under the covers, her back to me, facing the window.
“You didn’t have to check on me.”
“I wanted to.”
“I’m okay.”
I leaned against the doorframe. “You always say that when you’re hurting.”
Chesteria let out an empty, brittle, and breathy laugh. “That’s ‘cause I don’t like being a burden.”
“You never been one… not to me.”
She finally turned more toward me, hesitant. “Can you… stay? Just for a little while? Lay with me?”
She didn’t have to tell me twice. I stepped inside and closed the door like it weighed less than the moment. My heart was already in the bed before I was. After kicking off my slides, I eased under the covers next to her, slowly. To keep it respectful, I grabbed a pillow and tucked it between my dick and her ass.
