“And here I was thinking you would be out in the community room hustling them folks out their money in a card game,” I said as I greeted him with a kiss on his cheek before taking a seat across from him.
“Them old fools ain’t got no damn money.” He gave me a toothless smile as he grabbed my hand, kissing the back. I chuckled at his words as I got comfortable in the chair.
“Hey, my beautiful namesake.”
“Hi, Grandpa. How you feeling today?”
“Ain’t got no complaints. How you doing, namesake? Your folks were just up here the other day. Your mama said your gran came to her in a dream about some fish.” I shook my head as a few light giggles escaped my lips.
“I’m doing good, and Gran knows she’s messy coming back from her grave to start nasty rumors. It ain’t me, so unless another family member got some news, Gran is wrong this time,” I said confidently. I knew for a fact I wasn’t pregnant.
Mackie looked me over before he huffed and leaned his head back against the chair.
“Even from her grave, Viola ain’t never been wrong. It’ll come out eventually. Whoever it is can’t hide the belly from the world forever.” I pointed at him and nodded to agree as I wore a smirk.
“Enough of all this baby talk, I came with gifts. How did that last bottle of herbal remedies work for you?” Since I switched up the type of weed I used and the amount, I wanted to make sure that last one wasn’t too strong since I’d remade the same kind this time.
“Oh, that little bottle didn’t last long at all. One of your best batches. I even told my friend Herbert about you. He’s new and could use you and Eugene requested two bottles this time. But I told him not to say where he got it when his daughter or granddaughter comes to visit. He can’t be fucking up my shit, ya know.” I cracked up as I started removing the bottles, giving him five—two for him, two for the order, and one for a new potential client.
“Yes, please leave my name out of it. Is the money still in your top drawer?” I asked, getting up to put the bottles in the same spot I normally left them and taking the cash.
“Yeah. Should be a little extra too.” I counted out a hundred, leaving the extra twenty-five in there. There was no way I would take it. I wasn’t a dealer, just a girl helping her grandpa with his pain.
“Thanks, Mackie,” I said as I kissed his cheek and he grinned up at me.
“Now, tell me how you really doing? You not still entertaining that raggedy boy you call a man?” I snickered at him referring to Harlan.
“Grandpa, my boyfriend is a man, and yes, we’re still together. Are you ever going to tell me why you don’t like him?”
Mackie huffed as he folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t need no reason, girl. I got enough from his no good spirit that told me everything. You deserve someone who loves you right. I hope you ain’t pregnant by his ass.” I playfully rolled my eyes.
“Mackie, you haven’t even met him yet. How do you know about his spirit?”
“I don’t have to meet him to know he ain’t no good for you, Mickey. And if you’s pregnant by his ass?—"
I cut him off. Mackie was talking and getting all worked up over nothing.
“Grandpa, I’m not pregnant. I’m focusing on business. No time for no babies. The Badgers are in the World Series this year. That means more money from that suite. The Sharks are in their preseason and those suites will do good. The Royals season is about to start, not to forget all the concerts lined up this year. I just listed those suites today, for one. I’m already anticipating they will have the biggest payout this year,” I stated matter of factly. Mackie was the reason I’d even invested in the games. I could watch and understand them all well.
He loved sports and had me watching with him whenever he babysat me. I remembered the rush I got from sitting in the stands with him, but the real excitement came when we would be up in the suites looking down at everything. I loved it so much that once I got my inheritance from Viola, I leased my first suite and doubled my money back. It took a minute to fully understand how to work it so I always made money to live off, but it eventually all came together. Every year on his birthday, I took Mackie to a baseball game for old time's sake.
“That’s my girl. Your gran would be proud of how you made everything work for yourself.” He reached for my hand, giving it a tight squeeze, making me smile. I continued to catch him up on all things McKay before the nurse came to get him for dinner. I kissed him goodbye and headed home. Tomorrow was a big day for me and I was mentally preparing myself for the aftercare from the IUD placement.
The soundof the door opening had me looking up from the TV to see Harlan walking in the door with a takeout bag from Gen’s Korean BBQ. It was my favorite spot and Harlan made sure I had it at least once a week.
“Hey, baby. You must’ve heard my stomach growling from work. I’m starving and you’re right on time.” I got up, and greeted him, wrapping my arms around his neck, with Harlan kissing my lips. He tasted sweet, like peaches, and was kind of sticky. That was different, but I didn’t think too much of it. Harlan stayed eating crazy amounts of candy.
I moan into his mouth. “Mmm… you taste good. Like peaches or something.” He chuckled as he released me. Now avoiding my eyes, but I caught him wiping the corners of his mouth as if the sugar would still be there. I shrugged, shaking my head, moving right along with him as we headed for the kitchen. Once Harlan placed the food on the counter, he turned to me.
“Damn, I was hoping you didn’t notice it. I had some peach rings on the way over. Let me get cleaned up then we can eat.” He went to step by me, but I reached out, grabbing his wrist.
“No baby, it’s okay. I didn’t mind the taste.” Harlan then leaned down and went to kiss my forehead but paused.
“It’ll take me two seconds. Plus, I want to get out of this suit.” Harlan was an investment banker who worked a lot of hours, including weekends sometimes and even traveling. This week alone, I felt like I’d only seen him when he was between my legs. This was the first time since last week that we would be eating dinner together. I wasn’t going to press him about wanting to get comfortable before dinner.
So instead I watched him walk out the room, then washed my hands so I could set the table for us.
Chapter
