“Fuck no, daddy. Hit this shit however you want.”
“Good, because I was planning on doing just that to my pussy.”
My leg stretched up more as I came again, with Burkeley following me.
“Again,Mackie, you have to be careful with trying to use both these new tinctures and the edibles,” I stressed to the old man who was too busy adding a teaspoon of the new tincture I had finally finished in a freshly brewed cup of hot water. Since these were all herbs already, he didn’t need a tea packet like before.
My only concern was Mackie wanting to keep using both.
After Burkeley made my move in date official for this weekend, I knew that meant I would be transporting my newbatch of herbal remedies. The perfectionist in me wanted to stretch it another week before having Mackie try them but figured this would be the best time to deliver them and have him test them out.
Yes, he was now getting used to the edibles, but I wanted Mackie back on the products I controlled, so I knew what he was taking. But of course he had other plans and wanted to worry me about it in the process.
“Oh hush, girl. I know what I’m doing. On days when I use your herbal remedies, I won’t eat an edible. Hell, I might sell them to Henry’s old ass. But—” He paused and brought the cup up to his mouth and sniffed as he closed his eyes, taking a sip.
I held my breath as I waited for his full reaction. I leaned up in the chair as I rubbed Peanut who was moving around today.
“Ooh, Mickey, Viola would be proud. And what did you say this was again? It’s strong, but good. I can definitely taste that liquor,” he said before going back in for another sip.
“Ginger and dandelion root with a hint of peppermint in the one you just tasted. The other batch is turmeric and ginger. And the last bottle is chamomile and ashwagandha with a hint of lavender. Be extremely careful not to mix any of them together when you take them. Some don’t mix well and will have you laid up or stuck in the bathroom.”
Mackie fussed more while the sound of my phone vibrating had me pulling it from my purse to see a text from Amber. We had plans to link up after I left here and I was honestly excited to hang out with her. At the Halloween party I had been able to talk to her more and loved her whole vibe.
Amber: Hey Mickey, I’m just letting you know I’m driving down from the Keys right now.
Me: Okay! I’m still at Golden Age, so we should link up right on time.
Amber: Oh perfect! See you then.
I hearted the messaged and locked my phone before putting it back into my purse then put my attention on Mackie who had stopped fussing long enough to take another drink of his tea.
“I take it you like it?” I asked with a smirk.
“That punch that the liquor adds hits harder with the herbs than the older remedies. It’s a change for sure, but I like it. Now I see why you told me to try it with the water first.” I chuckled as he took another sip. I reached for the cup just as he finished. I had been heavy handed with the alcohol in these for sure because I wasn’t sure how potent it would be against the amount of bitter herbs I used.
“Yeah, I’ma have to cut that alcohol dose down with these ones. I can’t have you tipsy in here, Grandpa. These people are going to look at me crazy the next time I come to visit.” Of course, Mackie wasn’t fazed at all as he waved me off, but didn’t take the cup back I had just set down on the side table for him.
“Don’t go messing with nothing. It’s a good mix. Did that man of yours get his wish? Is this a permanent thing now?”
I chuckled at Burkeley coming in and shutting down everything he didn’t approve of and my silly ass just rocking with it. In this case though, it made sense.
“Yes. Besides, like you said, I want to make Viola proud.” He smiled at the mention of my granny, as he nodded, leaned back, and closed his eyes. It got quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. No, it reminded me of the times when we would be in his den and Mackie always fell asleep with me curling up right beside him and doing the same.
I was too far along to do that today, nor were we in his den, but I closed my eyes since I knew I had a little minute before I had to meet up with Amber.
“Hey baby!How are you and Peanut feeling today?”
I came around the corner from the front room, to see not only Mrs. Anna but Kat too, walking in the back door carrying bags of food and what looked like stuff from the baby store. My attention hadn’t been on my phone since I’d gotten back from packing up my herbs and spices this morning but I also knew I hadn’t missed a call about them showing up together this afternoon. I was fully aware that my twisted up mouth and furrowed eyebrows showed my confusion right now. I loved them dearly, but my only plan was to get my herbs acclimated to the space with Burkeley’s plants. With both of us being big on energy, it was important to get mine incorporated into his space without changing the energy of his. So I had been busy meditating and asking for a welcome as I blessed the spot for my jarred herbs and spices in the room.
With Burkeley taking over the process of getting me all moved in here, this was my only job. That man wouldn’t even let me handle my personals, saying that was now his job. I knew his freaky ass just wanted to snoop in my panty drawer.
“We’re doing fine. What are y’all doing here? Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming, Mama?” I hugged and kissed them, with each of them rubbing Peanut.
“Well I called BK. I assumed y’all were together when he gave us the okay to stop by,” Mrs. Anna said, now washing her hands while Kat set the bags down.
“Pfft… since when do I ever need to call and tell you, Mickey? You moved in with BK and now your mother has to call you. I don’t care what your address is or who you’re shacking up with, as long as I’m breathing, I’m pulling up whenever I want.” Irolled my eyes hard while Kat now put her attention on Mrs. Anna who was unpacking the food for the week.
“Anna, you see how these kids think they’re grown now because they’re making babies and falling in love? Hmph, like we can’t come check up on ’em. Well you got my permission to pull up anytime too, glamma number two. Especially once Peanut makes their grand arrival.”
