“I feel the same way. I want my own kids, though. I feel like I may be burned out before I can get to do so.”
“I tell you what. I'll take the kids for the week. I don't have to be back on site for a while, so you take some time with your little friend and enjoy yourself. The kids will be fine.”
“Jah, I can't do that. It's appointments and shit that have to go on. I would never stop what you got going on, and you provide for us.”
“Lonni, I’m good. Go before I change my mind for real.”
She thought about it for a minute and snatched the phone before rushing to her room. Twenty minutes later, Lonni was walking back into the den with two bags of luggage.
“Jah, if you need me, you promise to call,” Lonni said.
“Lonni, bye. And be safe. If you need anything, call me.”
My sister kissed me on the jaw and rushed out the door. I ended up sending her some money. I didn’t know who her nigga was, but I liked for her to have her own money just in case she needed to leave. I locked the house up and went to shower so I could get in bed and watch a little television. I was trying not to think about Tatiyonna, but it was hard. The more we spent time together, the more I craved her presence around me. It was more than just sexual, even though when we were together, it was hard to keep my hands off of her. No one could deny the sexual tension between us.
Wednesday
I opened the door for Tatiyonna and helped her with her bags. This time, she let me help her. Usually, she would pop up to the appointments with at least three bags on her arm.
“How you been?” I asked as I looked her up and down.
“I’ve been good. How about you?”
“Better now.” I winked at her.
I followed behind her as she led the way to the den with the twins. Once I set her bag down, I gave them privacy. The twins had about five weeks before school started, and they were doing great. I also knew that services with Tatiyonna were about to slow down. She was only going to see them once a month. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but I respected what she did for aliving and had to realize that the twins weren’t the only ones who needed her.
As Tatiyonna wrapped up the appointment, I was in the kitchen getting their snacks ready. Keeping them on schedule helped, and when we deviated from it, it took forever to get them back on track. I could see from the kitchen that Reign was rubbing her eyes. For the last ten minutes of the session, she had blocked out everything Tatiyonna was saying because she was sleepy. Honestly, Reign needed the least therapy, and Tatiyonna noticed that. Which is why she had her doing other things like sight words and learning to write and say her full name correctly.
“You need help while I’m here?” Tatiyonna asked when she entered the kitchen. “I know with Lonni being gone, you could use a hand.”
I looked up at her, surprised that she wasn’t trying to keep it professional in front of the kids. This wouldn’t be the first time she stayed over. I mean, it was that one time her car fucked up, and she ate dinner with us. They loved her, and it wouldn’t be strange to them.
“I got it. If you want to stick around, though, you can.” I looked at her.
“My next appointment is in a few hours. I can help you get them settled before I leave.”
“I appreciate it.”
“You know, after the next appointment, I won’t see them but once a month. They are doing amazing. Dream has come a long way, and you should be proud.”
“I am proud. Which reminds me that I should apologize for how mean I was during our second encounter. You did work a miracle, and you got my boy talking a little too damn good.”
Tatiyonna laughed, “I told you I was that girl.”
“That you are.” I bit my bottom lip.
“Umm, no, we are not going there today.”
“What? I’m not going there with you today either,” I told her. “You don’t have the time for what I want to do to you. You’ll have to pencil me when Lonni gets back.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Once I got the kids down for their nap, Tatiyonna was putting her shoes on to leave. Seems like I never had enough time with her. I wanted her for at least two or three days by myself. It was so much about her that I still wanted to know. I pulled her towards me and walked her back into the living room.
“I know all you do is work and try to figure shit out between you and your husband, but I want to spend some time with you. Can you get away for a few days? No work. No phones. Just us.”
“Jah, I can’t do that. My schedule is busy. Especially with school about to start back. A few days is stretching it.”
