“Be—”
Ma and Dad’s words come simultaneously before Dad extends his hand for Ma to have the floor first.
“Thanks, honey,” Ma tells Dad before her eyes land on me, and she finishes her statement. “Don’t be so quick to let someone into your life. People can pull the wool over your eyes and then suffocate you with that same fabric once you’re comfortable.”
“Wow.” Asia laughs before her humor is cut with a glare from Ma.
“What your mother is trying to say is what I’ll say too. Be careful not only with your daughter but with your heart. Don’t allow your vulnerability to trip you into believing you’re ready if you’re not,” Dad says.
A frown forms, and my chest tightens because I don’t like the insinuation my parents try to make about my woman.
“First off, I’m quite capable of judging a person’s character and reading them. I appreciate the advice, but in this case, it’s not necessary. Caziya is different. She’s a woman of substance, merit, and values that you’ve raised me to seek after. I’ve also been around Caziya enough to believe that the person I’m getting to know is worth not only having around me but also Zakiyah. I appreciate you all trying to look out for me, but I've got it. This isn’t my first rodeo post-Danica. But it is the first time I have felt the need to include Kiki. No woman I’ve entertained has been able to breathe Kiki’s air until now, and I don’t think it’s going to backfire.”
The tightness in my chest fades, and the lingering concern I had evaporates upon speaking my peace about Caziya. The more I say about Caziya and her intentions, the more I believe that she’s every good thing Kiki and I deserve to have.
“Well, you better tell them, big brother,” Asia cosigns.
“Alright. I won’t interfere or say anything else. I trust that you know what you’re doing. But I want to meet this young lady. When you’re ready, of course,” Ma says.
“Want Yaya, Daddy.” Zakiyah smiles. All I can do is shake my head because after all that, my daughter hasn’t forgotten her desire to be in Caziya’s presence.
“Later. I promise.” The declaration is one I intend to keep because after this discussion, the urge to lay eyes on my woman has my chest aching.
“I guess my grandbaby has spoken her peace. If she were saying something negative about Yaya, then we could havereason to question her authenticity. For now, let’s see where this goes,” Dad says before picking Zakiyah up before the five of us head to the dining room to eat.
Well, I guess that’s the pin in this conversation for now, thanks to Dad and his ability to know just what to say. With my thoughts on the woman of the hour, I stop and pull my phone from my pocket to text Caziya.
Me:
Thanks to Kiki and her need to be up under you, you were the pre-dinner topic. But like your little sidekick, I need to see you today.
Caziya must be somewhere with her phone already in her hands because her reply comes quickly. A smirk forms when I read her reply because I can only imagine how much my words catch her off guard.
Caziya:
Pre-dinner topic? Should I be worried? *wide eyes emoji*
Me:
Not at all. Kiki just kept saying she wanted Yaya, and it caused my parents to question who that was. Nothing significant, and definitely nothing to worry about. But am I coming to you or are you coming to my crib when we leave here?
Caziya:
Aw, my pooh. I miss her cute little self too. You can come to me. I had a toddler bed delivered for Zakiyah today, so you can spend the night if you'd like.
See, this is why Caziya has my damn heart doing backflips, and I can’t go days without laying my eyes on her. A woman who doesn’t mind including my child is a woman worthy of defending against anyone and everyone.
Me:
You want me to tell you I love you now or when I see you? Damn, Ziya. I hope you’re ready for a long-term commitment because I ain’t about to let your beautiful ass go.
Caziya:
LOL
“Are you coming to eat with us, Zakai?” Ma’s voice rings out, and I quickly type my response before I continue to my destination.
Me:
