He moved quickly, almost tripping over his own feet.
“EJ’s oatmeal is cooling on the counter. He has a fruit cup and his juice in the fridge. This one has the fruit in water instead of syrup. I don’t know if he’ll like it but try it out.”
Enzo nodded once. “I got it, baby. And if it means anything, I had a conversation with KJ on the ride here. If I overstepped, I apologize in advance.”
I smiled. “No need to apologize. I appreciate it. I’m gonna apologize in advance though. If you hear some furniture moving back there, it’s just me boxing with KJ.”
“Mannn.” He laughed. “Go on, woman.”
Smirking, I turned around and made my way to KJ’s bedroom. Pushing the cracked door open, I disregarded the clutter and focused on him. Closing the door behind me, I stood a few feet from where he sat on the edge of his bed, staring straight ahead.
“Talk.”
He shifted on the bed then swallowed before speaking. “I’m not suspended.”
“That’s good to hear. It still doesn’t explain why you’re in my house at eleven in the morning when you should be at them people school. So, again, I ask what… the… hell happened?”
I watched his chest rise and fall as he sighed loudly. “I was called into the principal’s office about some weed being sold around the school.”
“And?”
“That’s it,” he said quickly.
“Do you want me to wring your goddamn neck, Kaleb?”
“No.”
“So, stop playin’ wit’ me. Were you selling weed?”
“Yeah. But…” His ringing phone cut him off.
I knew it was his father calling by the ringtone.
“Answer it,” I pushed.
“Ma…”
“I said pick up the phone,” I repeated through gritted teeth. “And put it on speaker.”
He dropped his head and pulled the phone from his pocket to answer.
“Wassup, son?”Kaleb’s voice came through light.
“Wassup, Pop?”KJ responded, sounding like he’d lost his best friend.
“Wassup witchu? Why you sound all down and shit?”
“Our son has something he needs to tell you,”I said, refusing to play KJ’s game of mum’s the word.
“Thyri?”He called out my name, clearly confused.“Where y’all at? It’s the middle of the school day.”
“It’s funny you say that. Tell him where you are and why you’re here, weed man.”
KJ’s head dropped and for good reason. Dealing with me was one thing but dealing with his father was a whole other beast.
“I got picked up early.”
“For?”
