Typing in the code to the door, I walked inside.
Me: You gotta determine that.
Kyiris: Aight, what you want?
Me: I need you to reach out to your homegirl at the flower shop and order me fifty long stem roses with the custom Will You Be My Valentine message on it.
Kyiris: Oh, that’s doable. I got you.
I’d gotten her to buy in on the small favor first before I got to the big one.
Me: I need it tonight tho. And I need it dropped off to Amil’s crib.
Kyiris: Now, wait a minute, nigga. You should’ve lead with all that.
I laughed out loud, knowing she was gon’ have some smart shit to say.
Me: You can send it in an Uber Black. I’ll pay. All I need you to do is make the call.
Kyiris: Smh. Alright wit’ ya late ass.
Me: Preciate you. Love you.
Kyiris: Mmhmm. Love you too.
In this short time, I’d learned that Thyri loved simple things like morning texts, good night texts, random videos that I thought were funny sent to her on IG, and Edible Arrangements. She was easy to please, which made me want to make this Valentine’s Day proposal special for her without all the theatrics.
“Daddyyyy.” EJ came running at me full speed.
Thankfully, he had on grip socks because his head was no match for my mother’s hardwood floors.
“I thought you’d be back late,” she said, kissing my cheek.
“Nah. How was the movie?”
“It was good. He stayed quiet the whole time. You had to see him with a big bucket of popcorn and the slushy he tried to balance in his lap at the same time.”
“That’s Daddy big man.” I picked EJ up and swung him over my back.
“So, what you got planned for Thyri for Valentine’s Day? You need me to watch him?” We walked into the living room and sat down.
“If you could for a few hours, I’d appreciate it. Kyiris is throwing this “Will You Be My Boo” Valentine’s Day party for the couples.”
She chuckled. “One thing about my niece, she love a theme.”
“And will drive everyone crazy about it. Ma, she created a whole group chat and been sending scheduled updates.”
“She is my brother’s child for sure. Oh, there’s something I wanna show you. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
“Daddy.” EJ called to me while climbing on my neck.
“Wassup, son?”
“Daddy, I play,” he said, flipping off my neck onto the couch.
“I see. You better be careful fore Grandma get you for flipping on her couch.”
