“I’m capable of paying, Kaleo.”
“I’ll snatch your choosing ability,” I threatened.
She laughed. “Yeah, okay.”
I went from the bench to the floor and propped a knee up. I tapped it. Novi looked down at me.
“Foot,” I said and tapped again.
She set her foot on my knee and I unlaced the ugly ass bowling shoes she had on and slipped them off for her. I grabbedher shoes and helped her slide her foot in. Then, I repeated the task with the other, sat back beside her and toed my own bowling shoes off.
“Thank you, Kaleo,” she said sweetly.
“You’re welcome, November.” I grabbed my shoes and jerked them closer.
“Are you close with your mom or just your dad?”
“What?” I looked over at her.
“You told me that your mom got to name you after her family and that she dealt with some stupid ass men.”
“Yeah, nah.” I put my shoes on. “She uh, she went ghost when I was in elementary school. She got married to husband number three and dipped out. I don’t talk to her or know what happened to her. I think Rob keeps up with her but I wouldn’t know.” I leaned back and looked at Novi.
I didn’t bother telling her that my parents had gotten married at eighteen. She’d loved my dad’s fast life and shit when she’d had Rob and me, but when he’d started settling down she’d dipped out because she loved drama and chaos almost as much as she loved the fast money.
Her second husband had been some little drug dealer that played video games with Rob more than he worked or hung out with her for real. He’d gotten lit up on the block and made her a widow.
Husband number three had been a supplier to a bigger drug dealer. He hadn’t liked her being a mom so we weren’t around him much but she’d drop by randomly with clothes and snacks. After he went upside her head one too many times and my dad and uncle went upside his, she’d cut contact. She’d reached out when they’d actually gotten engaged but our pops hadn’t let us go to the wedding and ole dude moved her to a whole different country a few months later. She hadn’t called or written after that but at least she’d signed her rights over to make sure ourpops could make all the decisions he needed to without her if it came down to it.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Kaleo.”
“I’m good.” I shrugged. “I’ve never wanted for anything and she showed me exactly the kind of nigga I don’t want to be.” I exhaled. “My dad and I are close though. That’s my dawg.”
“He sounds like a good man.”
“He is.” I let my eyes drift over Novi from her head on down and back up. She noticed. She shifted slightly in her seat. “What about you? Are you close with your family?”
“I am. My parents are good people. They’re a little overprotective sometimes but I know they love me and want the best for me.”
I nodded at that.
“You deserve that.”
“You deserve it too.” She nudged me with her elbow. “Your mom leaving or whatever isn’t a reflection of you and isn’t because you deserve less or something.”
“You trying to read me, November?”
“No. I’m just saying.”
“Well, thank you. I know that though. I promise.”
“Good.” Novi looked off to the side then back at me. “Kaleo,” she said my name quietly.
“Yeah?”
“You know you don’t have to try to save me, right?”
“What?” I scoffed.
