“That sounds like pookie-doo if you ask me.”
“You think so?” I queried.
“I know so. You need to watch him. Are the cameras all set up in the right places?”
“Yes, Mommy. Don’t worry; I’m watching.”
“Good. How is he?”
“He’s surprisingly amazing. The kids are loving him already. They are literally behaving, and it’s kind of scary, to be honest.”
“Scary?”
I laughed. “Not in a bad way, Mommy. It’s like he’s giving them room to be themselves, but in an organized kind of way. They listen to him, and he listens to them . . . It’s crazy, but it may just be because he’s new and . . . fun.”
“Hmm. Sounds like you like him too.”
“Not like that. He’s good to my babies, so that’s all that matters.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I bet he’sgoodto you too. I’ll be over in about an hour to meet him. Gotta check his temperature, or his car gon’ be the next one I blow up.”
“Mommy!” I couldn’t help but laugh, although that situation wasn’t funny. “It’s hard to believe you didn’t give my daddy hell when y’all were together.”
“I sure did! And the demons that came with it too.”
I laughed harder. “Bye, Ma. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Mm-hmm. Bye, baby.”
I hung up, and my thoughts went to my dad. He had moved to Florida seven years ago when he and my mom got a divorce. We talked twice a month, and he always sent the kids gifts. I hadn’t visited him since Carlee was born, but I thought I’d surprise him while we were down there.
He had no idea about my and Leo’s split, and I wanted to keep it that way for now. My parents weren’t good at being nice to people they knew hurt me in some way. I had always been their pride and joy, so I knew telling him wouldn’t be wise. My dad would have flown up here like he was Hancock and put a bullet in Leo for the stunt he pulled. I certainly wouldn’t be able to defend him on an attempted murder charge, since I sent guilty people to jail.
My parents never showed me bad times while they were married, but I knew they were toxic together. I used to hear small arguments that they thought I couldn’t hear, but it never got physical until I was out of the house. It was mostly my mom who caused hell, but my daddy wasn’t exactly a saint either.
They would cheat on each other and crash out on each other. It was crazy, but they loved my brother and me, despite their flaws.
I exercised for another thirty minutes while watching and listening to Basil and the kids. He was now serving them dinner since it was seven o’clock. My kids were picky eaters, but one thing they liked the most was homemade chicken tenders and French fries.
I had to admit that today seemed lighter than it had in over a month, and I appreciated every moment I could breathe without feeling overwhelmed.
Turning out the lights after I wiped everything down, I headed upstairs to my bedroom to shower and change. Once done, I slipped on some leggings and a T-shirt, then walkedout of my room to find Carsyn in his bedroom, putting on his pajamas.
He slipped his shirt over his head and smiled at me. “Hey, Mommy.”
“Hey, baby boy.” I smiled while entering his room and taking a seat on his gaming chair. “Did you enjoy yourself today?”
“Yeah. Is Mr. B staying? Like Ms. Shelly?”
“He won’t be living with us, but he will be here every day for as long as I need him. Why do you ask?”
He shrugged his little shoulders. “I like him. He nice, and he play the game with me.”
I smiled. “You like him better than Ms. Shelly?”
“I like Ms. Shelly. She was nice, too, but I like Mr. B better. Ms. Shelly didn’t play the game with me, and she made me eat peas.Ilk,” he said, cringing.
I laughed. “Well, Mr. B is going to make you eat veggies too, buddy. Don’t think you’re off the hook.”
