“As long as it’s not peas. I hate peas and aspagus.”
I shook my head, stood, and walked over to him to place a kiss on his forehead. “It’s asparagus.”
“Yeah, that.”
I tittered. “I love you, baby boy. You can stay up for another hour or so, then it’s bedtime. We’re going to go to church with Nana in the morning.”
“Okay . . . Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“Is Daddy ever coming back home?”
That made me pause. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing to him, but I also didn’t want to lie. My son was smart and growing up on me. I knew they felt the void of their father being gone, but since he was rarely ever home, they never really asked where he’d been over the course of his absence. This was a fear of minethat I prayed would never happen, but I wasn’t foolish enough to think that it wouldn’t.
Chloe asked one time, and I told her he was on vacation, and that was it. Now, here my son was, asking about him.
“No, Carsyn. He’s not.”
His face grew a little solemn. “Why not?”
“He decided that he didn’t want to come back home, baby. But it’s okay. You will always have me.” I gave him a soft smile.
“Yeah. That mean Mr. B can move in then?”
I chuckled. “Slow down, buddy. Mr. Basil is only here to look after you guys, then he goes home at the end of the night.”
“Fine. Can I play my Nintendo Switch for a little while?”
“One more hour, then it’s bedtime.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.”
I kissed his forehead again, then left the room to check on Chloe. She had finished up in the bathroom, and I told her the plan of her being in bed in an hour, then went downstairs to check on Carlee and Basil.
He kept her occupied while the three of us took our baths and showers. I found them in the family room, dancing toGracie’s Corner’sveggie song.
Carlee giggled her little life away on his neck as Basil bounced her to the beat. I watched them for a moment until I heard the front door alarm. I knew it was my mother, so I went to meet her halfway.
“Where is he?” was the first thing she asked when she saw me.
I shook my head. “In the family room with Carlee.”
She waltzed down the hall to the family room with me close on her heels. Basil turned when he heard us enter, and my mom grabbed her chest before blurting, “Good God Almighty.”
“Nana! Nana!” Carlee yelled out.
“Hi, baby,” she greeted Carlee, then her head fell back as she looked up at the ceiling. “Lord, why did you send this man in my daughter’s home? You know she ain’t gon’ be able to resist bouncing on this man’s lap by the end of the week!”
“Mommy!” I exclaimed, my mouth hanging open in pure shock and embarrassment. I swear, I’d never heard her speak this way until I got older. She raised me with class and grace, but she was the complete opposite of me. My eyes went to Basil, who tried to hide his smile, but was failing miserably.
“Please excuse her. She doesn’t know the meaning of a filter.”
He chuckled that sexy-ass, manly chuckle. “It’s quite alright. How are you doing, ma’am? Basil Cassidy—the kids’ new manny.” He placed Carlee on her feet as she ran to my mother and extended his palm out to her. She took it with a small smirk on her face.
