I nodded and released her hand. Like I said, I didn’t want to press her to open up to me. She hadn’t known me that long to let me see inside her heart, so I respected that she was hesitant to tell me whatever she was about to say.
We pulled up at the airport fifteen minutes later and filed out of the truck. We hurried through the revolving doors, then went through customs. We had gotten off to a late start, so by the time we made it past check-in, it was time to board the plane. Carlee had woken up and was determined for me to hold her the whole time. It made me feel good that the kids were being receptive to me. It was only getting me a step closer to their mother. I wasn’t preying on her, but I was praying for her. I knew I had the potential to be that safe space for her; I just hoped I wasn’t making a mistake by trying to pursue her while she was going through a heartbreak.
I was confident though—confident that I could heal her, whether she gave me her heart or not.
We arrivedin Kissimmee around eleven that morning. I had canceled the reservation she had at the Westgate hotel and copped us an Airbnb. She asked me how I was able to do that, and I reminded her that she synced our calendars, and it only made sense to get an Airbnb. She didn’t protest and was actually happy about being in a house instead of the hotel, although Westgate was one of the fanciest resorts in Kissimmee. I made sure to top it by getting one of the biggest homes I could find. It had eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, an arcade/game room, a billiard room, and a large chef’s kitchen. When the kids saw the house, they got excited when they learned there was a pool out back with a slide.
I wanted everyone to be comfortable and feel as if they were at home while we were here. Once we got inside, we allowed the kids to pick which rooms they wanted, and I chose the room next to the master suite, where Alicia and Lee Bear would be sleeping. Since we were going to be here for a week, I made sure I had groceries delivered so we wouldn’t have to eat out much.
Alicia met me in the living room while the kids went to put on their swimwear for me to take them out to swim.
“Thank you for this. You didn’t have to do this,” she said, smiling at me.
“I did. I want everybody to be comfortable. They’re used to being in homes, so I wanted to give them that experience.”
“How much did this cost? I know it had to set you back. I want to help.”
“No sweat off my brow, Ms. Alicia, and that won’t be necessary. I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. I know youbrought the kids to have fun, but I want you to have fun too. You deserve that.”
“I’ll try. Even when I’m not working, I’m working, so there’s that.” She giggled lightly.
“Not this week. Take a load off and recenter. You need that. Your job ain’t easy, Ms. Alicia. And with everything going on, you need this time to be free of stress. You already sent the emails out, so let’s focus on getting you back right and spending time with the gang.”
She stared at me with that light smirk on her face before saying, “Your job is to focus on the kids, not me, sir.”
“They are a part of you. I’m just the manny. They need you to be at your best so they can live their little lives and be happy and carefree,” I told her.
“You always like this?”
“Like what?”
“So . . . persuasive.”
I laughed. “Only when I know what someone needs and wants to be too stubborn to listen. Gotta get them to bend somehow.” I winked at her just as Carlee came sliding down each step, calling my name with her swimsuit in her hands.
“Baye-Baye, sim-soop!” I met her halfway and scooped her up in my arms, tickling her sides. I swore this little girl warmed my heart every time she said my name.
“You ready to splash, baby girl?”
“Yayyy!” She clapped excitedly as Alicia approached us.
“Let me help you get your swimsuit on, baby.” She took her from my arms and headed up the stairs.
“I’ll meet y’all out back.”
“Okay.”
“Aye,” I called out to Alicia. She turned and looked at me. “You make sure you put your swimsuit on too.”
“Oh, goodness. Okay, Mr. Bossy.” She laughed and continued up the stairs as I grabbed my luggage to take it up to my room. As soon as I was inside, my cell rang with my mom’s number on the screen. I quickly answered.
“Hey, Ma, we just landed. I was?—”
“Nah, nigga, this ain’t yo’ mama.” The voice on the other end made me stop what I was doing as a big smile spread across my face.
“Trayvon?”
“You already knowing, my nigga. I’m back, bitch!”
