“I know it may be hard, but give him a shot. You never know. He might have changed.”
“I guess so.”
“Come on. There’s Chloe’s bus,” I told him as we got out of the truck and walked to the corner to meet his sister. Just like Carsyn was excited to see me when he saw me, Chloe was no different. She ran to me, and I swooped her up. I was happy to be able to bring light to their otherwise gloomy situation.
“What’s up, Loe-Loe?”
“Hey, Mr. B! Look what I made you.” She held up a colorful bracelet. “It’s a friendship bracelet.”
“You did? I’m honored to be your friend.”
She giggled. “Put it on. I made Carlee and Mommy one too! You too, Carsyn.”
I set her on her feet and put the bracelet on my wrist.
“Thank you, Loe-Loe.”
“Yeah, thanks, Chloe. You want to play hide-and-seek?” Carsyn asked as we walked back down the street.
“Yeah, but you’re it this time.”
“Aht aht. Y’all know what time it is. Do y’all have homework?” I asked.
“No,” they said simultaneously.
I chuckled. “A’ight. Then I’ll be it.”
“Yayy!” Chloe yelled in excitement as I opened the door.
“Y’all better go hide because I’m only giving y’all twenty seconds to be ready or not.”
They dropped their backpacks and took off running. I laughed as I began the countdown.
I was in the kitchen,finishing up with dinner. I decided to cook early since the kids would be leaving this weekend. I stirred the pot of yams when I heard the front door alarm go off, indicating Alicia’s arrival. Since the kids loved chicken so much, I decided to make soul food: baked mac, greens, candied yams, potato salad, dressing, and fried chicken.
“Damn! It smells good up in here!” a voice not belonging to the woman of the house exclaimed. I turned from the pot and saw a light-skinned version of Ms. Anika and Alicia walking intothe kitchen. “Well, hello. You’re the one that got it smelling like a beautiful holiday in here?”
I smiled. “That would be me.”
“Cousin Rae!” the kids shouted, getting up from their seats at the table and rushing over to her.
“Hey, babies! Oooh, I miss y’all so much!” She wrapped her arms around them just as Ms. Anika, Alicia, and Carlee came into view.
“It smells wonderful in here,” Ms. Anika said, coming over to me. I gave her a hug as she kissed my cheek. “How are you, baby?”
“I’m doing well, Ms. Anika.” I extended my palm to whom the kids called Rae. “Basil.”
She smiled and shook my hand. “Raeley, but you can call me Rae . . . or yours. Whichever you’d prefer.”
“Rae,” Alicia reprimanded.
“What? You don’t want him,” Rae sassed. My eyes locked with Alicia’s, and she hurriedly looked away from me. I chuckled lightly as I approached her, and Carlee instantly reached for me.
“Baye-Baye, here.” Her little palms opened and closed until I took her into my arms, hugging her tight.
“Hey, Lee Bear. I missed you today.”
“Miss you,” she countered.
