Her smile faded just a little. “You good?”
Kids always knew. I nodded. “Yeah. Just going to spend some time with your uncles.”
She looked at me for a second before walking over and hugging me.
“Love you,” she said.
My throat tightened. “Love you too, KK.”
I kissed the top of her head and stepped back out before she could ask more questions. I grabbed my keys from the counter and walked out the house.
I sat in the driver’s seat for a moment before starting the engine, staring at our front door. My home was still standing… even though it felt like it had cracked wide open overnight. I pulled out of the driveway and drove for a few minutes before calling Kordai.
“Yo.”
“Where you at?” I asked.
“At Ma and Dad’s,” he said. “Why? I can slide back to my crib if you need—”
“Nah,” I cut in. “That’s cool. I actually need to see Ma anyway.”
He went quiet for a second.
“You sure? We can just go to my crib. You straight?”
I exhaled slowly. “…I don’t know yet.”
“Bet. Well pull up.”
I hung up and kept driving.
Every mile felt like distance from my life. I thought to myself that another man didn’t just appear out of nowhere. A gap had existed. One I helped create. That hurt almost as much as her betrayal.
My parents’ house smelled like a home cooked meal the second I opened the door. I walked straight toward the kitchen and saw my mama standing at the stove.
“Hey Ma,” I said.
She turned and smiled. “Hey baby.”
I walked over, wrapped my arms around her, and kissed her cheek. She squeezed me tight, rubbing my back.
“You look tired,” she said.
“I am and hungry.”
“Well good,” she replied. “You came at the right time. I’m almost done cooking. Kordai already tried to sneak something. He’s in the theater room watching a movie. Go on back there.”
“Bet,” I said, turning toward the hallway.
“Kairo!” she yelled, stopping me. I turned around slowly.
“Your daughter called me this morning.”
My heart dropped straight into my stomach. I opened my mouth to explain because I didn’t know what all Kennedi told her. I thought she didn’t hear us since she was sleep, but she raised her hand without even looking at me.
“Don’t,” she said softly.
I closed my mouth. She turned the stove down and faced me fully.
