“My baby.” She hugged me tight, then kissed my cheek.
“Hey, Ma.” I grabbed the plant from my father and gave it to her.
The three of us walked further into the house until we were in the kitchen. My mom’s little ass dog ran up to me. I petted him, then sent his ass on his way. Two years ago, she just had to get this chihuahua that she named Paco. Paco liked to bite ankles and chase people out of the house. For a while, I had to stop coming over because I didn’t want to have to kick my mom’s dog.
“You brought me an African violet. What did you do?” My mom placed the plant on the counter.
“Why couldn’t I just want to do something nice for you?”
My dad shook his head as he pulled the bottle of scotch out of the bag and whistled.
“Yeah, something must be wrong. This bottle wasn’t cheap.”
He wasn’t lying, because that bottle cost me over six hundred dollars.
“I promise that nothing is wrong. I do want to talk to y’all about something, and I wanted a real meal.”
My mother sucked her teeth and went over to the stove. My father and I sat down at the small table in the kitchen.
“You would have a real meal if you stopped playing with your wife and got her back.” She rolled her eyes, then turned to stir whatever she had cooked.
My father smirked at me but didn’t say anything. I already knew how they both felt about the state of my marriage. They loved Janiyah just as much as they loved me. Sometimes I thought they loved her more.
“What’s going on, Son?” my father asked.
“I’d rather wait until we ate.”
Hard conversations always seemed to go better over a meal.
“The food is done anyway. You sure knew what time to show up, didn’t you?” my mom teased as she made our plates.
She gave my dad his food first, then mine, before she sat down to join us with her plate. My mouth watered as I eyed the smothered turkey wings, collard greens, and cornbread on my plate. A pitcher of homemade, sweetened iced tea sat in the middle of the table.
“Because I know how you get down.” I winked at my mother.
Anderson and Cheryl Smith were my heart. They were what people would consider couple goals. They had been married for thirty years but had been together for thirty-seven. I was their only child, and they were okay with that.
As soon as my father blessed the food, I dug in. I damn near moaned when the gravy hit my tongue. My mother knew how to throw down on some food. I made a mental note to stop by more often just to eat.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I knew my mother wasn’t going to waste too much time finding out what I wanted.
I chewed the food in my mouth, then placed the fork on the plate.
“Janiyah and I were named as the guardians of Mikayla. Of course, Janiyah didn’t hesitate to sign the paperwork, but I didn’t. I don’t know what to do. Not having kids is the reason why my wife and I aren’t together in the first place.” I scrubbed my hand down my face.
It was quiet for a few seconds as they both continued to eat. My mother was the first one to break the silence.
“You knew what you were getting into when you agreed to be her godfather. And, of course, Janiyah didn’t think twice about it. It’s what she wanted all this time.”
“I know you are probably nervous about it, but it’s your job as the godfather to look after her. Her parents trusted you and Janiyah with her because they knew you two were the best option,” my father added. “You’re entitled to feel everything you are feeling, but I know you will do the right thing.”
“And who knows? Maybe this is what you two need to get your marriage back on track,” my mother said.
Signing those papers meant being there for Mikayla because she would need me. It would also mean my wife coming home. At least I hoped she would come back home. I would hate to have to coparent with her. I wanted her under the same roof. If she came back, I would do everything in my power to show her that was where she was supposed to be.
“Thanks for understanding my feelings but also reminding me of my responsibilities. That little girl needs stability. I know there will be an adjustment, but it has to be done.” I stood from the table. “I need to see if I can catch the lawyer so I can sign the papers. It’s time to put my family back together.” I kissed my mom’s cheek and shook my dad’s hand.
“I’m proud of you,” my father said.
