He snorted. “Good, because I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with a Pack ’n Play or floor mobile.”
“Who are you?” Cheyenne called from her seat.
Chris could see through the back windows that she was trying to contort in her car seat and stare at Lamont.
“I’m Lamont, Chris’s friend.”
“You look familiar.”
Even a five-year-old recognized the movie star?
“How can he when you just met him, Cheye?” Erykah went around to the passenger door and unbuckled her.
Ash must have seen, because she squealed like she wanted to be let out too. Erykah took her out next, then used one of those wrap things to secure the baby to her front.
Cheyenne came around to the back of the car and squinted at Lamont. Then she reared back and gasped. “You’re Mr. Quick!” she shouted.
“Cheyenne, not so loud,” Erykah scolded.
“But, Aunt Erykah, he’s Mr. Quick.”
“Who?”
Lamont’s face flushed, and Chris burst out laughing. He’d never thought Lamont would ever look uncomfortable about a film he’d acted in. However, the movie had been considered a flop by box office standards, similar to Ryan Reynolds’s portrayal of Green Lantern. Lamont had played Mr. Quick, aka Tad Thomas, the man with super speed.
“It’s a movie I was in,” Lamont answered Erykah, then squatted before her niece. “I’m an actor. I’m not really Mr. Quick.”
“So you just pretend?” Cheyenne tilted her head to the side.
“I do.”
“Isn’t that lying?”
God bless Cheye.Chris couldn’t wait to tease Lamont later.
“No. Pretending is my job. So kids like you can have something to watch.”
Chris could tell Cheye was mulling all the information over.
“You get paid to lie?”
Lamont’s face flushed again, and it was all Chris could do not to add in a comment or two.
“Something like that,” Lamont muttered.
“I will pray for you,” Cheyenne said primly.
Erykah and Chris both laughed. Chris clutched his side, slapping a hand on Lamont’s back. “The things kids say, huh?” He huffed, trying to keep his laughter under control, but it was tough.
Chris glanced at Erykah to see her wiping tears from her eyes. She caught his gaze, and her grin widened.Kids, she mouthed.
He nodded.Cheyenne, he mouthed back.
He had never met a kid like her. Then again, probably most parents thought like that.
He blinked. Was Cheyenne like a daughter to him?
You do pick her up from the bus stop, feed her, wash her clothes, and put a roof over her head.
