“I know. I wish things wasn’t like this. I don’t know anybody that has to sneak to see their family. She knows how I feel about wanting to hang with you. Of course, she says you’re not welcome. I just wanna come stay with you.”
I pulled him into my side.
“I know, Maleek. I’m trying to make this shit right without getting you caught up. It’s a right and wrong way to do things.”
“I know.”
I looked at my watch. We still had a little time together.
“You hungry?”
His mood chippered. “I could eat.”
“Come on then.”
We loaded up the car with his bags. He hopped in the front seat, fastened his belt and was ready to ride out. This was the shit I looked forward to despite how the fuck we had to do it.
“Hook ya phone up. Let me see what you been listening to,” I told him while backing out the driveway.
If I could keep Maleek away from the streets, away from the shit with my mama and I, I’d be good. I want to keep him pure from all the bullshit. But he has a life to live too. Influences at school, people around him. I don’t want him following any of the paths we’ve did. I want him to have a fair life.
It’s crazy how life resumes normally after having one of the best times of your life. I had more mimosas and clubs to last me for a while. My girls don’t know how much that meant to me.
Between getting myself together for work, my son not wanting to get up and my sister in her rampant teenage phase, I worn out before 8 a.m. Still, I had to pull it together
I felt replenished the entire weekend until work had me tired.
The workday was packed. A blur. I barely made it.
I was running out the office when I stopped at the bathroom to make sure my makeup was still covering the hickey Rayzor left on my neck.
“Let me touch this up,” I murmured, tracing my fingers over it.
As I blended concealer, I thought about how he put me through the mattress, tables, chairs, shower and everything else before stealing off into the night like a thief. He left money on the nightstand, a black car and security at my disposal.
We didn’t run in the same circles, so the chance of running into him again was slim to none. That’s for the best because the things I did to that man– a complete stranger goes down in my books. It was something about Rayzor, cold and off-putting to the world, but he was gentle and soft with behind closed doors. Maybe it was part of the plan, either way, I had a time.
He left an impression.
I drove in a daze to my son Levi’s school. By the time I realized what was happening, I was pulling up.
My baby was so happy to see me as he ran into my arms.
“Ma!” He cheesed hard.
I picked him up, raining kisses on his cheeks. “Hey, baby. I missed you. Hope you had a good day.”
“Miss you too.”
“He did so good, Miss Richardson,” his teacher said. “We have a field trip coming up. Hopefully, you can chaperone. You know we’d love to have you.”
“Get me the details, and I’ll see what I can do.”
My life was busy with Levi and Erin. My job was weekdays. I had weekends off that I dedicate to family. I’m ashamed to say I don’t always show up for things at his school like I should. I try. I really do.
It stings when I decline things. I make the big events and where I can’t, my girls got me. Still… sometimes I think his school judges me, even when they say they understand.
I remember the first time I couldn’t make it to chaperone, and my baby was looking forward to it, I cried. That stuck with me.
