“Are you going to be my daddy?”
I almost crashed with the swerve of the wheel.
“You already have a dad, Levi.”
“I know, but you’re cool.”
“Thank, you lil’ man. You’re cool too.”
For the remainder of the ride, we shifted the conversation. He was no longer grilling me about my relationship with his momma. Other than that, we chilled with the music.
“Good morning, Levi,” the teachers and administrators greeted him. He smiled like he was the man too. Chin up, chest poked out.
“I hear mom’s sick. You’re Mr. Kirkland? She told us that you’d be bringing him in.” one administrator asked.
“Yes, how you doing?”
“Oh, my God. Are you Rayzor the boxer?” one woman shouted coming out of the office.
Then a small crowd surrounded us, phone’s flashing.
“Yeah, that’s me, but I’m just trying to get Levi to class.”
“We love Levi. You see he’s already racing to his classroom.”
Damn right he was. I didn’t even notice him leaving because of all the people. I had to chase behind his lil’ ass. By the time I made it, the small crowd followed me to the room.
“Levi, aye, don’t run off without me knowing.”
“Yes, Rayzor. I just didn’t want to miss the bus.” He pouted.
I walked over to him, bent down and lifted his chin.
“You ain’t in trouble or nothing so chin up, aiight. I just need to be accountable of your whereabouts.”
“Yes, sir.”
I released him, and he went over to his cubby to put his things up.
“I know you’re in a rush, Mr. Rayzor. Is it possible that you can just take a picture with all of us, and we can send it to each other.”
“That’s cool. Ain’t no disrespect or nothing like that. I just need to make sure Levi’s good.”
“Oh, we understand. I admire you looking after him. It’s crazy that Ms. Eris never mentioned you. We didn’t even know she was in a relationship.”
I didn’t acknowledge that shit. If Eris wanted to tell anyone her private life, I’d let her do that. For now, they could speculate. If linking me with Eris and Levi was going to keep them on Levi during this trip, making sure he got back safe, they could say whatever.
I met with security detail outside and let Levi’s driver and teachers know he’d be following along. Gave Levi dap and made sure to scrap him into the car seat from Eris’s car. I didn’t let them mothafuckas leave until I was satisfied.
After pictures we headed inside. “How much is Levi’s daycare weekly?”
“Oh wow. It’s two-hundred ninety-two, but Ms. Richardson paid for the next two weeks.”
“Y’all take cards?”
“Ummm, yes we do.”
“I’m paying for the rest of the year.”
