“Is it good, CJ?” I cooed at him.
He didn’t even take his eyes off the television. Paul glanced down at him and shook his head. “He’s just like his daddy was at this age. He wouldn’t pay anybody any attention if food was in front of him.”
Crystal glanced at Paul with a smirk. “Leave my baby alone. Formula and baby food aren’t doing the trick anymore.”
“I wonder why that is.” Paul stared at her accusingly.
Crystal’s only response was to roll her eyes. She knew it was her fault. As soon as a baby turned four months old, she started letting them sample mashed foods and yogurts. One thing Crystal was going to do was fatten up a baby.
The front door opened, and Blade, followed by Sara and Cara, walked through. There wasn’t a set time for parents to collect the kids, but normally, as soon as they were off work, they came by.
“Hey, Mama,” Blade said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He made his way toward Paul with a closed fist. “What’s up, Pops?” He paused as his eyes zeroed in on the chicken wing in CJ’s hand. He whipped his head back to his mother. “Mama, a chicken wing? Seriously?”
She waved her hand, adjusting Jasper in her arms. “Boy, hush. Last time I checked, I’ve been a parent for almost thirty years. I know what I’m doing.”
“See, that’s why nobody can eat anything around his chunky butt. Little dude be trying to wrestle me down anytime I have a plate of food.”
We all roared with laughter because we knew he wasn’t exaggerating. It wasn’t just CJ, though. All the Romano kids had healthy appetites, especially Cara’s kids. She could eat like someone twice her size, and her children were the same.
Cara walked over and plucked Miracle from her swing before taking a seat beside me. “Cameron, shut up. Ain’t nothing wrong with him having a growing appetite. It just means he’s going to grow up big and strong.”
“Says the woman who’s raising a bunch of Sumo Wrestlers in training.”
He ducked when Cara lobbed a remote at him. “I done told you and Christian to stop playing with my babies.”
“Alright, I’ll chill.” He laughed. “Let me collect my kids and get out of here.” He stepped over to the entrance of the hall where the playroom was. “Girls!” he shouted.
The sound of tiny feet rapping against the floor came soon after. “Daddy!” they shrieked as they practically tackled him. After hugging and kissing each one of them, he made his way over to CJ. When he tried to lift him from the recliner, he squirmed away.
Blade pulled back with a frown. “That’s how you doing me, CJ?”
Just like he did to me, CJ ignored him, focusing on the television. Blade tried once more, but this time, CJ got pissed and let out an angry cry.
“Boy, leave him alone. He’s not worried about you. CJ wants to chill with hisnonnoand watch his cartoons. Go on home. I’ll bring him later,” Paul said with finality.
Blade scoffed, shaking his head. “You know what? Go ahead and keep that little traitor. I know my girls would never.”
“We want to stay too, Daddy,” Naomi spoke up.
“Gigi made meatballs,” Abigail added, and Mari agreed.
Blade’s face dropped. Cara and Sara were roaring with laughter at his perplexed face. “None of your kids is messing with you!” Cara howled, making Miracle giggle as if she knew what Cara was talking about.
Blade nodded, shrugging his shoulders. “That’s cool. I’ll just go home andmesswith their mama.” He turned around. “Call me when they're ready to come home,” he said over his shoulder and made his way out the door.
“Just nasty,” Cara spat. After bouncing Miracle on her lap, she turned to me. “How was your first day back?”
“It was good. I had to get back into the rhythm of things, but once I did, it was smooth sailing from there.” I paused to look around and noticed that Paul and Crystal were both occupied. “I need to ask you for a favor,” I said in a low voice.
Cara’s face scrunched up. “This seems serious.”
“It is.”
Ever since that night I asked about Cody, Tech’s nightmares started up again. I didn’t bring it up because I could tell he was embarrassed. I hated this for him. Cody was a trigger. He needed closure on this.
I knew the only two people who could help me were Cara and Sara. I needed to try and find out what happened to him. I knew it was a slim chance that the girls would find anything, but I had to try. This would forever haunt him. I knew he said people said the disciples were told to kill Cody, but I just didn’t want to believe that a young man disappeared, and no one paid for it.
“Let’s step outside and talk.” Cara returned Miracle to her swing, motioning for Sara to follow us.
