“That’s your paradise. It’s yours to get lost in.”
“It’s my fuckin’ remedy to all the chaos.”
She nipped his chin. “It is.”
21
“Ernest!” Erys called from the side door.
“Remedy, I told his stupid ass about calling me Ernest. This nigga forgot who his daddy is. Moves me in here and thinks he’s my damn daddy. A nigga can’t eat a slice of cake, drink his coffee, and look at some soft features in peace?” Ernie fussed, scowling at her.
“Why are you looking at me like I did it?” Remedy asked, smiling at him which only made his scowl deepen. “I said we were getting food later. Why are you opening that box?”
“I want more cake and coffee.”
“That’s not why you’re scowling at me. No cake or coffee until later,” Remedy said, bumping him out the way with her hip.
“You getting thick. That means you in there calling him daddy. I know you did, I saw y’all all hugged up. Now that thieving nigga thinks he’s my daddy. I’m the daddy dammit. He doesn’t call me, I call him!” Ernie continued. “Erys!”
“Ernest,” Erys shouted back, trying to hide the laughter in his voice.
“Erys!” Ernie shouted. “I’m trying to eat cake with my baby momma. Hell, you want?”
“Come here!”
“You come here, nigga!” Ernie shouted back.
Remedy took his coffee in a to go cup and his slice of cake in a bag for later and walked away. “All this hollering is getting on my nerves. Come on, Ernie, before you miss out on something.”
Ernie watched Remedy walk away, huffing and puffing, and followed her out the side door. He trekked past the first garage to the second where his car was parked. He stopped, took in the beauty of his car and placed his hands on his hips.
“Y’all did this for me?” Ernie posed.
Remedy shook her head. “All Erys.”
“Get your ass over here and hug me, boy,” Ernie sniffled.
Erys chuckled, happy he could do something to make his father view him in a different way. Hugging Ernie, he kissed his cheek, earning him a shove.
“Now that’s enough, nigga,” Ernie grunted. “Remedy, go take your sweet self inside and get my cane, my hat, and put yourself in a pretty dress. We going for a ride.”
“First of all, old man, don’t get carried away. That’s my woman, watch yourself. I’ll get your cane and all the other bullshit you need to leave the house. What she has on is fine. Y’all get in the car,” Erys said, pointing to the car and getting the things Remedy already had staged for them to take.
Inside the Cadillac with the top down, the trio rode through Cashmere Lakes until they reached the neurologist’s office. Ernie enjoyed the ride so much he dozed off to sleep. Erys eased into a parking spot, turned around and gently tugged on Ernie’s earlobe.
“You keep touchin’ on me, I’m going to turn your ass into my bitch. I heard them young niggas going for anything these days. Leave me alone now, boy,” Ernie grumbled, snapping his teeth at Erys’ finger.
Remedy got out, shaking her head and muffling her laughter. “Come on, Ernie. We’re going to lunch after this.”
Ernie huffed, got out of the car, and followed the pair into the doctor’s office. “Lakeview Neurology and Comprehensive Care. Fuck we here for?”
Remedy left Erys to do the heavy lifting and she went to sign Ernie in.
“I told you we were having a checkup,” Erys said, sitting down. “Don’t show your ass in these people’s office.”
“Why are we here? You getting checked out? The military didn’t put no papers on you?” Ernie asked, leaning in and peering at his son. “I know your ass is insane as hell.”
Remedy sat by Erys and motioned Ernie to sit by her. He sat and huffed. The receptionist wasted no time getting them into the back room. It was Remedy’s whisper to her when she signed him in.
