“There’s something going on between you and the doctor,” his dad suddenly said, like he’d just found the last clue between him and solving the crime of the century.
“There is… a mutual interest.”
Monica shrugged and let out a sigh. “Well. She’s a wonderful girl. He could do a whole lot worse. Extremely bright, of course, and she’s got a kind heart. I picked that up right away. Plus, her kids are well behaved, so she’s got that in check.”
His dad put down his tablet and adjusted his reading glasses. “You want my two cents?”
“You know I do. They’re worth their weight in gold.”
“I am wise. Figure it out now. Let her know what you want, what‘cher thinking. The longer you wait, the more complicated and involved it’ll get and then she’ll give birth to two more kids and you won’t know how to tell her you were only asking for directions to the break room.”
The air in the room stopped moving as Monica leaned forward so her whole upper body was practically over the table. She tilted her head to the side and her mouth hung open. She looked back and forth between Rafe and Joe. The standoff lasted for what felt like a few weeks. Joe even picked up his coffee and took a long swig. Rafe knew better than to laugh. This was their game and he didn’t want to egg either side on. He edged back a little and kept his mouth shut. Finally his dad’s lips tipped up in a smirk.
“Fine. I had it pretty damn bad from the moment I saw her and I had to beg her to go out with me.”
“I mean! There is no need to lie, Joe!” Monica said at the top of her lungs before she sat down hard in her chair. She sucked her teeth before she turned her to attention to Rafe. “I agree with your no-good daddy. Be good to her, but be up front. If you think you want something more or something serious, tell her. There’s no point in playing coy. Not in this economy. Not with this administration. Don’t jerk her around, Rafael.”
“I won’t.”
“I mean it.”
“I won’t!”
“I know she’s got the nice house and the nice job and the cars, but the last thing any Black woman needs is a White man making her life more difficult. If you can’t be what she needs and what she wants, you leave her the hell alone.”
“You have my word.”
“Idon’t need your word. She does. Your daddy may be a damn liar, but he takes great care of me. I couldn’t ask for a better man. Even if he’s full of shit.”
Joe stood, making a dramatic show of setting down his tablet, and walked over to Monica. She pretended to fight him off as he planted kisses all over her forehead and cheeks for a few seconds before she caved and kissed him on his lips. Before his mom passed away, Rafe thought his parents had a good relationship, but looking back, his dad and his mom were more like two people dedicated to keeping a roof over Rafe’s head.
They never fought, but they were never like this. His dad had real affection for Monica, even when they were giving each other shit. They made a damn good pair and Rafe realized then, no matter how long he stayed working for Sloan, he still had to move on with his life and he didn’t want to go through that life alone.
Rafe stopped at Target to grab a little something for the girls’ first day of school, and more condoms, then headed back to the house. He expected all three of them to be on the floor in an exhausted heap after wash day brought them to their knees. Instead, he was drawn upstairs by the unmistakable sounds of laughter and Beyoncé.
“Hey!” Sloan said when he stepped into the hallway. She was sitting on the floor outside the girls’ room, her phone in hand.
“You survived,” he said.
“Xeni found a braiding salon on Wilshire that takes walk-ins. Got their hair washed and braided for a wonderful price. Then we went out to dinner. There’s a chicken quesadilla in the fridge for you.”
“Thanks. Uh, what’s all this then?”
“Couldn’t decide exactly what to wear on our first day, so the only logical solution was a fashion show.”
“Makes sense.” He peered around the doorway and sure enough, they’d set up all of their toys and stuffed animals to mimic the audience at a high-end runway show.
“Are you ready?” Avery yelled over the music.
“Oh, we’re ready.”
Avery jumped out from behind her door, wearing a tutu over leggings and a bathing suit, with three t-shirts around her neck. Her hair was wrapped in a silk scarf covered in unicorns, protecting her fresh style.
“Oh, I love it, darling!” Sloan laughed. “You’re giving me fashion, fashion, fashion.” Avery walked to the end of the carpet runway, struck a dramatic pose, then turned and strutted back. Addison came next, rolling off her bed in a gigantic wide brim hat that must have belonged to Sloan. She was wearing an Elsa Halloween costume and teddy bear slippers.
“Yes, mama! Work! Work! This is too much fashion.”
Rafe watched, a huge smile straining his cheeks until they ran out of steam and outfits. Sloan announced it was time for bed. He helped get the girls into their pajamas as they told him all about their day and the nice women, Sherri and Tina, who braided their hair. They piled into the bathroom for some routine dental hygiene when Avery tossed out one hell of an inquiry.
