He’s only coming to help. He’s just the muscle.
My heart flutters when I arrive and see him leaning against his car, waiting on me. He didn’t check in with me or let me know he was here. He’s just here.
I don’t go over. I step out of the van and open the back.He pushes off his car and follows me, immediately grabbing two tables.
I look at him, open my mouth, then think better of it and head toward the building. I’ve been here before, but I don’t know if they’ve made any changes.
We walk in silence through the building and into the giant space I have for my mommy and me class today.
“Damn,” Javonte says, whistling.
I laugh. “Yeah.”
“I see why you called me.”
I look at him, scared to say anything, because my truth might just fall out.
He sets the tables down and starts setting them up, not just dropping them and leaving them there. I start to tell him where to put the next table, then stop.
It’s already where it’s supposed to be.
By the time I turn around, half the room is already done...I didn’t have to tell him anything.
I’m gathering the paint when he comes back outside, and he takes the boxes from me. Our hands brush, and I pull mine back a little too fast.
He looks at me, smiles, and carries them inside.
I turn back to grab another box, but there’s nothing left but the can of paintbrushes.
He takes everything in.
Inside, he moves like he’s done this before, setting everything in place before I can even think to ask
I stop and stare at him.
There’s nothing for me to say.
“You good?” he asks once everything is completely done.
I look around. “Yes. I am. Thank you.”
“It’s going to be about two hours, right?”
I tilt my head and look up at him, stretching my neck to take him all in. He expects nothing. I can see it in his face.
He’s just here to help.
“Yeah. Two hours.”
“All right. I’ll be back.”
And then he walks out the door.
The door closes behind him, and the room settles back into silence.
I stand there for a second, taking in the setup. Everything is done. Tables lined up, chairs in place, easels set, water cups filled. I glance at my watch and blink.
I’m early.
