Cyren was different from what he was used to. Her softness and optimistic spirit, even with her grief weighing on her, were admirable. She made him crave more of her, but also more of life.
Lisa immediately noticed the change in his face. “You really like her,” she said, softly.
Heavy faintly smirked. “Yeah... I can’t even lie. I’m feeling her.”
Mesha gasped dramatically. “Oh, my gosh. Did y’all hear that? He admitted it.”
“Man, shut up.” Heavy laughed.
“Nah, this is serious,” Mesha continued. “Because usually, women are just ‘cool’ and ‘straight’ to him.”
Lisa shook her head with a smile. “Leave him alone.”
She was just happy to hear him talking about someone. The last time he brought a woman around was before he went to prison, and she was now married with a few kids. Lisa felt it was only right to be in his business.
“What does she do?” Lisa questioned.
“She works at a bank,” he answered. “Real sweet. Got her head on straight.”
“Awww,” Mesha cooed. “Look at you. I love this for you, brother. For real.”
The corner of Heavy’s mouth slightly lifted. “‘Preciate that.”
“Mhm. You’re welcome,” Mesha said, standing from her chair.
“So, when do we get to meet her?”
Heavy barked out a laugh. “Slow down.”
“Oh, now we gotta slow down,” Mesha teased. “But you over there playing house and shit.”
“Lamesha,” Lisa scolded.
Mesha slapped a hand over her face. “Sorry, Mama! It slipped.”
“Yeah, and I’ma slip a belt over your ass. Don’t play with me.”
Heavy chuckled, knowing his mama didn’t play that. “Ain’t nobody playing house.”
“Mhm.” Mesha grinned. “Not yet.”
Heavy shook his head again while turning onto the street leading toward the community center. Despite all the teasing, the conversation had made his morning. It’d been a long time since talking about a woman felt light instead of complicated. And hearing his mama laugh, while Mesha joked around with him instead of talking about grief or stress, reminded him how much better life could get.
Lisa noticed how he’d dazed off, so she pulled him back into the conversation. “I’m proud of you.”
His eyes flicked toward the screen. “For what?”
“For trying.”
That one word carried more weight than everything else she’d said. He’d been trying to heal while trying to build on something that felt impossible, all while striving to become more than the streets expected him to be. It was a lot to handle, but knowing his mama was proud was all the motivation he needed to keep going.
Heavy swallowed hard through his emotions. “Thanks, Ma. You know I’ma always give it my all if nothing else.”
“And that’s all you can do,” Lisa gently assured him.
The conversation eased up after that. Mesha began discussing Thanksgiving plans and if Lisa was finally cominginto town sooner, like she had promised. Lisa complained about airports during the holidays while Heavy listened, chiming in here and there as he drove through familiar streets.
By the time he pulled up in front of the community center, the contractors were already there, walking around the parking lot. Heavy stared at the building for a second before climbing out of his truck.
