Chapter 36
We have a problem.
On Saturday, a few days after the conversation with Danielle, the children and I were store-hunting. We’d just toured the space that would be perfect for a pharmacy. The building sat near Sherman Oaks, where many affluent people of color lived, and on a street full of cafes and small businesses. The nearest retail pharmacy was five miles away. I walked around the space smiling while the twins bounced around the vast space. This would be my legacy. I’d put off my career to be there for my family long enough. My husband had been living his dream for our entire marriage. He had a phenomenal career, except for a Super Bowl ring. His multi-million-dollar salary continued the generational wealth his mother had already begun to build through her stylist career. Carter had been generous with his blessings. He helped my brother and sister with business ventures, paid off my parents’ home, and invested in his younger brother’s club, which opened last year in Dallas. It was my turn, and I’d finally found a place for Like Home Remedies. I couldn’t wait to show him. Maybe then he would see and understand my vision.
“Elle, what do you think?” I asked my daughter, whose maturity was otherworldly. We’ve had real conversations about life since she was three. “What do you think?”
She walked to me while Ethyn ran in circles around the large space, enjoying the open room to run. “I love it, Mama. It’spretty here. This is the one.” She pulled her cell out of her back pocket.
“Calling Daddy?”
Carter is in Seattle for a game tomorrow.
She grinned, flashing dimples she inherited from me. “Yes. He might be taking a break.”
“He might.” I hugged her before walking to my realtor, who kept a respectable distance at the front of the property while I surveyed the space.
Ms. Taydra, the older black woman, smiled as I approached. “What do you think?”
“I think I need to speak with my husband and let him check it out before we sign papers.” I grinned. “After weeks of searching, I finally found the spot.”
Ethyn rushed to me, more handsome than his father. “Mama, can we get boba tea after this?”
“Say, ‘excuse me.’ I’m talking,” I reprimanded.
“Oh...excuse me...can we get boba tea?” Ethyn could be singularly focused. Whatever he wanted, he wouldn’t stop until one of us gave in, which was usually me. Carter had a firmer hand with him, and he very seldom tried his father.
“What needs to happen while I’m talking?”
He sighed and spoke in a monotone, “I need to say ‘excuse me’ and then wait for your answer.”
“Did I say you could speak?”
“No, ma’am.” He waited a beat, “Can I please have some boba tea?”
This child. “We need to eat lunch.”
“Can we find a place that has boba tea, too?”
“Can I finish with Ms. Taydra?”
“Yep. Would you like to have lunch with us?” He gave Ms. Taydra a charming grin, looking so much like Carter.
She smiled. “Such a handsome boy. I already have lunch plans. Thanks for inviting me.”
“No problem.” He ran back to the other side of the room, where he had left his cell on the floor. An iPhone that I didn’t want either child to have yet, that Carter insisted on so that they could call him at any time. He usually won the battles with the children, mainly because he could fight better than me. I usually gave in to his demands. It’d been easier that way. For the most part, he’d been an easy man to follow.
“As I was saying, I’ll see if my husband can stop by once he comes back in town. I’m sure we’ll be on the same page.” It’d been a month since the ESPN party. School and the football season were in full swing, and we were a busy family again after a restful summer. He and I seemed to have found our groove again. I decided to focus on the present and future, not what Carter had been doing and with whom before we saw Grey again.
“Mama? Daddy wants to speak to you.” Elle walked over, holding her cell up. She had Carter on FaceTime. He appeared to be in a hotel suite, fully clothed in a jersey and joggers, in bed.
I walked away from the realtor. “That’s not you to be in bed in the middle of the day.”
“It’s a raging storm here. Tried to practice, but there’s only an outdoor camp for the visiting team. So, we’ll have a late-night practice.” His gaze caressed me. “We need to FaceTime more. I miss you. Can’t wait to get home and fuck you senseless.“
His deep voice echoed in the quiet space. I quickly muted my cell, went to the back of the store, then unmuting and whispered, “You do know I’m with the children and my realtor?”
He grinned. “So? Married people fuck. In fact, according to the bible, we’re the only ones who should be fucking.”
