I didn’t reply.
“If Raschad was in town, would you be yelling at him for fixing your car?”
Actually, I probably would have, but he didn’t need to know that. “That’s different.”
“How?”
“Because he’s my brother.”
“And I’m…?”
The pause stretched between us. “My friend,” I finished quietly.
“Correct. And friends help each other out when they are able.”
“I just... I need to feel like I can pay you back somehow.”
His voice softened slightly. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“I know you think that. You won’t take my money, fine. But I’m going to find another way to pay you back, and you don’t geta say in it.”
I could hear the smile in his voice when he responded. “Looking forward to it.”
I hung up, with my heart still racing. Micah looked over from the TV, where he had been watching cartoons the whole time.
“Was that Coach Julian?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Are you mad at him?”
I looked at my car keys, then at my son. “No. I’m not mad. We just disagree sometimes.”
“About what?”
“About helping each other.”
Micah nodded like it was obvious. “He helps everybody. That’s what men do.”
I tilted my head. “Who told you that?”
“Coach Julian.” His face lit up as he repeated it. “He says a man takes care of his family, keeps his word, and handles his business. Says if you promise something, you do it.”
I stared at my son, startled by how sure he sounded, and how much weight he gave Julian’s words.
“He says men don’t just think about themselves,” Micah went on. “Like when he drives me and Zhaire home, or makes sure the team’s got snacks and water. He said that’s what leaders do.”
My heart fluttered. “What else did he tell you?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Micah grinned. “That you’re pretty.”
My head jerked. “What? When did he say that?”
“Last week, when he dropped me off. I was taking too long and he said, ‘Never keep a pretty lady waiting.’”
I laughed. “Mhm. Did he now.”
Micah shrugged, already back into his cartoon. To him, it was nothing. To me, it was… dangerous.
