Page 113 of Senior

I laughed. “He sure can. Might give Smoke a run for his money.”

She giggled. “They are such sweet kids, Stanley. Oh, I just know I’m gonna fall in love with them in no time.”

“I’m already there, Ma.”

She smiled. “I know. I see it in you. Look at you getting second chances at the life you originally wanted with that woman. I need you to hurry up and propose. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out on the secret.”

I shook my head. “Now, Ma. I’ve never known you to have loose lips.”

“I don’t. I just want her to say yes this time. I mean, you two live together and are adopting children, she better say yes. I’m about ready to get my belt out on both of y’all at this point. Been stressing an old woman out all these years. Y’all make me sick.”

“Well damn, Ma. Tell me how you really feel.”

She gave a side eye. “Seriously, Stanley. I’m happy for you, baby. If only your brother could get his shit together.”

As though we spoke him up, Blake came over, sipping a beer. He plopped down between us, draping his arm around both of our necks.

“What are y’all over here talking about?” he asked, slurring slightly.

“You need to go sleep that shit off,” Mama said.

“I’m good, Ma. I’ma head out in a minute anyway.”

“Mmm hmm.” She removed his arm and stood to her feet. “I’ll be back.”

She walked away, leaving the two of us alone. Blake moved away from me and took a sip of his beer while looking out at the family. He hadn’t been himself since Jeanie went around his ass and was granted her divorce. His dumb ass thought if he didn’t sign the papers, he’d force her to come back.

She was crazy to let that shit go on as long as it did. I think she got a rise out of making him suffer. The nigga was literally begging and crashing out, yet still not doing right by her. She finally put her foot down and stopped playing games. They had been officially divorced for three months now and it was finally hitting him that she wasn’t coming back.

“You were right,” he finally said. “About everything you ever told me about getting my wife back. I fucked around and lost the best thing that ever happened to me. I let my ego and pride get the best of me.”

I didn’t say anything, just looked at him.

He sighed heavily. “I’m gonna get my shit together, Stanley. Shit, the way your son been trying to get me to go sit on that lady’s couch…” He chuckled. “Can you see me in therapy?”

“Your ass needs it. That ego and pride of yours will be your downfall, Blake. You’re my brother and I love you, but you been wrong a long time, man. I’m nowhere near perfect, but I’m man enough to admit when I fucked up. I’m even more of a man because I know how to apologize when I’ve wronged someone. You hurt that woman. You played in her fucking face for years with different women and she still held you down while you were embarrassing her.

“You withheld divorce to make her miserable because you couldn’t handle her finding a fucking backbone. I’ve been telling Jeanie to leave your ass since we were in our twenties. You been on that same bullshit for almost forty years, Blake. You have to grow the fuck up. It might be too late to get your wife back, but it’s never too late to be a decent human being. Be a father your kids can be proud of. A grandfather your grandkids can look up to and respect.”

He nodded. “I am… I’m gonna work on it. I just want her to forgive me and know I’m sorry.”

“Words mean nothing if your actions ain’t shit.”

“You right.” He sniffled and looked at me. “I’m happy for you and Steph, Stanley. I’ve seen the work you’ve put in to be a better man and I admire that, little brother. One of these days, I’ma be like you.” He gave me a drunken kiss on the head and stood to his feet. “I’m about to head home and sleep this off. Congratulations on the family.”

“Thank you.”

He saluted me and walked off toward the gate. I shook my head. He talked all that shit when I was trying to give him the game, now look at him wishing he’d listened.

“May I speak with you for a moment, Mr. Dillinger?”

I looked up to see Shelly standing next to my seat.

“Sure thing.”

She copped a seat and smiled as she looked out at the scene before her.

“I’ve worked with these kids for the last two years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so happy,” she stated. “I have no doubt that this was the right choice… the only choice for them.” She looked at me. “I trust that you and Ms. Stephanie will take good care of these children and never let any harm come to them again.”