Page 2 of Senior

I grabbed her wrists and kissed her palms. “You make me happy, baby. If you want me to leave Maddie, I’ll do that.”

She shook her head. “It’s bad enough we’re doing this, Stanley. She doesn’t deserve this. Both of us are wrong as fuck and you need to let her go if you’re gonna play with her heart. I think it’s best if we end this for good.” She leaned in and kissed me softly. “How about one for the road?”

I frowned. “I don’t like this shit.”

She rolled over on top of me, straddling my lap.

“I’ll make it worth your while.”

Like the sucker I was for her, I fell in line with her request. Maybe we were too old for this same song and dance, but I was living in the era of my shoulda, coulda, wouldas. I’d spent most of my life with this woman.

I’d never love another the way I loved her.

FOUR YEARS AGO…

“Baby! I’m about to go take my morning walk around the neighborhood!” Aaron called from the living room.

“Okay!” I yelled from the bedroom. “Breakfast will be ready when you get back!”

“I love you!”

“I love you too!”

I heard the door close as I finished taking the curlers out of my hair. After teasing my roots with my wide tooth comb, I gave it a good fluff. I smiled at my reflection. After breakfast, Aaron and I were going on a boat ride with a group of friends. I couldn’t wait to spend the day out on the lake, soaking up the sun, enjoying good drinks and good company.

Later, we had dinner plans. I had my own plans of how we were going end our night. Tomorrow we were spending the day with our grandbabies, and I couldn’t wait to see them… and my annoying ass son.

As though I thought him up, my phone started ringing with a call from Deuce. I rolled my eyes as I walked out of the bedroom. Swiping the screen, I answered the FaceTime call.

“Yes, Stanley?”

He frowned. “Why do you act like that every time I call you, woman?”

“Because every time you call me, you be on that good bullshit. What do you want? I’m about to make Aaron and I some breakfast.”

“Damn, Ma. I can’t just call to check on you and tell you I miss you?”

“I just saw you yesterday.”

“And?”

“Oh my God. I miss you too, Deuce. I can’t wait to see your handsome face.”

His frown deepened. “Well, that wasn’t sincere.”

I sighed as I pulled a carton of eggs from the fridge.

“My first and only child, how can I help you?”

“I didn’t want anything for real. You were just on my mind. Shit came out of nowhere, so I had to check on you, make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, baby. Aaron and I are going on a boat later.”

“Where that nigga at?”

“Taking his morning walk. He should be back for breakfast soon.”

“Oh. Well tell him I said hey.”