Page 37 of Beacon Grove Chronicles 1: Hassan & Sylvia

“Are you only nice to us cause you’re trying to get with my mama?”

“Nah. I’ve known your mama before y’all were born. We had a bond as friends and it’s growing into something more than that. Why would you think I wouldn’t rock with you just cause of who you are?” I was heading to Pizza House because now my ass was starving since I hadn’t met Sisi for lunch today.

“My dad.” And now this nigga had to feel me. “He said that. Well he wasn’t that nice when he said it and I got mad. I told him not to talk to about her like that but he didn’t care. He never does.”

Hacky sack it is.

I wanted to ask questions but I didn’t know what the fuck was appropriate and what crossed lines.

“How does it make you feel?”

“Angry. He was mad that I stood up for my mom and for you. Whenever you hang around us you make sure to give all of us your time. We play the game and stuff and even though you like my mom you don’t spend all your time with her when we’re around.”

“You think I’m neglecting your mama?”

“No, not like that. I mean I know y’all have more time together when we go to bed or when we are at dad’s but I mean while we are up. My dad spends a lot of his time out with his friends or arguing with Ms. Bianca. I can’t even do something fun most of the time because I’m watching my sisters.”

He was painting a fucked up picture cause he shouldn’t have to babysit his sisters since their dad didn’t want to be a father. “Even when your dad is home or gone?”

“Yeah. Ms. Bianca says that she needs a break and that she didn’t sign up for three kids. So she will go in her room or go for a walk or something and we play with the baby. She’ll take our phones too but I try not to complain about it too much.”

I could tell he was frustrated because any kid, a teenager at that, was going to be attached to their phone. I hated that Sisi thought everything was cool and they didn’t reach out because they were having fun with their dad. But in actuality they’d been unable to let her know what was up because of the two trifling people they were court mandated to spend time with. If Sisi knew how ol’ girl was treating the kids she would go for round two with her ass

“You know talking to your mama about this is the right way to go, right?”

He sighed like the world was on his shoulders. “I know I shouldn’t keep secrets but then they get to arguing and I don’t feel like being the cause of that.”

We’d reached the Pizza House and I put the car in park but didn’t make a move to get out of the car.

“But you know it wouldn’t be because of you, right? Grown ups have problems they need to work out. You being honest with your mama or your daddy is never a problem.”

I wasn’t really honest about that daddy part but I had to make myself look unbiased despite being biased as a muthafucka.

Dorian was nodding like he wasn’t quite sure that I was being truthful but I hadn’t given him a reason to doubt me. Dave was surely talking shit to him about me because he’d more than made his anger at Sylvia moving on apparent to anyone who would listen. But his son even knew not to listen to that shit.

“Hold your head up, young king. We not about to mope and stress about anything that is above your pay grade. You gotta worry about doing well in school, your chores and shit and being nice to your sisters. Listening to your mama and being a good person. Your wanting to protect your mama and keep the peace shows you’re already doing what you need to. You got a good heart just like your mama, Dorian. Let the adults handle the adult shit ‘cause at the end of the day you’ve got all of us in your corner.” I tapped him playfully on his shoulder and he got a hopeful look on his face.

“You too?”

“Hell yeah. I already got a list of mutha— a list of people I got to check bout you being out here by yourself. And as much as I hate to say it, your dad is on it. He should’ve made sure you were good before he left you.”

Dorian only nodded but I could tell he was hurt. “I know. I didn’t feel like dealing with him though. I would’ve walked home if need be.”

“I doubt anything crazy would happen to you in the Grove but better safe than sorry, feel me?”

He grinned showing that he was in that space between child and teenager. It was clear that my words made him happy.

“I feel you.”

“Cool. I don’t know about you but I’m starving. I’m about to smash a Beacon and probably a side of potato skins by myself. You ready to eat?”

“Yes sir.”

“And I’m about to introduce you to my cousin, Cass. You need a shape up cause we can’t let your hair lessen your fly, feel me? He’ll get you right.” I tried not to overstep my place but I’d noticed Dorian hadn’t had his hair cut in the last few weeks. At his age I knew how it could mess with his confidence if he didn’t feel his best and I wasn’t about to let him feel that.

“My dad normally cuts my hair.”

“That’s what’s up. Good bonding time with his son. We’ll have Cass do something light. If he wants to get mad about it, he can step up. Ask your mama if it’s okay and see what she says.”