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“Ma made sure everything was ready,” I said.
Daddy glanced at her.
“I know she did.”
Ma sat down with a sigh and rested her hand on her stomach. Daddy reached over and took her other hand.
“You good, baby?”
“I’m fine. I’m just happy to have you home.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“I’m happy to be here.”
Maylee sat beside Ma, and I settled into the chair across from them. MJ stayed near Daddy, asking if he wanted anything to drink.
“Nah, I’m good, son. Sit down somewhere.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll let you know if I need something.”
MJ took a seat, and for a little while, we just talked. Maylee told Daddy about the decorations, MJ caught him up on what had been happening while he was away, and Ma reminded him that his physical therapist would be coming to the house five days a week. I knew having therapy at home wouldn’t make everything easy. Daddy still had a lot of work ahead of him, and there would be days when he got frustrated with how much help he needed. But he wouldn’t have to stay at the rehabilitation facility anymore. He could work toward getting stronger here, with us.
Daddy caught me looking at him.
“What’s on your mind, baby girl?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy you’re home,” I said with a smile.
He held out his hand, and I got up to take it.
“Come here and give your daddy another hug.”
I leaned down and wrapped my arms around him, and this time, I didn’t have to worry about visiting hours ending.
Chapter 14
MJ
Ihadn’t seen Penelope in almost a week, which was crazy considering she lived in the same building as me. Every time I thought I’d have a chance to spend some quality time with her, something came up at my parents’ house, and I went running back. Pops had only been home a few days, and we were all still getting used to his new routine. Between helping him get settled, making sure he had what he needed, and being there when his physical therapist came by, I hadn’t spent much time at my own place. I wasn’t complaining though. I’d rather have Pops home needing a little help than be back at that rehabilitation facility wondering when he was coming home.
But I missed Penelope, and I was tired of having to settle for talking to her on
the phone. When I finally got back to the building that evening, I went upstairs, showered, changed into a sweatsuit, and headed over to her apartment. I’d been to her door plenty of times, but I’d never actually been inside. Usually, she came to my place, or we went somewhere together. I knocked twice and waited.
“Coming!” she called from the other side.
A lock clicked. Then another. I heard a chain slide, followed by another click that made me look at the door a little harder. How many damn locks does she have? By the time she finally opened it, I was leaning against the doorframe with my hands in my pockets.
“Damn, you got a bank vault in there?”
“Hello to you too,” Penelope laughed.
“Hey, beautiful.”
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around my neck. It was like once I told this girl that I was feeling her and the feeling was mutual, we had been stuck on one another. It felt good loving on someone who returned the same energy. I pulled her close and kissed her before she could say anything else. She smelled good as hell, and when she smiled against my mouth, I realized just how much I’d missed being around her. Before all of this shit, she would come to my house and put her key to use so much that I could have sworn she started receiving mail there too.
