The Deed to a Gangsta’s Heart

Chapter 28

28

R emedy

August

I looked around at what me and Callie had gotten done so far in her classroom. Words couldn’t express how proud I was of her. It was like a full circle moment for us getting ready for her first year as a kindergarten teacher… in this same classroom where everything started for us. She proved to me she was a safe space for me, and I thanked God for that every day because not all men were blessed to have that.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off her as she hummed and cut the numbers she planned to string along the wall. A content smile was on her face. I had no idea things would turn out like this when she made it back home, but I was glad they did.

When she was satisfied with the progress we made, we left for lunch. I pulled her in front of me as we looked over the menu. We’d chosen what had to be the best place for burgers and milk shakes— A Good Burger . They didn’t have inside seating, so the order windows were always crowded. There were four round tables in front of the order station, and they were almost always full. Most times when we came, we knew we were going to have to eat in the car.

“What are you thinking about getting?” she asked me.

“Probably a double cheeseburger.”

“That’s it?” she asked me with a frown.

“Well yeah, because you’re going to want an order of cheese fries that you never eat all of, so I’ma have some of that. And a milkshake.”

Though she sucked her teeth, she smiled, because she knew I was right. “You swear you know me.”

“I do,” I confessed before kissing her temple.

“Wow. I knew it.”

It felt like déjà vu, but this time, Farrah had a smile on her face as she looked from me to Callie.

“Farrah.” I spoke.

“Hey.” She waved at both of us. “I always knew the two of you would get together.”

“Don’t tell me you’re another ex that thinks he was cheating on you with me, because if so—”

Farrah chuckled quietly as her hand lifted. “Look, I heard about what happened with Leyla. Even if I thought that, I wouldn’t say it out loud. But no, that’s not what I think.” Her eyes shifted to me. “I know you were faithful to me. I also knew you loved her as more than just a friend.”

“Well you knew more than we did back then,” I replied.

“That’s usually how it is. Sometimes it’s easier to see what’s there when you’re on the outside looking in.”

She gave us a genuine smile before walking away .

“I wonder what people saw when they saw us that we didn’t see,” Callie muttered.

“Doesn’t matter. We got the vision now, and I ain’t ever coming up off you.”

She turned in my arms and my hands lowered to her hips as we kissed.