Chapter 5
I told myself to stay away from him, but here he was, sitting on my porch. To make matters worse, my dog, whose sole purpose was for protection, was cozied up with him. I was confused by Que’s behavior but also intrigued. He’d never been this way with anyone, let alone a complete stranger.
“I’m not dating right now,” I responded.
“Who said anything about dating? We’re just two adults who live across the street from each other, getting to know one another.”
“Isn’t that dating?”
“I wouldn’t call it that, at least not initially.”
“I’m a divorced, single mother with trust issues. I’m sure you can find someone else in the neighborhood to befriend.”
“I’m sure I will at some point, but tonight, right now, it’s you who I want to befriend. Are you open to that?”
His eyes looked sincere, and since he and Herqueles were besties, I might as well follow his lead.
“Sure.”
“Good. Tell me about Naryah.”
“I’ve already told you the basics.”
“Tell me the complicated or complex.”
“You’re nosy.”
“Not really, but I am curious about you.”
“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m a pretty boring person. I work, take care of my son, and stay out of the way. My circle is small because I learned the hard way not to be so trustworthy. My sister is my best friend, and my mother and I are close.”
“What happened that caused you to lose trust in people?”
“My ex-husband happened. While we were married, he managed to fuck the only two friends outside my sister that I had.”
“Damn. I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“I wasn’t expecting my friends to fuck my husband, but hey, shit happens.”
“What they did was wrong as hell, but don’t let it taint your view of others before you get to know them.”
“It’s safer that way.”
“Possibly, but I guarantee there are some amazing people right here in Black Elm who would prove to be great friends, if given the opportunity.”
I shrugged. “I’m not interested in finding out.”
He nodded and changed the subject. “How old is Keelan?”
“Ten. He’ll be eleven on the first of July.”
“Really? My nephew is ten. His birthday is next week. Maybe I can introduce them.”
“Like his mother, Keelan doesn’t have many friends. I’m sure he’d like that. Did your nephew go to Black Elm Elementary?”
“No. He goes to Black Elm Academy. I’m pretty sure my brother told me it’s a private school.”
“It is. Keelan recently got accepted and will start there in the fall.”
“Oh, I definitely gotta make the connection. I think you’d like my sister-in-law. She’s good people.”
“If you say so, but I’m not—”
“If I’m going to connect Trey and Keelan, you have to meet Kindra and my brother, DJ, . . . unless you’re one of those mothers who don’t meet the parents of the kids your kid plays with.”
“What did you say your nephew’s name was?”
“His name is Dennis, but he’s named after my brother, who is named after our father. We call him Trey.”
“Hmm. Keelan asked me if he could go to a birthday party for a boy named Trey. Does he attend the Black Excellence Summer Camp?”
“That sounds like something they’d sign him up for, but I honestly have no idea. I’m just the uncle.”
“I’m guessing you don’t have kids.”
“Not yet. Do you want more?”
I squinted my eyes at him because I thought his question was intrusive, but I answered him anyway.
“I did want more, but then I realized my husband was a narcissist. Keelan is almost eleven, and that would be a pretty big age gap.”
“True.”
“Plus, I’d have to get married again, and that sure ain’t happening.”
He touched his chest and let his shoulders and head fall.
“You’re breaking my heart.”
“How so?”
“I’ve already imagined you having my children. It’ll be hard to get that visual out of my head.”
I laughed. “You are too much.”
“That might be true, but I’m also honest. I think I’m gonna head home. I have an early morning meeting.”
“I thought you were retired.”
“Only from fighting crime. I bought that old boxing club in that plaza on Regency Street, and I’m in the process of renovating it.”
“Oh wow! That place has been there forever.”
“Yeah. The original owner passed away several years ago. The person who took over was his nephew or cousin, and he ran it into the ground, so I’m hoping I can bring some life back into it.”
“Do you have any boxing experience?”
“I was close to going pro before I decided to join the police academy.”
“Interesting.”
“You think so?”
“Very much.”
He stood, and Herqueles stood with him. All I could do was shake my head because my dog was doing the most with this man.
“I’m going home, buddy. Maybe your mama will let me sit with her again sometime soon,” he said as he rubbed Que’s head.
That damn dog had the nerve to whine, and I was close to telling Graham to take his traitor ass home with him.
“I seriously cannot with him. Let’s go use the bathroom.”
I stood, went down the steps and to the side of the yard. Surprisingly, Que acted like he knew who his mama was and followed. He emptied his bladder and was back on the porch next to Graham before I gave him a directive.
“Don’t get comfortable. It’s time to go inside.”
I opened the screen door and shooed Que inside. He had the audacity to hesitate until I snapped my fingers and pointed into the house. Once he was inside, I closed the screen door and he pressed his face against it. The smirk on Graham’s face let me know he found us humorous.
“What’s funny?” I asked.
“Nothing. German shepherds are great dogs once they’ve been trained. Que reminds me of Sampson, one of our police dogs. It took a while to partner him with one of the officers because he didn’t fuck with so many of them.”
“Yeah. Que is a great judge of character. He goes crazy when my ex-husband comes around. If I let him loose, he’d tear Victor to shreds.”
“Sounds like he might deserve it.”
“He most definitely deserves it, but he’s not worth it.”
I pushed away from the door to retrieve my empty wine glass and .22.
“I guess that’s my cue to leave.”
“I mean, you can stay out here as long as you want, but you’ll be alone.”
I opened the door and damn near tripped over Que, causing me to fuss at him under my breath as he moved away from the door.
“Thank you for letting me join you. I hope it’s not the last time.”
“You’re welcome. Good night.”
I didn’t address the last part of his comment, but I knew it wouldn’t be the last time. I’d probably come out here more often, hoping he’d join me.
“Good night.”
I slowly closed the door, secured the locks, and turned on the alarm. Que followed me down the hallway until we reached his bed, which was stationed between my and Keelan’s rooms.
“Good night, you little traitor.”
After a quick shower, I fell asleep with thoughts of Graham racing through my mind.
“Hi, Trey. I’m Keelan’s mom, Naryah. It’s nice to meet you,” I greeted.
“You too, Ms. Naryah,” he said as he shook my hand.
“Keelan tells me you invited him to your birthday party.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s on Saturday. Can he come?”
“I don’t think it’ll be a problem, but I’d like to talk to your mom or dad first.”
“My mom is over there talking to Ms. Taysia.”
I looked in the direction he pointed.
“Okay. Let her know that Keelan and I are waiting for her outside.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Come on, Keelan.”
I’d already signed him out, so we left the building and waited near the entrance. A few minutes passed as I listened to him tell me about this day. We weren’t outside long before Trey and his mother appeared.
“Hi! You must be Keelan’s mother. I’m Kindra.”
I took the hand she offered as I introduced myself. Apparently, she’d met Keelan already.
“Keelan is very excited about Trey’s birthday party. Are you sure it’s okay that he comes?”
“Oh yes, of course. Trey’s been talking about Keelan since camp started. Here’s the invitation.”
She dug into her purse, retrieved an envelope, and handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
“No problem, girl, and you’re welcome to drop him off and do errands, or you can stay. I know you don’t know us, so whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Actually, I recently met your brother-in-law.”
“Graham?”
“Yeah. He moved into the house across the street from mine a few weeks ago.”
Her eye widened, and she said, almost to herself than me, “Oh, so you’re his future wife?”
I frowned, confused. “Excuse me?”
She shook her head as if she were shaking her thoughts away. Her lips curled into a smile as she responded.
“Graham is my brother-in-law, and meeting you clears up a few things.”
“Oh, really? Like what?”
“I’d rather not say, but it’s nothing bad or anything you should worry about. I have to get going, but I hope to see you at the party on Saturday.”
“It was nice meeting you, and thanks again for the invitation.”
“No problem. It was nice meeting you too. Trey, let’s go.”
The boys had gone over to the grass and were running around, chasing each other. When Kindra called her son, they both came racing in our direction. We headed to our cars, and as soon as Keelan was secured in the back, he asked about the party.
“So, can I go, Mom?”
“You can go.”
“Yes! It’s at Arcade Universe, and it’s gonna be so much fun. Thanks, Mom.”
The excitement in his voice did my heart good. He unfastened his seat belt and awkwardly hugged me from behind.
“You’re welcome, Son.”
I hoped his excitement didn’t disappear when he realized I wouldn’t be dropping him off and leaving. I didn’t play about my son and needed time to get a read on Kindra and the people she surrounded herself with.
We arrived home fifteen minutes later, and Keelan ate a snack while I straightened my office. When he was finished, we took Que for a walk.
“Oh, Mom. Guess what?”
“What?”
“Trey goes to Black Elm Academy, so I’ll have a friend already when we start.”
I was already aware of this, but I acted surprised anyway.
“That’s great, Son. Does he like the school?”
He shrugged. “He didn’t say bad things about it, so I think so. It’s just school, Mom. It doesn’t matter if we like it because we still have to go.”
“All right, smarty pants.”
“Sorry. I was only being honest.”
“I know, Son, and I always want you to be honest with me. Hopefully, Trey can introduce you to other kids, and you’ll make a few more friends.”
“Ehh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s nothing, Mom. I just don’t need that many friends. One or two is fine.”
I nodded in understanding, and we walked in silence for a while. Que was on high alert because there were so many people out walking, some with their dogs, some without.
“Let’s hurry up and get him inside before he drags me down the street,” I told Keelan, and we picked up the pace.
As we neared our house, Que began to bark aggressively as he tried to pull away from me. I looked ahead and noticed we had a visitor who Que was not very fond of. I stopped walking to get him under control.
“Heel, boy, heel!” I shouted over his barking.
He calmed down and returned to my side but continued to growl.
“What’s he doing here?” Keelan asked.
“I don’t know. Let me get Que inside, and we’ll find out.”
By the time we made it in front of our house, Que was riled up again.
I didn’t bother trying to calm him because anytime Victor was around, Que was ready to attack.
I took him inside and closed the front door because he could very well bust through the screen.
He was still barking when I made it to the sidewalk.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Victor.
His car was parked in front of my house, and he was leaning against the front.
“Did you forget we have a son together?”
The muthafucka hadn’t seen our son in over two months and had the nerve to ask me if I’d forgotten. There was so much I wanted to say, but I took a deep breath and ignored his response.
“So, you’re here to see Keelan?”
“Ain’t that what I said?”
“Actually, Dad, you didn’t say that, not even when I asked you.”
He took a step toward Keelan while shouting, “Who the hell are you—”
I stepped between them. “If you want to hang out with your son, this ain’t the way to do it. How about you try picking him up on the days you're supposed to have him?”
“I told you I’ve been working so I can pay the fucking child support for the brat.”
“Keelan, go inside.” I waited until I heard the door close before I continued. “Listen, Victor. I’m not the same weak bitch you were married to. Don’t come to my house being disrespectful to me or my son.”
“You’re the reason he’s soft and acts like a little bitch.”
“Have a good night, Victor.”
I turned to walk away, and this nigga had the audacity to grab my arm. I quickly yanked it away and was about to get in his face, but Graham appeared behind him and looked like he was ready to go to war.
“Is everything okay over here, baby?” Graham asked.
Thankfully, the sound of Graham’s voice got Victor’s attention, causing him to turn around and miss my surprised expression regarding how Graham addressed me.
“Who the fuck are you?” Victor asked angrily.
I stepped past Victor and into Graham’s side, looping my arm through his, only for him to move that same arm and drape it over my shoulders.
“Everything is good, baby. This is Victor, Keelan’s father.”
Graham offered his hand to Victor and said, “I’m Graham.”
Victor looked at Graham’s hand like it was covered in shit and didn’t shake it, causing Graham to chuckle.
“I made dinner and was coming to see if you and Keelan had eaten yet,” Graham said.
“That’s so sweet, baby, and your timing is perfect. We just got back from walking Que. I’ll go get Keelan.”
Before I could make a move, Graham tightened his grasp on me, and I turned and angled my head to look up at him. His dreamy eyes connected with mine, and I would’ve lost myself in his had this been under different circumstances.
“Hurry back, and Que can come too,” he whispered before leaning down and pressing his lips against mine.
The kiss was soft, gentle, and quick, but it packed a punch. He released me, but I was momentarily in la-la land, not moving until I heard Victor’s voice.
“I came to take Keelan out to eat,” Victor said.
I turned to face him and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Victor. Keelan already has plans.”
“I don’t give a fuck about him having plans to eat with you and another nigga,” he spat.
“Come back on your scheduled day. Bye, Victor.”
“Bitch—”
“Slow down, nigga!”
When I turned around, Graham had Victor by the back of his shirt, and since the situation was handled, I went inside.