Chapter 7
October
TWO YEARS LATER
Ihonestly don’t know when it happened, and I couldn’t tell you how it happened. All I know is that I was really feeling this girl. I looked forward to seeing Autumn and Auburn. I didn’t see them every day, but I often made up excuses to drop by and check on them.
Two-year-old Auburn was a bright spark in my day, and she learned quickly.
She already knew her colors, could count to ten, and spoke pretty well, although sometimes it was mixed with toddler gibberish.
She had a head full of curly hair like her mother, chubby cheeks, and heart-shaped lips.
She didn’t inherit Autumn’s ginger coloring though.
She was more of a honey color with red undertones as opposed to Autumn’s yellow ones.
I assumed she had gotten that from her father, whoever the deadbeat nigga was.
Autumn no longer talked about him, but I was certain he wasn’t a factor in their lives.
I happened to be parking, just returning home from a job I had to finish at the shop, when I spotted Autumn struggling down the steps with Auburn’s stroller.
I jumped out of the car and rushed to her.
“Baby girl, I got it,” I declared, grabbing the stroller and carrying it down the steps.
“I’m fine, October. I really am. I mean, it’s a struggle at first, but once I get it halfway down the steps, the rest is easy peasy.”
“How long have you been struggling with this stroller?” I set the stroller down on the sidewalk.
“Every time I bring it out.”
“Don’t do that shit no more. Call me, a’ight?”
She planted her fists on her waist. “I cannot call you for everything that I need. You’re always talking about calling you, but you’ve got a life to live, too, and I don’t want to infringe on that.”
I tilted my head and stared into her eyes. Licking my lips, I asked, “Did I say that it was an infringement?”
“No, but—”
“Ain’t no buts. I don’t have a problem expressing anything I feel. Besides, I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean that shit.”
Autumn’s head dipped down, and she bobbed it before looking back up at me. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
“Why are you so vested in what happens with Auburn and me? I mean, since the day I had her, you’ve made it your business to be here in some capacity.”
“I care about y’all,” I remarked nonchalantly with a shrug before I asked, “Where are you heading?”
“To the library to grab some books to read to her.”
“Mind if I walk with you?”
“You don’t have anything else to do?”
“Sit in front of the TV and watch a game. But I can do that any time.”
“Sure. Now are you going to answer my question?” she asked as she pushed the stroller down the street.
“I did. But if you’re looking for a more in-depth answer, I can give you one. My sister, Kember, went into labor, and no one was there for her. She had to make it on her own. None of us were around—not my brother, my dad, or me—not until later anyway.”
“What about your mom?”
The same lonely ache rushed through me at the mention of my mother.
“She died in a boating accident when I was two.”
Autumn stopped the stroller for a moment and looked up at me.
“I’m so sorry, October. That had to be hard on all of you growing up, and I cannot imagine how difficult that was for your sister.
I’m so grateful that my mom is here to give me guidance, encouragement, and support with Auburn.
I couldn’t do it without the people around me. ”
“Yes, you could. You’re strong.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I wondered what she was going through when she was alone.
“So, that’s why you’re here for me the way that you are?”
“Yeah. But over the last two years, a brother got a heart, Autumn. Naturally, I would start caring, and you two make it easy, big baby. Besides, I don’t think that any woman should go through that alone. I think every woman needs a good support system, no matter whether the father is there or not.”
“Yeah, I agree,” she replied softly. “You do realize that I have a support system though?”
“I do.”
“Then why do you still feel the need to come through?”
I eyed her up and down slowly and smiled. If li’l mama hadn’t figured out that a nigga was feeling her, then I guess I’d have to come straight out and say it.
“I like you, Autumn. Told ya ass that two years ago, but you put a nigga on ice. You’re chill as hell, funny, and kind. Then you’ve got the little princess. Who can stay away from her?”
She laughed before she turned her face up to the sun and smiled.
“What’re you thinking about?” I asked as we turned right down another street.
“The changing of the leaves, the cooler temps, boots and sweater weather, hot chocolate, and coziness.”
“So, it’s your favorite season, too, or you stole that idea from me?” I teased.
“Not even, sir. It just seems like the world slows down. During winter, the world comes to a standstill. In the spring, everything comes alive again with hope and anticipation of what’s coming next.
During the summer, it’s hot, crazy, and wild, and you never know what you’re going to get.
People are constantly on the go, living their best lives and staying in the streets.
But fall, . . . it’s majestical, calm, relaxing, and peaceful.
It’s the most beautiful season, along with spring. ”
“Nah, I get it. I totally agree. I love it for all the same reasons, but football is the main reason.”
“You’re a fan?”
“Damn straight. You’re not?”
She turned her lips down and replied, “I’ve watched it on TV from time to time with my dad, but I’ve never been to a game.”
“It’s a different experience in person than on TV. Much more entertaining and engaging, especially the atmosphere. How have you not been to a game when CSU has the greatest college team in the nation?”
Cherokee Springs was a large city known as the black mecca of the south, but with college town vibes mixed in because of Cherokee Springs University.
“Never had the chance. My life just went in a different direction, is all,” she replied and slowed up as we approached the steps to the library. She immediately tilted the handle of the stroller back toward her.
“Hey, let me grab that.” I moved her out of the way, grabbed the stroller, and carried it up the steps of the library.
“Thank you.”
I pulled the door open, and we headed inside the library’s cool interior.
Although it was early September, most buildings still had their air on because of the fluctuating temperatures outside.
One minute it would be hotter than hell, and the next minute a nice, crisp, cool breeze would blow through.
I followed Autumn to the children’s section of the library, where she parked the stroller. The minute the stroller stopped, Auburn’s eyes popped open, and she looked around.
I stroked Autumn’s finger, and she jumped with her eyes widened.
“No need to be startled, big baby. Get used to my touch.” When she blushed and didn’t say anything else, I asked, “Did you always read to her when she was in the womb?”
“I didn’t miss a single day. I sang to her too.”
“Let me find out your ass the next Jill Scott in these streets. I’ma have you crooning to a nigga day and night,” I whispered.
She laughed so hard that the librarian and a few patrons whispered, “Shhh!”
Auburn put her finger to her lips and whispered, “Shh, Mommy.”
I chuckled softly, and Autumn’s eyes widened. “Not you got my own baby turning against me, and you’re going to get me kicked out of here, October.”
“Nah, you’re gonna get kicked out. Ain’t nobody tell ya loud, country ass to be making all that noise,” I teased with a smirk.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
She moved around and looked at a few books just as Auburn started struggling to unstrap herself.
I jumped up from the seat that I occupied beside her and instantly unstrapped her.
The minute that I lifted her into my arms, she rewarded me with a smile that shot straight to my heart. “I wanna book, Toba,” she murmured.
“Mommy’s getting you some books now. But I can read you one while we wait, okay?”
She nodded and nuzzled her head against my shoulder. I patted her back while grabbing a book from the shelf.
“You’re a natural at that. You know that?”
I looked over at Autumn. She held two books in her hands, but she stared at me in fascination.
“Do you have any children?”
I chuckled softly. “Trust me, I’m nothing like your ex. If I had some jits out there, they would be with me all the time, if they weren’t living with me. But no. I don’t.”
“Most men aren’t comfortable with kids like that.”
“I’ve had more practice than most. Told you that my sister has a daughter, and my brother has six kids.”
“Really?” she whispered with wide eyes. “Is he planning to have more?”
“I hope not. He needs to settle down.”
“Is he not with the mother of his children?”
“He’s got three different ones. He’s got two boys with his first baby mama, three girls with his second, and a girl with his third.”
“He must have been very busy.”
“That’s not even the half of it. The first two kids are the same age, and so are the second set.”
“Twins?”
“No. Both mothers were pregnant at the same time in both instances, and they knew about each other. When they finally broke it off, he got with his third baby mama. She clearly didn’t care about the drama.”
“That’s a lot.”
“It is, but people make their choices. The only thing I’ll give him credit for is taking care of them financially and playing an active role in their lives.
They’re all close to him. They call him not just when they need money, but advice or just a listening ear.
They trust, love, and respect him. It wasn’t always that way though.
The two oldest got to see the wild side of him before he chilled out. ”
“That’s crazy,” she replied before she returned to picking out books.
I sat down with Auburn and read to her. When I finished, Autumn had moved on to picking out books for herself. Auburn glanced up and looked around. “Where’s Mommy?”
“Mommy is getting some books for you to read.”
“I wanna wead too.”
“You’re going to learn how to read one day soon. You know why?”
She shook her curly head.
“Because you’re going to be the smartest little girl on the planet.
Just watch. You’re going to grow up to be a prolific author, genetic scientist, or economist. Whatever you put your mind to, great or small, you’re going to accomplish great things.
I already know it. You’re going to be loved, protected, and adored, beautiful. ”
“Look at you over there falling in love with my baby,” Autumn stated, walking up behind me with her selection of books to check out.
I winked at her. She and her baby could be easy to fall for—not that I was trying to—but I wouldn’t be mad if it happened.
After she checked her books out and we were heading to the doors, I proposed our first date.
“Hey, I’ve been thinking. If you’re truly interested in going to a game, why don’t you join me for our next home game?”
“As long as I can find a sitter for Auburn, I would love that, October,” she replied as her face lit up.
“Then we gotta make that happen, baby girl. Consider it our first date,” I replied with a wink and pulled the door open.
“It’s a date,” she replied softly with a soft smile.