Chapter 3
Chapter
Three
Olive
I made it to the park with five minutes to spare before they would dismiss the kids for the day. We made it to the end of the first week here at the summer camp, and so far, Jo-Jo hadn’t complained since the first morning.
I was counting my blessings and thanking God for it too.
I wasn’t sure if it was the talk with Jasiel he had the other night, or if he was actually having fun, but it worked for me.
Whenever I asked how his day was, I got the same nod with a nonchalant good and that was it.
No details or anything, so I was almost sure his father was behind his changed behavior.
I glanced toward the pavilion where the crowd of kids were beginning to break free from their tables before I could even get out to wait for Jo-Jo.
Normally I was one of the last to collect my kid to avoid all the madness, but today, I was facing it headfirst. It was Friday and had been a long ass day.
I had a bottle of wine already chilling and my back deck waiting for me.
I staggered through the massive crowd of running kids, checking each that passed me for Jo-Jo. By the last few kids, and still no sight of him, I almost started to panic until I heard his name being called. I looked up to see him making his way back toward the playground with two other kids in tow.
By the time I reached the playground area, he was sliding down the plastic slide, coming into view.
“Hey, Jo-Jo, are you ready to go?” I asked, already knowing better since he was making his way back over there.
“Not yet, Mommy. We didn’t get a chance to slide today because the line was too long before we could.
And Ceona’s sister Neela didn’t get a chance either,” he said as he went running back around to slide again while I shook my head and found a bench to sit on while I waited for him.
I put my attention on the girls and smiled.
I decided to introduce myself since Jo-Jo was playing with them.
“Hi, I’m Ms. Liv.” The youngest clung to her sister, while the oldest smiled and waved. She then helped her sister up the steps so she could slide down.
I then turned to Jo-Jo who was making his way back around.
I snatched him close to me, hugged him, and kissed his head.
“Okay, but, only for a few more minutes, Jo-Jo. Mommy is ready to go. We still have to stop and get groceries,” I said, already knowing he wasn’t listening nor did he care.
I wasn’t sure about the time that passed before a camp counselor made her way over to us.
I was sure she was here about the girls.
We offered each other the common courtesy smiles and hellos right as she called out to the girls, waving them over. The oldest grabbed her sister’s hand, making sure she was close to her.
“Is your dad here yet?” The oldest hung her head as she shook it while the youngest’s face began to form a saddened expression.
Just from the moment I could tell this happened before and my first thought was to step in.
I was up and moving quickly toward the trio; this camp was strict when it came to tardiness.
The fees alone could be taxing or worse, kicking the kids out.
If they were a working single parent like me, this would hurt everyone involved.
Before I could even think about what I was doing, my mouth was moving.
“They’re with me.”
Olive, why would you do that?
I had no idea why I even got involved or why I would lie. But it came out with ease.
She looked at me then back to them before she asked if they knew me.
The oldest nodded before she repeated my name back to her.
I sighed; glad she recalled it with confidence.
The counselor looked me up and down, squinting, not sure if she should believe us or not.
After a minute of silence she fixed her face and pushed her shoulders back.
“Okay, just making sure. See y’all next week. Have a good weekend,” she said as she began to walk away but not before looking at me quizzically once more.
Once she was gone, I called the oldest over to me.
“Maybe we should call your dad. Do you know his number?” My question was a long shot. Most kids her age knew how to work a phone but I didn’t have faith that she would actually remember the ten digit number.
She nodded before she pulled out a phone, making my mouth fall open.
“Huh, well lets see how close he is.” She hit his contact name. I then reached for it to put it on speaker.
When no one answered she hung up, but a rich yet rough baritone called out for her from behind us.
I turned to see a muscular man making his way over to us. Suddenly my mouth was sealed shut as I stood there like a deer in headlights unable to move, talk, or take my eyes off him.
Gotdamn.
He was at a distance but what I could make out was fine as hell. Tattoos were riddled down his chocolate arms. I couldn’t tell if he had waves or just a haircut under his baseball cap. The plain white T-shirt clung to his body and I could tell he did manual labor.
Olive, now you just guessing and playing.
He tossed his hand up and I swore I could see it flexing even from here.
“Cece, Neela!” The girls ran to meet him halfway. He waved and I waved back. That was it. And like that, he was gone.
I stood for a minute longer before I called out to Jo-Jo.
By the time we made it home, Byrdie was pulling up right behind us with her son Darius. He was a year older than Jo-Jo. I loved that they had each other. Growing up as an only child, I was lonely the majority of the time. Not that I had a lot of free time outside of school and Angie.
“Girl, you know how much I hate when that big head brother of mine is the reason for the extended invite over here. Like who the hell is the best friend here? Uht uht uhn, do better, Liv,” she joked as she hopped out of her car.
I was confused at what she was talking about.
I hadn’t heard from Jasiel since Monday night when he called Jo-Jo.
“And what is the reason Jasiel gave you to be here today? And heffa, real best friends don’t need invites, so who needs to do better with those pop up visits?” I joked back just as I unlocked the door, then stepped aside so the boys didn’t knock me over as they ran inside.
“Now you know how he is about Jo-Jo, we’re here to celebrate his week down of camp.
He said a pizza party on him. And girl, when they decide I’m no longer a valuable person at the radio station, I will gladly go back to my daily blow downs.
It’s been far too long since we just hung out.
Please vacation me and soon.” I playfully rolled my eyes at Jasiel sending Byrdie with pizza for camp.
“What is this word that you speak of? Vacation? Can you use it in a sentence for me please? I’m not used to such foreign language.” I couldn’t remember the last real vacation I’d taken.
“Vacation. Me and you in the sun, toes buried in the warm sand, with drinks in our hands.”
“You left out Jo-Jo and Darius in that sentence, ma’am. We have kids,” I said just as we made it past the threshold into the house. I could hear Jo-Jo’s TV on and loud, letting me know the boys were already upstairs and had the game on.
“Yeah, I know, and for a reason, because they have daddies who can take over, if only for a weekend or something. Shit, mama needs a break too. And plus, this is the summer we find you a man. It’s been far too long since you had one of those too.”
“Heffa what drugs did you just say yes to today because your brother is very much not here to take over. And please don’t start with this dating thing.
I told you, if it happens, then it happens.
Plus, let’s not act like the last one didn’t run out before dinner was over once he found out what I did for a living. ”
We made it to the kitchen where she set down the boxes of pizza while I washed my hands before getting the open bottle of wine out of the refrigerator. Byrdie washed hers before getting the glasses down.
“Girl, did I say date? I meant fuck. You can leave out all the personal information, just name, age, and status, all of them to have a little fun. If anybody deserves it, it’s you.
And Jasiel will be here in a couple of weeks; we can plan something.
We don’t even have to go far, just something on a beach for a couple of days. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I did tell Jo-Jo we could spend a weekend at Splash Mountain when your brother comes home though.” Byrdie kissed her teeth while I shrugged and took a sip of the wine I had just poured into my glass. It was the best I had to offer.
“Ugh, and how does that soothe your soul and get you some dick? Oh my God, wait—please don’t tell me you and Jasiel are…”
My eyes grew wide as I damn near choked on my sip while Byrdie’s whole face twisted up as if it was the most disgusting thought.
“I promise whatever drugs you’re on today, don’t take that shit no more.
It’s got you behaving badly. You do know that we made a baby, so the deed has already been done, right?
But no, me and your brother are still just co-parents, and must I remind you we move like a family when he’s here.
It’s the only way I get a break while on the staycations because who else is going to watch Jo-Jo while I’m at the spa or whatever? ”
“And all I’m saying is you can still do that, but while Jasiel is here, we can escape too.
I already told Troy what the deal was and of course he agreed.
So, even if I have to drag your ass to the plane, train, or car, we’re taking a girl's trip away. Give me two days in paradise somewhere please.” She tilted her head to the side as she tossed her hands in the prayer position, pleading with me.
I released a sigh and shook my head. “We’ll see.” Byrdie kissed her teeth, clearly frustrated by my answer and ready to battle more on the subject. I placed my hand up to stop her from overdoing the begging.