Chapter 21 #5
“It does.” Lyric nodded with a smile. “So that means I’m like officially a TT now and not just Mommy’s best friend who I call TT?”
“No longer just Mommy’s best friend who they call TT.”
“How have they been since they’ve been home?”
“Last night was a little rough but this morning they’re better.”
“Good. They weren’t harmed, were they?”
“Aside from Emorey telling me he hit Essence, nothing else has come up.”
“OK. I’m just glad they’re both OK.”
“Yeah. They’re straight. Now fix your own fucking food. I’m heading out.”
“Meany,” I heard her say as I left the kitchen and headed out of the door.
The sun was beaming, providing me with a healthy dose of light as I slid into my truck.
Unlike the last few times I’d climbed in my ride, this time I wasn’t filled with gloom.
A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
My girls were home and their mother wouldn’t be too much longer getting there.
I pulled out of my driveway with that on the forefront of my mind. That was enough to keep me pushing and help me get through the day. Because, in the end, my family would be reunited, and I couldn’t wait for the day. Until then, we’d make the best of our current situation.
Ever. The thought of her brought a smile to my face.
It always had. With the blunt from my ashtray at my lips, I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t anyone else in the world I’d rather call mine.
There wasn’t anyone else’s arms I’d rather be wrapped in when I slept like a baby at night.
It was her. She was it for me. Before lighting the blunt that was at my lips, I picked up my phone and dialed the number that I was all too familiar with.
“Yeah?” My father answered the phone. It was our signature. Those wondering why I answered the phone the way I did, I assumed had never called my father.
“Old man.”
“Boy, stop playing on my fucking phone. What is it? I’m golfing.”
“You ain’t hitting nothing. Missing every hole.”
“I ain’t missing shit. How do you think I got you three? I have perfect aim. Better ask your mother. And, according to sources, you don’t miss, either.”
“Like father, like son. I told you I got you. You thought I was bullshitting?”
“Ummm hmmm. Did you tie up that loose end?” He cut to the chase.
“Laike is making sure it’s tied, burned, and disposed of.”
“Good. Now what you want, Luca? I’ve got things to do.” He swore he was so busy, but his days mostly consisted of golf, television, dinner dates with my mother, and yard work that he never seemed to complete.
“I’m going to marry her,” I revealed, lighting the blunt in my hands.
“Hell, you’d better or don’t call me or your mother anymore.”
“You’re choosing a stranger over your own son? You’ve only known her for three months.”
“I like her better,” he admitted. “She’s good for you, son. Only one of those kinds swings by in a lifetime. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.”
“I won’t.”
“Is that all?”
“Nah. Not really.”
“Ooooooh. I see. Mr. Big Shot is scared.” He tittered, having a field day with that piece of information.
“Not really.”
“Oh, yes, you are. That’s why you called me. What you want some advice, son?”
“It would help.”
“Ask her in private. She’s the type of person who doesn’t like attention or the pressure other’s presence would cause.
Don’t put her on the spot like that. Make it simple.
She’ll love that. Don’t involve the kids.
Make this moment about her and her only.
Kids can be difficult when the attention is not solely on them. ”
Emorey , I thought immediately.
“Make it part of your normal routine. She’ll notice.
They always notice when something is different.
Don’t weigh her finger down, either. I know how you get.
She’s a graceful, elegant girl without needing the bright lights and marching band.
Give her a simple, meaningful diamond that you can upgrade as the years go on, eventually getting her the chunk of a diamond that I know is on your mind right now. ”
“Is that all?”
“Na. Focus on the marriage and not the wedding. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t even have had a wedding. Your mother and I hated that shit. Don’t assume she wants it just because most women do. Ask her how she wants to proceed and take it from there.”
“Alright.”
“Now, I’ve got to go before I have to whoop one of these crackers on the course with my club for looking upside my head like they ain’t got no damn sense.”
“Behave, old man.”
“I love you, son. I’m proud of you.”
“Always.”
I ended the call with my father and immediately dialed Rico’s line. He answered after a few rings, sleep still evident in his voice.
“What’s up, Luca?”
“Shit, nigga, wake up.”
“I’m always up when money on the other end of the line.”
“Bet. I need something special from you, and I need it as soon as possible.”
“Run it down to me and you know I got you.”
“I need a ring for my ole lady. She’s simple and classy. Give me something serious, but not too heavy for her pretty little fingers. Something that won’t freak her out.”
“Any specifics?”
“Nah. She’s a size six.”
“Bet. I got something in mind. Get back to me in a week and it’ll be ready for pickup.”
“Then I’m coming to pick it up. No more to talk about.”
“That works, too.” He chuckled.
“Appreciate you.”
When we ended the call, I was finally able to boost the volume of my stereo. Chasing Summer was on rotation.
She’s so happy when she’s next to me
Thought she had me
Baby really thought that she had me
Now she’s feening for the rest of me
But that isn’t in the recipe
I sang along to the lyrics of “The Recipe”. The drive to Original Cakes was a smooth one, making me forget my intentions of checking in with Ken. I made my third call of the morning, already tired of the amount of socializing the pleasant mood of mine had bullied me into.
“What’s up, Luca?”
“Shit. You good?”
“Yeah. I’m straight. Everything good on your end?”
“All good. I’m pulling up to Original, you want anything?”
“Yeah. Load me up. Don’t matter what.”
“Aight. Is she awake?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell her don’t fall asleep. I’ll be there before she knows it.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Appreciate you.”
“Aye.” He stopped me from hanging up.
“What’s up?”
“Yeah, you hit the jackpot with this one. Sit her ass down, ASAP.”
“Already did. Nigga, you hear the monitor. It done put your ass to sleep and woke you back up. That’s all me.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I’ve got to play catch up. How you get out and put one on the scoreboard before me?”
“You slipping. You’ve had an eight-year lead.”
“Yeah, man. I’m in here thinking about that shit now. But, aight. I’ll see you in a minute.”
“Aight.”
I walked into Ever’s room and found her sitting up.
For the last two days, she’d been in too much pain to move much at all.
Going to the bathroom was so painful that she’d been given a catheter but even that was gone.
Doctors also wanted to monitor her urine to make sure that there wasn’t any internal bleeding.
So, with that being gone, I knew it was a good sign.
“Hey,” she greeted me as I rounded the corner.
The smile on her face looked so familiar, even bruised and battered. It felt like forever since I’d seen it.
“You’re up.” I handed Ken his food and continued into the room until I was at Ever’s side. Our food was separated in two bags that I set on the small table in front of her.
“I’m up.”
She stretched her arms and invited me in for a hug.
I gladly accepted the invitation. It felt so good seeing her using her strength again.
I restrained myself, remembering not to squeeze too tight and allowing her to lead while I followed.
Easing her into any movement was the best idea for everyone.
There would possibly be a new ache or new bruise discovered each day for the next few days.
When she finally let me go, I gently kissed her lips.
The swelling had gone down tremendously.
She was looking a little more like herself now.
I moved further down until I was near her flat stomach.
It didn’t matter if my baby wasn’t visible yet.
He was there and we all knew it. I made two full circles with my hands before kissing the cloth of her gown.
“Where’s my food?”
“Damn, it’s like that?”
“I love you, babe, I really do, but they have been trying to feed me nursing home food, and I’m not in a nursing home.”
“I see,” I told her as I took a look at the contents of the plate that she had left sitting on the table.
“I got you a few things, not sure of what you wanted.”
“Just feed me. I don’t care what it is.”
With a hiked brow, I smiled. “You sure?”
“Luca, get your mind out of the gutter.”
“Just saying.” I shrugged.
Ever chose the cheese eggs and sausage patties cut into small pieces. They were the easiest to chew and get into her system without burning her lips or hurting her jaws. Together, we shared the meal with random commentary from Ken. I appreciated him more than he could imagine.
Once Laike gave me the green light on the Scar situation, he could go home and get some good rest. He’d left his own operation to look over my woman and unborn child.
There wasn’t anyone else in the world I trusted with the task other than him or Laike.
I knew that they’d save them before they saved themselves and that was the only amount of loyalty I’d accept in their presence.