6. Good Days
Good Days
“And guess what else?”
“What baby?” I propped the phone up on the kitchen window sill. I was in the second phase with this batch of wine and was currently racking the grapes skin into the liquid.
“I’m not one to tell people business, but I do think Granny has a boyfriend.
When we get back to the house, she goes in the room and talks on the phone for hours, Mama,” Zy whispered into the phone.
My mouth opened as he continued. “I saw him too. I think it’s that man that she plays cards with on the porch. ”
“With the walker?” I whisper-yelled. Zion put his full face in the camera and nodded.
I fell into laughter. “Not Mr. Teddy,” I grimaced thinking of the fact that he was Mrs. Humphrey’s ex-husband.
If that old messy heffa got ahold of that information, the entire Harvest Hills would know.
Then I would have to fight the hoes at the bingo hall for talking shit about my mama. It could get too messy for my liking.
“But you can’t say I told you.”
I quickly pressed a finger to my lips. “You know it’s our secret, baby.”
“Dad called me yesterday. I was happy to hear from him. Him and Uncle Vic were on the beach.”
I wanted to say fuck them pussy ass niggas , but this was Zion I was talking to, not one of my homeboys, although it sometimes felt like it.
Solomon was still too engulfed in his relationship that he still wasn’t worried about our son.
As I told him a few weeks ago, I wasn’t going to force him into doing what the hell he was supposed to.
Zy had too many people that loved him, and I would step in as much as I could, so he wouldn’t feel that something was missing.
I smiled as genuinely as I could. “Good for you. I’m glad you two talked,” I put the hydrometer in the container to check the sugar levels.
I liked my wine not too sweet or bitter so seeing the meter at seventy-eight was perfect.
I clapped my hands already excited for this batch.
“There is some amazing beach weather outside. Speaking of outside, I’m so glad that you are having fun.
I saw the pictures of you and Tee Tee Jade riding scooters. It is so nice up there.”
“It was so fun, Mama! I was going so fast that I kept losing Tee Tee in the dust,” he chuckled.
I laughed, covering the wine for now and washing my hands. “That’s good, Zy. I miss you so much.”
“And I miss you too, Mama. I can’t wait to give you the biggest hug in the whole world!”
My sensitive self was trying to fight tears. “I can’t wait, baby. Y’all going to Baltimore today? Did you take all your medicines?”
“Yes, to both. I feel really good. I haven’t had any flares, but if that changes, I promise to speak up,” he answered all the questions he knew I would have asked. I chuckled.
“Zy! You about ready, baby?”
“Yes, Granny! I am.” He yelled behind him then looked back at the phone. “Okay Mommy. We are about to go. I love you.”
“I love you, baby. Please tell Granny and Jade I said hello.”
We said our goodbyes, and I cleaned the mess I created in the kitchen.
My wine cooler, pantry, and fridge were all stocked with finished and in progress wine.
The silence of my home was hard at first, but I was getting acquainted with how peaceful it was.
Placing my hands on my hips, I smiled as I stood in the middle of my living room.
A lot had changed since leaving Solomon, but I could proudly say that this was mine.
Luxury wasn’t always the brand; it was in the fact that all this shit had my name on it. Nobody but God could take that from me.
As I cleaned up the house, I remembered Harmoni telling me she left me something in Zion’s room.
I flipped his light on, checking around his space.
There were many basketball posters plastered on his walls and in the center of his bed was the teddy bear I’d given him as a baby.
I picked it up, inhaling it, thankful that it still held his scent.
I couldn’t wait to see him. I returned the bear to the bed and in the corner of the room, a black bag caught my eye.
Unsure of what was inside, I carried it to my room and unzipped it.
I gasped looking over the thick wads of money wrapped in rubber bands.
There was a letter on top. I unfolded it.
From me to you as a thank you for being the only mutha’fucka that never judged me.
As you navigate this new season, I want you to know that you don’t have to be alone.
You don’t see the light that you shine but you unknowingly get me through my darkest days with a simple text.
I love you. I appreciate you. And this is from one night.
I don’t need it back. Invest in your wildest dreams.
-Harm
I swiped the tear from my cheek as I closed the letter.
I had no way to return the money which is why she gave it in cash so I would be forced to keep it.
She knew me well. I’ve never expressed anything financial to her, but I appreciated her thinking of me.
Harmoni slept throughout the day because she worked at night, but I still called.
When she didn’t answer, I sent an audio message expressing my appreciation.
I locked the bag in the safe then checked the time to see that I had an hour to spare so I went back upstairs to start my makeup.
Today would’ve been a content day with my lowest paying client with a foot fetish.
I called him lowest paying, but he was willing to pay a rack for one foot and an extra two hundred if I added toe rings or oil.
I used to stack those rings on my feet like Sparta or some shit. Men were truly easy.
I chuckled at the thought as I laid out my makeup then started cleansing my skin.
Financially, stepping away from content was easy because I still had plenty saved from the three months of doing it on top of the five thousand in child support I received bi-weekly.
Ten racks was more than enough to supply the lifestyle Zion and I had, but that money was for him.
Plus counting on that felt like I was still in the same shoes relying on Solomon.
Today, I had an interview scheduled at Hillside Winery, a black woman owned distillery located in Edgewynne.
I’d visited there several times since they’d been open in the past year and a half.
Not only was the wine, food, and vibes amazing but so was the owner.
We’d gained a relationship from me visiting so often but I’d never disclosed that I distilled as well.
It was a huge step for me since it had been over a decade since I’d worked.
It would also be my first interview because when Devon’s dad owned Chasers, the only thing he asked before hiring me was who are your people.
He and my mom went to school together and that was enough to land me the job.
The hot shower I took set my makeup perfectly.
I decided on a white button-down tucked into high-waisted, navy cigarette pants, with an olive blazer and a pair of nude heels.
As I fluffed my twist out, I thanked God for allowing my hair to cooperate and prayed that His Will be done during this interview.
My stomach turned backflips as I parked in front of the wooden building. On the way over, my mom called to pray over me, but the nerves were still winning. The interview was set for ten and it was fifteen minutes ‘til, so I had ten to spare.
I made sure my resume was still in my tote bag before grabbing my phone. A smile formed when I saw Vayce texted me twice.
Since our time in the garden last week, there hadn’t been a day we didn’t spend on the phone.
Even with him back in his hometown, our communication never wavered.
He’d become part of my routine, and I was enjoying getting to know him.
Vayce even helped me with my resume and tweaked my experiences for me to sell myself.
It was no secret that I was feeling him.
When he extended the invitation to his cabin, I was thrown off.
Although I knew my answer, Vayce didn’t, yet he hadn’t asked me twice about it.
He told me when he was leaving and left it at that.
I couldn’t help but wonder if we were moving too fast, but I was starting not to give a fuck.
I was going with the flow by telling myself I wanted this, I deserved this, so why not try it?
Did you make it?
You need anything?
I just pulled in…And prayer. I’m so nervous lol
I’ve been on Google rehearsing what she might ask. Hopefully this shit doesn't feel like boot camp.
I watched the dots populate then disappear. When a message didn’t come through after a minute, I closed our thread and went to Zy’s. He’d sent me a selfie that made my heart smile.
Do great Mommy. Love you
God had sent me the perfect angel. I sent him back a selfie with me throwing a peace sign and told him I loved and appreciated him.
As I was about to click Jade’s contact, my car announced a call from V.
Denver . My heart thumped out my chest, but before I could answer, the call ended.
I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel as I quickly tapped his name again.
The phone rang too many times, and as I was about to deem his call as an accident, he picked up.
“I asked you if you wanted to rehearse and you told me no,” his deep voice boomed through my speakers.
I smiled like he could see me. “You’re home with your sister. I didn’t want to bother you. Google did just fine.”
There was some shuffling in his background before he spoke again. “I’ll always make time for you.”
I thought I was tripping when I heard his voice at my door and through my car. My mouth dropped. He wasn’t supposed to be back for another day. Vayce smiled and ended the call as I unlocked the door.
“Vayce,” I laughed, playfully pushing him out of my space when he tried to help me out. “When did you get back?”