9. You’re The Moonlight…
You’re The Moonlight…
I’d been tracking Jade’s location since they landed.
Shit, really before then too, but that part didn’t matter.
My baby was finally coming home. I’d enjoyed the summer and everything it had to offer, and while a break was good and often needed, I missed Zion.
I spent the early morning preparing for his arrival by cooking, cleaning, and making this big ass sign that read Welcome Home .
I was sure my neighbors and the cars that passed by thought I was an idiot, but I couldn’t care less.
I wanted to be in the same spot he’d left me in.
A few minutes passed before my mama’s sedan turned on my street.
I waved the sign in the air doing some dance that I knew would be funny as hell when I watched the house cameras later.
Mama parked and Zion leaped out the backseat and ran into my arms. I could’ve been tripping, but he seemed to have gotten taller since last month making it almost impossible to pick him up.
“Mommy!” He squealed as we embraced with everything in us.
“Oh, my baby. My Zion.”
I didn’t mean to cry, but I was overwhelmed with emotions.
Children were a blessing from God and the truth was every woman wasn’t blessed with a body that allowed them to birth a child.
I would never take motherhood for granted.
With health issues, surgeries, and whatever other flaws he carried, my son would always be the best part of me.
“I missed you so much! Look what I got you,” he separated us and dug into his pocket. His palms opened revealing the links. “I got you a keychain for every city we visited!”
There were a total of eight and I took turns holding each of them up. “Oh wow! Thank you so much, Zy. They are so nice. I’ma put every single one of them on my keys too,” I pinched his cheeks. “Go get your bags and let’s go inside.”
He nodded and took off running toward the car. Mama was standing behind him with her arms folded, smiling. There were days where I would look at her and see Grandma’s entire face and it scared me. Today was one of them. I wrapped my arms around her frame, rocking her tightly.
“Thank you so much for being an amazing mother and Granny. I needed this time. Do I owe you anything?”
“Jersei Monroe, if you don’t hush that mouth, I know something.” She kissed my cheek. “You don’t owe me a thing. That grandson of mine keeps me young. He’s such a good boy. You and that ex-nigga of yours did an amazing job,” she looked over at Zy who was hugging Jade. “I already miss him.”
“Girl get off my mama like that,” Jade playfully pushed me before wrapping her arms around me then whispered. “I can tell you got some dick. You're glowing like somebody poured baby oil on your ass.”
I hollered. “Hoe, watch out!”
We spent an hour outside catching up, looking at pictures, and mainly gossiping about some Harvest Hills drama that had nothing to do with us.
We all loved mess when it wasn’t our own.
I wanted to ask Mama about her and Mr. Teddy, but I didn’t want to break Zy’s promise but I knew I’d catch them in the act soon.
When they left, I went full mommy mode. While Zion took his bath I unpacked his things.
We were now sitting in the kitchen talking about the details of his summer that slipped his mind.
I’d made his favorite meal: chicken tetrazzini, olive oil fried chicken, and homemade garlic toast. Knowing that I had a date with Vayce this weekend, I decided to save my cheat day and made a quinoa salad to pair with my toast.
“Soooo, someone has a birthday coming up.” He chewed his food, nodding his big ass head. I chuckled.
“Sure does! I am getting closer and closer to paying bills. Can you believe it, Mama?”
I hollered. “Boy, you so funny. I cannot believe it but listen. I know your dad and I usually do a surprise at the house. I don’t want your special day to feel repetitive so what do you want to do?”
Zy tapped his chin. “Well, there aren’t many places here Mom, so I’m good with whatever you plan. As long as you, Granny, Tee Tee Jade, and Dad are there, I am okay. I know I will have fun, and I trust you.”
I smiled. I hope Solomon wasn’t getting bent over a balcony overseas and could show up for his party. I was going to do my part and send him the invite, but anything past that was on him.
Zion and I finished eating and as I did the dishes, he sat at the island ahead of me spinning in the chair.
“Mom, how was the cabin? Did you have fun?”
I smiled. “It was really nice. Every day was different in a good way. You ever had the type of fun you didn’t expect?” He nodded, still twirling. “That’s how it was. I rode bikes in the mountains, got on a boat, sat by the fire, and recharged. It was great!”
My mind drifted off to how fast Vayce got acquainted with my body like they were long lost friends.
I could still feel his touch on my skin and his beard tickling places most would say he shouldn’t be.
He went back home last week to be with Valen, and this week has been busy with me training for work and him training at the gym.
The communication remained persistent and every morning around eleven fifteen, I got fresh magnolias at my front door.
I wasn’t falling because I’d already landed flat on my face, and I was good down here.
The two weeks in the cabin solidified that and I was looking forward to this weekend and past that, whatever else was to come between us.
“That’s good. I didn’t know you had summer plans, but I am glad you went and had fun,” Zy pushed his hand to the counter to boost his spin. “The day we talked while you were cooking the beef tips.”
My brow raised. “Mhm?”
“There was a man in the background. He walked by fast, but I caught him. If I may ask in a child’s place, who was that man, Mom?”
My eyes widened as I looked at the dishes.
There was a meme of a woman in court in a blue shirt who I’m sure I looked exactly like at this moment.
This lil’ fake ass private investigator.
I remembered the exact day he was referring to.
Vayce and I weren’t hiding, but I wanted to tell Zy face-to-face, but this was not how I pictured this conversation starting.
Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a towel to dry the dishes.
“Can you stop spinning and look at me?” He stopped and gave me his big, bright, curious eyes.
“First, I want to say I was not keeping a secret; I wanted to talk to you when you were home and settled. But, to make a long story short, I am dating a man, and we did spend two weeks together in the cabin.”
Zion leaned forward and I could tell he was really tuned in. His little brows furrowed. “Where did you meet him?”
“Uhh,” I popped my tongue. “I met him at your school. He’s your counselor…Mr. Denver.”
Zion jumped out his seat, shocking the hell out of me.
“I knew it! I knew it!” He pumped his fist up, giggling.
“Mom, I knew it! You were so mad, but you had them big googly eyes when we were in Doctor Voss’ office.
Remember the girl Maddie that I told you was ugly from my math class that I don’t like back? ”
I laughed. “Yeah, Zy. I remember, baby.”
“How Maddie looks at me is how you and Mr. Denver looked at each other! Oh man, this is great, Mom. I knew it!”
I didn’t know if I was supposed to laugh or be shocked or to record my eyes when I looked at Vayce. The time in his office, I felt fire in my eyes from anger, but Zy had a different perspective. He danced around the floor for another minute before sitting back down.
“Alright. First things first, I was not looking at him with no googly eyes,” I pointed the towel at him.
“You were. It was like this,” he bucked his eyes, blinking hard a few times.
I was cracking up. “Whatever!”
“But, he is very nice and helps me a lot. I like him, Mom.”
I smiled. “He is nice, but how does that make you feel that I am dating a man that isn’t your dad?”
He shrugged. “When I found out Daddy had a girlfriend,” Boyfriend . I corrected him in my head. “I told you that you needed someone to make you happy too. Dad is happy, so does Mr. Denver make you happy?”
The mere thought of the butterflies I get around Vayce made me smile. “He makes me happy, but he also brings me joy, Zy.”
“Cool. Then I am happy too and I promise to not tell anyone,” he zipped his lips.
Reaching over, I ruffled his curls. I truly had the coolest kid on the planet. “I appreciate that baby and thank you for being so understanding. I am hoping to invite him to your birthday party too.”
His eyes grew big as he nodded with excitement, but his lips were tucked as if they were still zipped. I laughed at his silly behind. I could take a breather because our conversation went smoothly. Now, I had to plan for them to meet outside of the school walls.
For the rest of the night, we curled up watching a few of our favorite movies while eating sorbet straight out of the bucket. These were the moments that meant the most and I’d forever cherish them.
Don’t overthink it. Something comfortable.
I’m leaving the house in thirty minutes to get you.
& Pack a bag of your necessities only. I got everything else for you, clothes included. I wanna be selfish with you this weekend. See you in a minute