Chapter 7
Today, he’d probably set a personal record. He wouldn’t be surprised if he were fired on the first day of work. If that were the outcome, he’d deal with it, same as all his other issues.
“Come, baby girl, let’s go.” He gathered Natanya’s belongings from the back of the cab and set her on the ground while checking that he hadn’t left anything.
“Thanks, Earl,” he said, straightening. “I’ll let you know what time to pick me up later.”
“Blessings.” Earl waved at Natanya, who copied his gesture.
Shomari picked up Natanya, scanned the clear sky, and whispered, “Thanks.”
On this new day, his worries had multiplied.
Instead of coming for Natanya on Saturday, Christy had followed up her first text with several more to let him know she was out of town.
It didn’t take him long to realize that from the beginning, she’d planned to be away for the entire weekend.
When he called to speak with her, she’d been uncommunicative and he was certain a man was speaking in the background, but it wasn’t any of his business.
What galled him was overstepping his boundaries with friends.
Since he was a guest at the Winters’ home, having Natanya there wasn’t convenient.
He’d have said so if Christy gave him the chance.
Instead, he’d watched Natanya carefully to ensure she didn’t spill any food or drink on the furniture.
Now, he faced the added complication of not only bringing Natanya to work but also having Lizette know he’d had a child in the house, where he was supposed to be staying alone.
It wouldn’t take her long to figure out his situation, but he didn’t plan to lie.
Standing around staring at the sky wouldn’t help anything, so he squared his shoulders and headed for the steps.
He’d come early, knowing he had to give Lizette an explanation, but wasn’t feeling it.
Lately, he hadn’t been enthusiastic about anything.
Only God knew what kind of Christmas he’d have with his foul mood and no idea what life would look like by then.
He pushed the buzzer, and the door opened. Sucking in a deep breath, he prepared to face Lizette. She stood at the counter with a woman wearing braids, who resembled her closely enough to be family.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said, setting Natanya down. She ran to the nearest wall to look at the cartoon characters that covered the space. Over her shoulder, she peeked at him before running her fingers over the paint.
“It’s okay,” Lizette said, before he could stop Natanya, and introduced Emily, who welcomed him with a grin and a handshake.
Keeping an eye on Natanya, he asked, “May I speak with you in your office?”
Lizette’s gaze went in the same direction as his when she said, “Sure. You want to bring her with you?”
“Yes, thanks.” Turning his head, he called, “Nats, come to Daddy.”
She backed away from the wall, then put her hand into his at the exact moment Lizette pressed a button somewhere and released the door on the counter. They followed her down the passage and into her office, where she invited them to sit.
After he arranged Natanya’s bags on the other seat, he set her on his leg but she scrambled down to look at the artwork inside the office.
“It’s fine, leave her be.” Today Lizette wore a polo shirt with a snazzy logo that caught and held his attention. He averted his gaze while coming up with an apology and an explanation.
“I’m sorry about this. My daughter’s mother left her with me and isn’t back in Kingston as yet.”
His words sounded lame, but he couldn’t do better.
Christy hadn’t given him any good reason for not picking up Natanya, other than to say she was still in the country.
Of course, he had no way of knowing whether that was true.
For all he knew, she could still be in the city since she’d moved recently.
He also couldn’t say for sure whether Christy was playing games, and the thought annoyed him.
Lizette didn’t speak, so he forced himself to continue. “I know this is highly irregular, but I had to take her with me. I don’t expect her to be here free for the day.”
She ignored that and asked, “Are you sure you won’t have to bring her with you again tomorrow?”
His focus shifted to Natanya, who was still engrossed in the vivid characters. Clasping his hands, he admitted, “The truth is, I don’t. I’ll speak with her mother later today and figure out what’s what.”
Lizette studied him for a moment, then said, “Stuff happens. I’m sure you’re doing your best.”
“I guess they do.” Letting out his breath, he agreed. “I’m trying for my baby girl.”
Although her words should have brought a measure of relief, they didn’t.
If he could describe how he felt in a word, it would be inadequate.
But he didn’t have time to dwell on all that wasn’t going according to plan.
His attention now had to be on providing the service he’d promised to give Lizette.
Standing from the seat, she said, “Let’s see if we can get her settled without you.”
Lizette walked to where Natanya stood and held out one hand. “Come with me to Auntie Emily. She’ll put you in a group where you can have some fun.”
When Natanya turned to face him, Shomari said, “It’s okay. I’m not leaving.”
“Give me her things,” Lizette said and took them before heading to the doorway.
Alone, he ran through all the choice words he’d say to Christy when she finally turned up.
Since she owned her business, she was at liberty to decide when she serviced her clients, and that worried him.
It could be days before she showed up, if she had a mind to take an extended holiday.
But why would she do that, knowing she’d put him in his current situation?
She didn’t know where he was staying and hadn’t asked.
Instead of wasting brain power on questions he couldn’t answer, Shomari said a prayer.
It calmed him and prevented thoughts of every unholy word he wanted to spew, but couldn’t.
He was so deep inside his head, he didn’t hear when the door closed, but looked up when Lizette’s delicate perfume alerted him that she was near.
The scent was simultaneously powdery and floral, with a hint of light musk.
He liked it because, somehow, it was like her.
Tough in handling her business and yet delicate at the same time.
She settled into her chair and pulled a file jacket closer.
“Am I still hired?” he asked.
Leaning back in the seat, she tapped a pencil on the desk, then said, “What do you think?”
“My situation isn’t exactly conducive to the start of a good employer/employee relationship, so …” He shrugged. “I had to ask.”
“Don’t worry about it. The fact that you mentioned the cost you might incur tells me you have a functional conscience.
” She laid the pencil down and sighed. “I’ve worked with children during my entire career, so trust me when I say, I know the unexpected happens.
If your family life doesn’t affect your performance, all is well.
But with that said, I’m no pushover, so don’t even think about taking advantage. ”
He opened his mouth to protest, but changed his mind. She’d already accommodated him more than most employers would have, and the twins had already told him she was a stickler for details and hardly let anything slip. Yet, she’d given him grace. He owed her. A lot.
“Thanks. I appreciate you.”
Lizette angled her head toward him and searched his eyes, as if checking whether he was sincere. Softly, she said, “You’re more than welcome.”
Try as he might, he couldn’t tear his gaze from her. When he realized how staring at her could be misconstrued, he cleared his throat and asked, “Can I have a copy of that course outline you showed me?”
“You mean my jottings? Sure.”
He chuckled. “They’re a little more than that. I’ll round them out, like I promised.”
“I’m definitely holding you to that. As you can probably tell, some kinds of paperwork are not among my favorite things to do.” She opened the file in front of her, unpinned several sheets, then left the office, gently bathing him in her aroma.
In a couple of minutes, she handed him the copy and replaced the file on the desk.
“Since I don’t hear Natanya screaming, I take it she’s all right?” he asked when Lizette sat.
Waving with one hand, she quipped, “And making friends already.”
Some minutes later, after discussing his ideas for expanding the syllabus, Lizette took him to the lab.
Her computers were not the latest model, but more than adequate. No doubt, thanks to the twins.
“What time do I have the first batch of children?”
She checked her watch, then said, “In fifteen minutes. It’s the older ones, including Luca. They’re on Christmas break from school, and they’ve all had lessons before.”
“Sounds good.” He pulled out a chair at one station and lowered himself, still focused on the sheet in his hand.
The second he sat, shooting pains ran through his butt, and he sprang up like a projectile.
Before he could determine what was on the seat, Lizette squeaked and hung on to his arm.
He swung around and grabbed hold of her with both hands to stop her from falling.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to mow you down.” His lips grazed hers as he spoke, and Lizette’s eyes widened into a stare he couldn’t interpret. Fear? Panic? Shock? He didn’t know which was the case. Then she blinked several times in quick succession, which restored his equilibrium. Somewhat.
“That’s okay, I …” Her voice trailed off, and he realized she was clutching his shirt as their breaths mingled and their bodies melded together.
If they weren’t in a classroom and their situation was different, he’d definitely … Shomari blinked, and his head cleared. He relaxed his grip, then released her, but not fast enough, because a piercing voice shattered the tense silence. “Auntie Lizette, were you kissing the new teacher?”