Chapter 3 Eris
It’s crazy how life resumes normally after having one of the best times of your life. I had more mimosas and clubs to last me for a while. My girls don’t know how much that meant to me.
I felt replenished the entire weekend until work had me tired.
The workday was packed. A blur. I barely made it.
I was running out the office when I stopped at the bathroom to make sure my makeup was still covering the hickey Rayzor left on my neck.
“Let me touch this up,” I murmured, tracing my fingers over it.
As I blended concealer, I thought about how he put me through the mattress, tables, chairs, shower and everything else before stealing off into the night like a thief. He left money on the nightstand, a black car and security at my disposal.
We didn’t run in the same circles, so the chance of running into him again was slim to none.
That’s for the best because the things I did to that man– a complete stranger goes down in my books.
It was something about Rayzor, cold and off-putting to the world, but he was gentle and soft with behind closed doors.
Maybe it was part of the plan, either way, I had a time.
He left an impression.
I drove in a daze to my son Levi’s school. By the time I realized what was happening, I was pulling up.
My baby was so happy to see me as he ran into my arms.
“Ma!” He cheesed hard.
I picked him up, raining kisses on his cheeks. “Hey, baby. I missed you. Hope you had a good day.”
“Miss you too.”
“He did so good, Miss Richardson,” his teacher said. “We have a field trip coming up. Hopefully, you can chaperone. You know we’d love to have you.”
“Get me the details, and I’ll see what I can do.”
My life was busy with Levi and Erin. My job was weekdays. I had weekends off that I dedicate to family. I’m ashamed to say I don’t always show up for things at his school like I should. I try. I really do.
It stings when I decline things. I make the big events and where I can’t, my girls got me. Still… sometimes I think his school judges me, even when they say they understand.
I remember the first time I couldn’t make it to chaperone, and my baby was looking forward to it, I cried. That stuck with me.
Levi now sat in his car seat smiling from ear to ear with his toy clutched in his hands.
Sometimes I wondered what it’d be like to be taken care of instead of taking care of everybody. What having the load lightened would be like. Wonder if my choice of a baby father cursed my son because his daddy wasn’t shit. My son’s four and hadn’t seen him but a handful of times in his life.
“TT Erin.”
“Yes, we’re about to get TT Erin.”
Our life was routine.
My little sister’s school wasn’t far from his daycare.
Everything was convenient to my job. That’s one thing I always make certain of, that life was easy for all of us, not just me.
I don’t do things with only myself in mind.
I knew what it was like being miserable growing up because I was never considered. I didn’t want that for Levi or Erin.
“Levi!” Erin screeched, not even acknowledging me when she opened the car door and kissing him before getting in the front.
“Well, hey miss thang,” I greeted her.
“Hey, sister.” She smiled.
“You get in my car and don’t even speak to me.” I shook my head.
“Never. I love you.” She laughed and Levi joined her like he understood what she was saying.
Erin has been in my custody for years now, before Levi was born. Our mother dropped her off in the middle of the night and never came back for her. No note or anything. Went by the house, it was still furnished, but she was gone. Most of her clothing, gone.
That night changed me.
I chased her ghost for over a year until I realized she didn’t want to be found. It forced me from being a big sister to a parent. Erin was my first baby.
My mother was a lustful being with a part-time habit.
Growing up, she would leave me home to take care of Erin while she binged, followed behind men or both.
I tried getting her some help. The family tried, but she didn’t want it.
You can’t help those that doesn’t want to be helped.
I had to make peace with Erin was the responsibility my mother put on hold, to live her life. She traded us for the streets.
“What y’all want for dinner?”
“Alfredo,” Erin replied.
“You need some vegetables. That’s all you be wanting is pasta.”
“Dang, Eris.” She huffed. “You know I don’t like vegetables. It’s okay to eat other stuff sometimes.”
“As long as you’re under my roof and I buy your food, you’ll eat what I say.”
“You’re acting like you’re my momma,” she murmured.
“Say it again. You weren’t loud enough,” I challenged.
“Nothing,” she mumbled.
“Who’s the one that takes care of you?”
She smacked her teeth. “You.”
“I might as well be your mama. Don’t play with me, Erin. Watch your damn mouth.”
Sometimes raising a teen was challenging and exhausting.
Erin and I were constantly butting heads, and I didn’t understand why.
It’s not like I wasn’t there for her. I make sure to talk with her to keep up to date on her life and everything.
Even had her in therapy. But sometimes I couldn’t help but feel she hated me for taking over mom’s spot.
Instead of going to the grocery store, I went to Adrienne’s, a restaurant not too far away from home to grab take-out.
I didn’t have the energy anymore to cook because Erin’s comment got to me.
I needed a breather and didn’t want them seeing me emotional.
Erin was a teen and uses words as a weapon, not understanding some shit you say can’t be taken back.
“Welcome to Adrienne’s. How can I help you today?” the hostess greeted.
“Placing a to-go order.”
“Give me one second.”
The hostess left me alone for a couple of minutes, and I took a seat to wait.
I busied myself with my phone when I glanced up to see Rayzor walking in with one of my patients.
My heart thumped.
I quickly dropped my head.
“Miss. Richardson!” the young voice called out, running up and hugging me.
Rayzor had a confused look on his face.
“Ms. Richardson?” Rayzor repeated.
“Hey, Maleek.” I smiled, standing up and hugging him back.
“Maleek, you know her?”
“Yeah. This is my dental hygienist, Ms. Richardson.”
“Who’s this, Maleek?” I questioned, looking up at Rayzor.
“My big brother Courtland. Well, Rayzor to everyone else. I told you about him, remember?”
I wanted to slap my own forehead because he talks about his brother all the time. I felt like I knew him before even meeting him. That’s how much Maleek talks about him.
“He loves and admires you so much.”
“Damn, small world,” Rayzor muttered.
Maleek released me.
“She pretty, bro, ain’t she?”
“Get yo’ grown ass over here,” Rayzor told him.
He kissed his teeth and I giggled.
“I didn’t even know you were from the A,” Rayzor said.
“Born and raised.”
“Damn. I guess we ain’t do too much talking.”
“You could’ve found out if you didn’t ghost me,” I mumbled.
Rayzor ran his hand over his waves.
“I thought–” he started to say.
“How you know each–” Maleek started.
“Ma’am, here’s the menu for you to make your order,” the hostess interrupted.
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“What you getting? It’s on me,” Rayzor offered.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.”
“Court, just invite her to the table,” Maleek told her.
“Nah, it’s your birthday. I’m sure she got shit to do,” Rayzor said.
“Just ask her.”
“Oh no. I can’t do that. I have my son and sister with me,” I explained.
“Is she fine?” Maleek asked.
“What the fuck I tell you?”
Maleek shaped up after Rayzor straightened him out, although he wasn’t an issue.
“How many in your party, sir?” the hostess asked.
“Five, but give me something for six,” Rayzor told her.
“I’ll be right back,” the hostess replied, scurrying off.
“Rayzor, you don’t have to do that. I’m tired and just wanna go home.”
“And you can still do that. Gon’ get lil’ man and your sister. Come eat.”
“It’s Maleek’s birthday.”
“And he said he’s cool with you coming along. Stop stressing. Go get them kids out the car before I do it,” he said sternly.
“Oh please.” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t even know what kind of car I drive.”
“You talking about that white Lexus out front?” he retorted and that shut me the hell up.
I was off my ass on and my feet before he decided to get all in my business.
Levi and Erin were excited to go inside the restaurant.
I had to make sure they looked presentable because Levi loved wearing what he ate in school that day.
Surprisingly, he looked as put together as he did when I dropped him off.
Erin was a pretty girl and didn’t like a wrinkle in her clothing.
“A friend of mine wants us to join them for dinner. Y’all be good in here, alright?”
“Aunt Suki or Rhea?” Erin asked.
“Neither. And stop being nosy.”
Holding Levi’s hand, Erin stood on the side of me.
“Erin, this is…”
“Rayzor, the boxer! That’s Rayzor, Eris. You know him?” she asked, elated.
I was taken aback, eyes wide, shocked in confusion because what the hell did she know about boxing?
“You know him?” I asked with furrowed brows.
“Everybody knows him. Tyrell can’t stop talking about him. That’s his favorite boxer. I gotta call him,” she rambled.
Tyrell was her little boyfriend that was on the wrestling team at school. I gave her that leniency to have guy friends, but the relationship doesn’t go outside of school. When she goes to his matches, I’m right there with her.
“Wait until after dinner, Erin,” I suggested. She rolled her eyes, but I bet her ass didn’t make that call. Now, whatever she texted was on her, but nobody better not show up to this restaurant that was a friend of hers. She’d have to answer to me.
“Nice to meet you, Erin. I’m Courtland and this is my little brother, Maleek,” Rayzor introduced himself, shocking me that he gave her his first name.
“You’re fine too.” Maleek smirked.