Chapter 11
Marcus
Monday morning, I rolled out of bed at six-thirty like I had been doing for the past few weeks and stumbled into the kitchen to start the coffee maker before waking up Noah. Once I had finished my own morning routine, I went into his room.
“Let’s go, big man. Time to get ready for school,” I said, shaking him gently.
He moaned, rubbing his eyes as he yawned.
After ensuring he had brushed his teeth properly, I headed back to the kitchen and placed a couple of strawberry Pop-Tarts in the toaster, our standard breakfast. I wasn’t going to win father of the year, but at least he was getting food in his belly.
Nonetheless, I intended to learn how to cook.
His comment at the petting zoo had been jarring.
He was a growing kid and needed vegetables and home-cooked meals.
Last night, I bookmarked a couple of YouTube videos that showed how to make simple dishes like spaghetti and meat sauce, and my sister promised to send over a couple of easy recipes later this week.
While the coffee brewed, I checked my morning schedule.
I had a client meeting at eleven and needed to complete some paperwork.
My listing coordinator, Lupe, was doing a great job handling work when I couldn’t be in the office, but I couldn’t have her covering for me indefinitely. It wouldn’t be fair.
“Uncle Marcus?”
Noah was standing in the kitchen doorway, already dressed. But instead of the Robin costume I had washed and placed in his dresser, he was wearing khaki pants and a white shirt, which was crooked because he had missed one of the buttonholes.
“Hey, you’re already dressed. Good job.” I walked over to him and dropped onto my haunches. I started fixing the buttons. “Where’s your costume?”
“I don’t want to wear it today.”
I paused in the middle of working on the second button to look into his eyes. He had been Robin for weeks.
“Why not?”
“I want to wear a tie, like you.”
Emotion clogged my throat as I realized he was dressed somewhat like me. Today I was wearing khaki pants, a dress shirt, a tie, and a jacket.
“You want to wear a tie?”
“Yes. Can I?”
I didn’t have a kid’s tie and hadn’t even thought about getting one, but Noah was looking at me with his big brown eyes full of hope and what looked suspiciously like admiration. If I could, I would’ve bought out every tie in the Houston department stores.
I continued working on the buttons. “I don’t have a tie that can fit you right now, buddy. But you know what we can do? After I pick you up from school today, we’ll go shopping and buy a couple. How does that sound?”
His face lit up. “Really?”
“Really. That way you’ll have options, depending on what you wear.” I finished fixing his shirt and tucked it into his pants. Then I stood and stepped back, eyeing him critically. “You know what though? You look pretty darn sharp, even without the tie.”
He straightened his spine and smoothed his shirt. “Thanks. I want to look like you.”
Geez, this kid. “I appreciate the compliment.”
“And you take care of me really good.” His voice softened. “Daddy would be happy.”
I lowered to his level again and pulled him into a hug, holding him tight while blinking back the burning in my eyes. This place was so freaking dusty. “I’m doing my best, and I think your dad would be proud of you too. You’re doing a really good job. You’re so brave and strong.”
“Can I still wear the Robin costume sometimes if I want to?”
“You sure can. Whenever you want.” We sealed the deal with a fist bump.
He sat down and had Pop-Tarts and orange juice, his legs swinging under the table.
Later, after I dropped him off at school, I went by one of the houses we had sold to pick up my signs from the yard before the new family moved in.
On the way to the office, I decided to give Julia a ring and ask her about going out with me.
I had intended to wait until later in the week, but why wait?
I knew she was feeling me just as much as I was feeling her.
Before I could call, my phone rang, and it was my frat brother, Jashaun.
There were three of us who had pledged on the same line and were still tight—me, Jashaun, and Elijah.
Jashaun was the most social of us and the one most in tune to the frat’s activities post-graduation.
He had recently found out he was the father to a little girl.
Elijah also had a little girl, who he parented alone after his wife left.
“Yo, what’s up?” I signaled to pass into the next lane.
“Nothing, man. I know you’ve been busy taking care of Noah. How’s he doing?”
I gave him an update on my godson’s progress and the trip to the zoo over the weekend.
“He’s really improving,” he remarked.
“It’s incredible. His therapist says he’s not completely out of the woods yet, but she is impressed by the change in his behavior and wants to continue seeing him for a while longer.”
“Isn’t he supposed to move to Tennessee next month?”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. I’m going to tell Zenobia that I want to wait so he can continue with therapy for a couple more months at least. I talked to the therapist about it, and she agrees that waiting is best.”
“His aunt isn’t going to like that.”
“Doesn’t matter what she likes. All that matters is what’s best for Noah, and I’m always going to do what’s best for him.”
“That’s what’s up. Good luck dealing with her though. You already have your hands full taking care of him, and having her give you a hard time doesn’t help.”
“I’m handling the situation for now.”
“Hey, remember the organization I told you about, the Single Dad Society?”
He had mentioned them before I started caring for Noah, so it had slipped my mind. “Yeah, I had forgotten about them.”
Jashaun worked for the city and had reviewed their proposal when they put in a bid for a permanent spot at a community center in town.
They received approval, and he had joined the organization and encouraged Elijah to join.
Both of them had praised the society for the support they provided to single fathers around the country.
“They’re the other reason I’m calling. They have events every month, and when the weather’s nice, they plan outdoor activities.
There’s one in a few weeks—Grill and Play Day at Levy Park.
You should come. I’ll have my daughter, and Elijah’s bringing his daughter.
The group will have all kinds of activities planned for the kids, so Noah should enjoy himself, and you’ll have a chance to meet some of the other men and learn more about the organization. ”
That sounded good to me, and I knew how much support the group provided. Attorney members often donated hours to provide legal counsel to fathers who wanted more time with their kids.
“I’ll be there. Text me the info.”
“Done.”
By the time we hung up, I was pulling into the Houston Realty parking lot. Before going inside, I dialed Julia’s number. A bout of nerves hit me, but I pressed send and waited to hear her sweet voice.
“Good morning, Marcus.”
A grin spread across my face. I couldn’t believe how hard I was cheesing. “Good morning. Do you have any idea why I’m calling?”
“No, not really,” she said in a guarded voice.
“I’m ready for you to give me an answer on whether or not you’ll go out with me.”
“I thought I’d have more time.”
I could hear the smile in her voice and the change in how she spoke. Women always developed a sing-song voice when they were pleased but trying to hide it.
“I can’t wait any longer. I need an answer.” I was talking big and bold, conveying more confidence than I felt. I had asked women out hundreds of times before, but this was different. More important. As if the stakes were higher. “I was thinking dinner on Saturday at a really nice restaurant.”
“Sounds fancy.”
“I can’t cook, but I can do fancy. So what do you think? You, me, a white tablecloth, a nice restaurant, and some good food?”
“What about Noah?”
“I’m going to check with his old babysitter, Mrs. Patterson. She always babysat Noah whenever his parents wanted a night out, and he’s familiar with her. I can drop him off with her while we go out to eat and then pick him up when we’re done—unless you want him to join us?”
“I think an adults-only evening sounds nice.” Her voice remained warm and inviting.
“Is that a yes?”
In my opinion, it took way too long for her to answer, but in reality, only seconds passed.
“Yes, and Saturday works.”
Excitement rushed through me. “I’ll call you later in the week with the details.”
“How dressed up should I be?”
“I’m taking you someplace where I have to wear a jacket and tie, so I’d suggest a nice dress. But sweetheart, you could wear a potato sack and you’d still look beautiful.”
“You’re such a smooth talker.”
I chuckled softly. “I try. I gotta run, but I’ll reach out in a couple of days.”
After we hung up, I walked into the building, my mood much lighter than I had been in a very long time.
Julia was different from other women I had been involved with in the past. I never cared to let any of them get close, but I felt as if she understood Noah and me.
She wasn’t just pretty. She made everything better with her presence.
When I walked into the office, my listing coordinator, Lupe, narrowed her eyes as she followed me into my office.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, dropping my satchel on my desk.
“You have a certain look about you, as if you asked a pretty girl out and she said yes.” She handed me a manila folder. She had no idea how on target her suspicions were.
“What’s this?”
“The Jacksons countered, but they’re willing to increase the offer by five thousand if the sellers include the appliances.”
I opened the folder and forced my attention to the words on the paper instead of thinking about Julia and our plans for Saturday. I wanted to impress her and had a few ideas of places to take her.
“Thanks. I’ll let the seller know.” I rounded the desk and sat in my chair.
“By the way, whatever you have going on, I’m happy for you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I figured you’d be upset you have all this extra work to do.”
“To be honest, I like the extra work. It’s good experience because one of these days I want to do what you do. Besides, you seem happier. I guess things are going well with the ninito?”
I suddenly realized that I had a whole village of people who cared about me and Noah and wanted what was best for us. Just this morning, including Lupe, I talked to three people who had shown interest in our welfare.
“Much better. He’s thriving.”
As she walked away, I felt as if my life was turning a corner.
Business was good with Lupe and my other assistants holding down the fort.
I was going to get involved with the Single Dad Society, which would expand my village and could prove helpful in the next few months as I worked with Noah.
Because I wasn’t going to let him go to Tennessee and have his therapy sessions disrupted. Zenobia would have to deal.
Then there was Julia, another bright spot in my life.
Saturday couldn’t come fast enough.