Page 4 of Ride

I was grateful he wasn’t a crazy stranger on the highway that picked up us, but at the same time having a reunion under these circumstances was weird. I checked over my parents’ old block, slipped down in my seat, and looked in the back to check on my pumpkin. He was knocked out in his car seat with drool running down his chin.

“Surprised to see you driving yourself on the road like a normal person.” All of his family and friends knew Laikin would make it in sports, from basketball and track to racing. His parents and mine were close because we all lived in the same neighborhood growing up. From what I’d heard, he moved them to a bigger house after he got signed and had endorsements deals.

Laikin stared at me for a moment before licking his lips. “You still do that?”

I slouched back. “Do what?”

He scratched the top of his head. “Change the subject.”

“What are you talking about?” I stared back at him in confusion.

“Nothing, Pepper.”

That nickname was the last thing I figured he would call me after so many years. It became his signature joke between us because I loved pepper on almost all the food I ate growing up. I loved spicy foods in general, plus with extra pepper, and it stuck so much that even my family wanted to call me Pepper, but I put a stop to it.

I playfully nudged him with my elbow. “I haven't heard that name in years.”

“I'm the only one that should call you that.” We parked in front of my parents’ two-story home that I hadn't seen since I was in my early twenties. I had stopped visiting, only talking on the phone. I felt like they hated me for leaving.

I shook my head, removing my seatbelt. “Still cocky.”

“Are you hungry? I can go grab that pizza for the little guy.”

“No, I can handle getting dinner prepared.”

“Are you sure? What about the little man? It might be faster to grab pizza.”

Nibbling on my bottom lip, I realized we hadn't eaten for a few hours after getting on the flight from Atlanta. I’d had a few snacks, but no real food. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I was starving, and my parents barely cooked now that it was just them.

“We can order something to eat.”

“All right, Pepper, hopefully, Kayne didn't pick up your bad habits.” He smiled and I shoved him on the shoulder at his silly joke. Opening my door, I went to grab Kayne from the back seat. Laikin surprised me and removed him from the car seat, then picked up his tablet and jacket. Lifting some of our things, I made a reminder to call the tow truck company to bring my car to the shop and got the rest of our bags.

“I can carry him. I know he’s heavy.”

“He’s good in my hands.”

“Amena.” I froze at the low grumbly voice, taking in my father’s five-ten height, square shoulders, gray beard, and short afro he’d had since I was younger.

He approached the end of the porch and I stepped forward, waiting to see whether the raised eyebrows meant I was welcome or not.

“Come give your daddy a hug, little girl.”

Running into his arms, I felt like that little girl who always wanted to be protected by her dad and have his attention and love all the time.

A part of me knew I was wrong for taking off without telling my parents too many details. At the time, I thought I knew everything, and living in my parents’ house was stifling.

A throat cleared behind me. Forgetting Laikin, I reached to take Kayne out of his arms, and my dad shook hands with Laikin.

“Is this my grandson looking grown now?” Dad took Kayne, rubbing his back. They saw pictures after the birth, and talked with him on FaceTime, but my son wasn't close to my parents. Partially, it was because of my marriage to Virgil. We couldn’t visit my side of the family because he was the priority; it was always all about his career and his family.

Kayne started to fuss, which meant he was hungry and ready to play with his toys. Dad whirled around and headed to the front door. I tried to grab my things out of Laikin’s hand, but he refused. My dad sat down on the couch, peering at me and holding the TV remote.

“Amena, when did you run into Laikin?”

“Brock, who are you talking to in there?” Mom shouted, coming into the living room.

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