Page 38 of Make Me Remember

I was lying on Jacob’s couch, holding LaTee in my arms while he fixed us some ice cream. My nerves were frazzled. I didn’t care about what I saw. I just hated that LaTee had to be exposed to the shit. I slowly shook my head at the thought. I was gonna beat that bitch’s face in. She was fucking with the right ones today though. I thought Mercedes was bad. I felt sorry for Cassie. That woman literally hated her… her own flesh and blood. I didn’t understand that at all.

That shit triggered the fuck out of me, though. Mercedes and Keonshay had gotten into a couple of fights. Everything Mercedes did wasn’t to intentionally hurt us. She was the one that was hurting and didn’t know how to heal. I didn’t know what Shayla’s excuse was. She looked like she was dead on that floor. Jess was ruthless. I knew I liked her ass for a reason. I could have used somebody like her on my team back in the day. I was surprised at Cassie. She was kind of quiet in school, but she was the exact opposite now.

The doorbell rang as Jacob brought our ice cream to us in bowls. LaTee’s had sprinkles on it, and mine had chocolate syrup. I smiled at her as she tasted the first spoon. Although she was scared when shit popped off, she didn’t seem to be bothered now. I was grateful for that. When Jacob came back, he had his mother with him.

She smiled politely and sat next to LaTee. “Hi, Grandma Jen. I’m still thinking about something fabulous to call you.”

Mrs. Jenahra chuckled and hugged her. “Hey, sweetie. You okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. Are you?”

“Yes. I was just worried about you and your mom, along with our other guests. How long will y’all be out here?” Mrs. Jenahra asked, turning her attention to me.

“Until it starts to get dark.”

“Can I cook dinner for y’all?”

“No, ma’am. You have enough on your plate. There will be other times.”

She smiled at me and reached across LaTee for my hand. When I grabbed hers, she gave mine a squeeze. “I’m so sorry for what happened today. The Hendersons are loving people, but we aren’t pushovers. I’m too old for that sort of foolishness now. Tiffany almost is too. I’m pretty sure she’ll be soaking in Epsom Salt and rubbing down with Bengay tonight.”

She giggled as I smiled. After hugging LaTee, she stood, and I did too. I hugged her and she said, “I guess your welcome to the family was truly unforgettable.”

I gave her a one-sided smile. “Right.”

“I hope to see you again soon, baby.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I sat back down to finish my ice cream. Jacob joined us with a huge bowl of ice cream, topped with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and caramel. I slowly shook my head. “I’m glad we won’t be here when you have to pay for that.”

He stared at me, his lip twitching. When he finally bit the bottom one, I laughed. He was doing everything he could to hold in his laughter. “That’s okay. It’ll be worth it.”

I frowned and turned my lip up. “Daddy, can I taste yours?”

I couldn’t get over just how quickly she took to Jacob. Her calling him daddy frequently already had me in my feelings big time. Jacob’s words that he’d spoken when we got to the diner revisited me in this moment. He ended up having to back those words up quick as hell today. The way he rushed into the diner, found us, and shielded us from the drama, leaving himself open to whatever came, made the anger swirling inside of me take a break.

His mother and sister were both there, along with other members of his family, all of whom he’d known from birth, but LaTee and I were his first priorities… seemingly his only priorities. I didn’t see him check on anyone else while we were there.

When we got here, he’d made phone calls, but that was only after we were safe and comfortable. Mrs. Jen was right. I would never forget today. It marked the day that I chose to dive in completely. I looked over at Jacob and asked, “When would you like to meet my family?”

His eyebrows lifted. “For real? Whenever you want me to. I’m always available for you, baby.”

God! I wanted to hop his bones so bad right now. I nodded and finished my ice cream as LaTee did the same. “That was so good! Thank you!”

“You’re welcome, baby girl.”

I watched LaTee head to the kitchen with her bowl like she lived here, but I could see Jacob closing in the space between us in my peripheral. I turned to him and smiled. This man knew what it meant to love a woman. I still couldn’t believe he’d said it first. He slid his fingertips over my cheek, and just as he was about to lean in, the doorbell rang. He frowned then went to the door while I watched him.

I heard someone say, “Y’all ain’t doing shit since her daughter is here. Move out the way.”

I quickly recognized the voice of his Uncle Storm. I took a deep breath, trying to remember not to take this nigga so seriously. When he walked into the room, LaTee was coming back to the couch to sit with me. Her head fell back as she stared up at him. “Wow. You are so tall! Are you a basketball player?”

“Naw. I’m just the boss of Big City Nome, baby. I’m Uncle Storm.”

“Storm? Really? One of my teddy bears is named Storm.”

“I can promise you, I ain’t nothing like a teddy bear.”

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