Page 122 of Dizzy

“No!” Charge and I answer at the same time.

“Can we get a brat then?”

“Ain’t done yet. Go get a hot dog from Ernestine.”

“Okay.” They tear off for the picnic table buffet the old ladies have laid out, but they get distracted mid-way and head off toward Parker who’s sittin’ under Shirlene and Twitch’s tree, playing games on his phone.

That boy’s face is stuck to a screen way too much. Maybe dirt bikes ain’t enough of a challenge anymore. Maybe he’s ready to restore his first motorcycle. Big George has a basket case he took off a divorced lady cleaning out her garage. I’ll ask Fay-Lee to look into it.

She likes to act as if she don’t care—and she hates it if anyone calls her a stepmom—but she loves doin’ things for the kids. She’s always goin’ on about how she ain’t old enough to be their mother, so they best pick their own shit up and close the damn door—we ain’t air conditionin’ the neighborhood.

Gets real pissed when I point out she sounds just like my mother.

We been gettin’ into it ourselves a bit—Fay-Lee and I. I’d like another kid. I want her waddling around the house, front heavy and about to tip. She’s an amazing mom already. In her folding chair, cheerin’ for Parker and Carson at every game. Sneakin’ them cash whenever they ask. Pickin’ them back up when life throws ‘em disappointments.

When Sharon’s “opportunity” out of town turned into a fulltime job in Pyle, she suggested the boys stay with us most of the time—to keep their schooling consistent, she said. Fay-Lee didn’t bat an eye. She was up at the next PTA meeting. Got disinvited, too, ‘cause she motherfucked a mom who made a remark about her age.

Anyway, I know she’d love havin’ a baby of her own, but she don’t wanna lose her freedom. She don’t want to be a drudge, doin’ for other people all day. Unappreciated.

What with managing the office at Big George’s, fixin’ up the new house I bought her last year, and fussin’ over the boys, she does do for other people all day. I don’t think she’d be happy to hear it, though, so I keep it to myself.

I brought up havin’ a kid one time, a few months back. She said no. I dropped it. She brings it up at least once a week. Almost daily now. Tells me all the reasons she don’t want to be a mom.

She don’t like coffee dates with other women and book clubs and paint nights. She thinks organic food is a scam. She likes cussin’ too much.

I don’t see what that’s got to do with havin’ a baby, but I’m a man. I’m sure she’s got her logic.

While Charge and I been grillin’ and commiserating in silence, Nickel has ventured over. His eyes are flickin’ all over the yard. He’s lookin’ for Story.

“She’s inside,” I say.

He grunts. Doesn’t respond. But his eyes narrow on the back door.

“Beer?” Charge asks, half-rising and grabbing three cold ones from the cooler.

Nickel and I hold out our hands. Charge slaps icy, wet bottles into our palms. I sip as I take off the sausages and lay them on a plate lined with a paper towel. Perfect.

I beckon the ladies, and Deb sends Angel over to grab them. I put a few more on the grill. Don’t want anyone to go hungry.

“Why don’t you go in there, Dizzy? See what’s goin’ on?” Charge nods toward the clubhouse.

“I’m cookin’, man. Andmywoman’s fine.”

“What’s goin’ on?” Nickel tenses and swells, pumped with adrenaline. Instantly, he’s ready to kill. Jesus Christ. It’s a handy thing—one I’ll always be grateful for—when a man has a knife at your woman’s throat. Or when a former brother turns on his club for mere money and needs to be put down.

On a random Sunday afternoon at a family picnic? It’s unsettling.

I clap a hand on his back. “Relax. It’s nothin’. Charge has got woman trouble.”

Nickel sniffs and cracks his neck. You can see it. He’s got this dark energy now, and he don’t know what to do with it.

“Looks like Bullet’s tryin’ to get something going over by the fire pit,” I point out. It’s early for the sparring to start, but Wall and the prospect Roosevelt are gathered there, messin’ around.

Nickel nods. “Peace,” he says as he stalks away.

Charge shakes his head. “I don’t get why he don’t claim her. Story’s been after him forever. She ain’t gonna turn him down.”

“I’m sure the man has his reasons.”

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