Page 173 of Save Room for Us

“Can’t nobody make me believe shit. There you go still thinking I’m a fucking kid.”

“Well, you need to listen when I say I love you and always have. I’m going to do better if you just allow me to.” She scooted closer.

“When is my birthday, Nori?”

“Huh?” She frowned, giving me my answer. Anytime a muthafucka acted like they didn’t understand a simple question, it was because they didn’t know the simple fucking answer.

“Shit, how old am I?” I laughed, knowing she had no idea. I’d suspected it when I revealed that I was nineteen when she got out of the asylum, and she hesitated a bit like she didn’t know that. “What did I like to eat when I was a kid? What did I like to do?” I went on, and when she just stared at me, mouth opening and closing like she couldn’t decide on what to say, I blew up. “You gave birth to me, and you can’t fucking tell me what day it happened!” I snapped, and she jumped back some. “Get the fuck out.” I stood, calming down. She had me acting out of character, and I wasn’t fucking with it.

“Asif, wait, baby?—”

“Get out, Nori, or I swear to God I won’t go as easy on you as my pops did. Where I send you, you won’t be able to come back from.”

Her misty eyes drank me in for a minute before she snatched her bag from the couch and stomped out, slamming the door behind her.

Falling back onto the couch, I grunted while running my hands down my face.

If I never saw her ass again, it’d be too fucking soon.

One of Yolani’s songs played softly over the St. Thomas Financial Gala where we’d be officially announcing the Black Homeowner loan as well as the Black Business Owner loan and its requirements. It was the weekend, but the application would go live Monday morning, and I couldn’t wait. It was time to put my people back on.

“This is so nice, son.” Lisara walked up to hug me. “And you look so good together.” She hugged Anastazia.

“I appreciate that, Ma.” I smiled at her as my dad came over to hug my girl and then slap hands with me.

“You want something from the food bar?” Anastazia asked, and I shook my head before pecking her, then she was off.

My dad’s greedy ass followed, heading right over to the table carrying the best of the best. Since he didn’t have to give a speech or nothing tonight, I knew he was gon’ eat his weight in pork chops.

“Old man better ease up on the pork,” I joked.

“I told him that, and he says he can’t live without them.” Lisara simpered before we chuckled. My father used to have a strict diet back in the day, because of his cancer, but I guess being in a happy relationship had him switching that shit up.

I put my hand on top of hers and clutched it, making her pause sipping on her champagne.

“It’s nothing bad,” I said, seeing the worried look on her face. “I just want you to know I appreciate you, Ma. You make it look easy with all of us, and I know it’s not. Even more so now thanbefore. Not everybody is built to be a mother and a phenomenal one at that.”

“Aww, thank you.” She touched my hair and leaned up to kiss my cheek, gripping my hand tighter. “What made you say this though?”

“It’s true.” I shrugged, sipping my drink.

“It is, and I know you always felt this way, but something seems a little different.”

Staring at Dustin, one of the loan officers, making his speech, I shrugged. “Being around Nori made me realize she for real never cared, and not even intentionally; she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. I was a chess piece then and even now. So, I wanted you to know that I always appreciated you, but now even more so.” I finally gave her my eyes.

“I hope you know it’sherwho is missing out.” She continued caressing my locs. “And she doesn’t deserve to come into your life this late in the game and experience the man you’ve become. She gets no credit, only Chianti.”

“You too.” I kissed her face.

“I mean, of course me. I was trying to throw your father a bone. I did all the work with you.”

We laughed just as Anastazia and my pops came back to the table. The laughter extended when I saw this nigga had two fried pork chops on his plate.

“I know you didn’t want anything, but they had pecan pie cups, and you love pecan pie.” Anastazia smiled up at me as my mom went in on my dad’s choice to grab two pieces of pork. “What?” she asked since I was just staring down at her.

“I love you, for real.”

“I love you too.” She brightened before tilting her head back for a kiss.

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