Page 42 of Maceo

“Auntie, did you just call my baby fat?”

“She’s a butterball. Don’t worry. Once she starts walking, she will slim down. For now, enjoy her looking like the Michelin man’s baby.”

“Mama, please!” I said, cackling. “Leave my juicy mamas alone. She gives good cuddles.”

“Salima, when can we keep her for a night or two? I know you and that husband of yours could use some privacy.”

“You can keep her this weekend, Auntie. You’re gonna have to share it with my mom, though. She asked for her on Friday.”

“That’s fine with me. Paul is going to spoil her rotten. You know that man had the nerve to ask me about another baby not too long ago?”

I fell out laughing. “You know Daddy said y’all don’t be bumping uglies, y’all be fu?—”

“I know you better watch your mouth just like he better stop telling all of our damn business.”

Salima laughed. “It’s okay, Auntie. I hope it’s still like that when we get older.”

“A word of advice from someone who’s been married a long time: It gets better with age. Now, you might not be all that flexible, but there is a lot you can still do to please each other.”

I cut her off. “Okay, Mommy. We don’t want a sex ed class. I don’t need that visual. I literally told Daddy that on his birthday.”

My mother rolled her eyes. We talked to Salima and Darlyn for a little while longer while my mom finished dinner. By the time she’d plated everything, my father was walking through the door. As always, I turned on some music and started dancing with him. It didn’t matter how tired he was, when he saw me, he always saved me a dance. Kilow and Damaris came back downstairs and joined in with us.

Right in the middle of the kitchen, the four of us started doing the Kid-N-Play dance to one of their songs. My mother watched, shaking her head and laughing. I lived for moments like these. It took me back to my childhood, back when life was simple, and I was happy without a care in the world. This was the type of shit I wanted with my own kids one of these days.

I thought about what Maceo promised me after we were done with the next few missions. Marriage. Kids. Traveling together. Just living and being happy. I couldn’t wait for that.

After leaving my parents,I headed for home. I had to make a quick stop to get gas because if I didn’t, I was going to be on the side of the road. I decided to stop at The Fill Station. It was one of those huge gas stations that doubled as a convenience store. They carried all types of shit. You could get gas, shop, and grab some of the best food all in one place.

My guilty pleasure from here was the store brand beaver nuggets. They were sweet corn puffs, and I was addicted to them. I had it so bad that I made Maceo order them for me by the case. Even though I had some at the house, I always stopped to get a bag whenever I was near here.

As I got out to pump my gas, I surveyed the parking lot. Per usual, it was packed. As I looked around, my eyes landed on someone familiar. It was the guy Charity introduced to me as Blane. Even now, seeing him sent a chill up my spine, the same as it had three days ago. He was driving a nice ass black-on-black Rolls Royce Cullinan that looked like it was fresh out of the factory.

I hid behind the gas pump and watched as he rounded the driver’s side and opened the door. Charity got out, looking as fly as she did at the restaurant, and they headed into the store. I quickly finished pumping my gas and headed toward the building. Discreetly, I took a picture of the license plate before walking inside.

As I made my way to the aisle that had the beaver nuts, I made sure to stay out of their eyesight. They were standing infront of the beverages, talking low. I tried to get closer so I could hear without being seen.

“You need to do what the fuck I asked you to do,” he said to her in a gruff tone.

“I told you, I need time. It’s not that easy.”

“You wouldn’t be doing shit you ain’t used to doing.”

“It doesn’t fucking matter. It’s too soon, and I’m not talking about that shit here.”

She stormed off, leaving him standing there looking after her. What had he asked her to do? Maybe I was tripping. Maybe hewasjust her trick, and she was selling pussy. Maybe he was her pimp or some shit. Even thinking that sounded like bullshit. They were way too comfortable with each other for people who claimed to have just met. I decided right then that I was going to have to enlist Jaeda to help me. She hated keeping secrets from her family, but she was going to have to suck this one up.

Turning around, I grabbed my beaver nuggets and walked to the end of the aisle. As I went to turn the corner, I ran smack into this bitch.

“Sharina,” she said, offering a smile. “I keep seeing you everywhere. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were following me.”

“I’m glad you know better then,” I answered, returning the smile. “I stopped for gas.”

“I see. How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“How’s Maceo?”

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