Page 74 of Maceo

“Yes… what was that?” she asked someone in the background. “You should have gotten an email receipt. Maybe check your spam. My co-worker said she left with a gentleman.”

“One with a scar on his face?”

She relayed the question. “Yes.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I hung up, frustrated that this bitch was now in the wind. There was nothing I could do right now, so I guess it was just a waiting game. Shaking the thoughts from my head, I went to the side of town where Shar’s people lived. Fifteen minutes later, I swung my SUV into the driveway and got out, shoving the ring box into my pocket. The garage was up, and Mr. Paul was sitting in his favorite recliner, watching a football game on his flat screen and smoking a blunt. Just from the smell, I could tell he was smoking the weed I’d given him for his birthday.

He looked up at me, giving me a head nod. “What’s up, nigga?”

“Ain’t nothing.” I dapped him. “I see you over here, lit by yourself.”

He grinned. “This is some good shit.”

“I know.”

The side door opened, and Ms. Cicely walked out with a sandwich, chips, and a beer. Kilow and Damaris strolled out behind her.

“Hey, Maceo,” she said, handing him the plate and offering me a hug.

“How you doing, Ms. Cicely?”

“I’m good, baby.”

“What’s up, bruh?” I asked, dapping Kilow and Damaris.

“Ain’t nothing,” Damaris answered. “Dad, we’re about to go play ball at the courts.”

“Be back before it gets dark. Y’all know how those fools get as soon as the streetlights come on.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kilow looked up at me with a grin. “You seen my lady today?”

“Boy, get your ass outta here.” I playfully slapped the back of his head.

He was never going to let me hear the end of my little sister liking him back. He laughed as he and his brother ran out of the garage.

“What brings you by?” Ms. Cicely asked.

“I uh… I wanted to talk to y’all about something.”

They looked at each other, then at me. Mr. Paul set the plate down, then pulled his wife into his lap.

“Speak on it,” he said.

“Well, y’all know how much I love Sharina. That’s my baby. I can’t picture me without there being an us. I um… I wanted to ask?—”

“Oh my God!” Ms. Cicely squealed, covering her mouth. She slapped her husband’s arm. “He’s gonna ask to marry her!”

“Well, let the nigga get it out, baby,” Mr. Paul said, chuckling. “Go on, Maceo.”

“I did want to ask for your blessing. Shar would be in good hands. She already has everything she could want and need, and she’ll always be protected and taken care of. I hope that you can trust me with your daughter because I want her to be my wife.”

Mrs. Cicely started crying as she stood to hug me. Mr. Paul stood as well and pulled me into a hug.

“All right now,” he jested. “You take her, you can’t bring her back.”

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