Page 126 of Maceo

Life was moving on, but there was still this cloud looming over my head. Maceo was constantly asking me if I was okay, and while I was physically, the whole thing was an eye opener for me. That was why I was here to see my father-in-law.

The sound of footsteps approaching pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up, expecting to see Senior, but instead, I saw Maddie. She was dressed in a long, floral Kimono robe and furry slippers, with her long hair flowing freely.

“Ms. Maddie? What are you doing here?”

“Chile, I think you already know. Let’s not play games.”

I smirked. “You couldn’t stay away, huh?”

“I have needs. That’s all.” She sat next to me and pulled me into a motherly hug. “What brings you by?”

“I just wanted to talk to Senior about something.”

She nodded. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m… fine. As fine as I can be.”

“I’m here if you want to talk.”

“I appreciate that.”

Approaching footsteps alerted us of Senior’s presence. Maddie kissed my cheek before standing and leaving the room.Senior took a seat across from me and leaned forward on his elbows.

“What can I do for you, baby girl?” he asked, sitting back.

“I um… I wanted to ask you for something.”

“What is it?”

“I want to join your organization.”

“Sharina—”

“Let me finish. You know I used to be a CNA. I may be hard on the outside, but I have a soft spot for caring for others.”

He nodded. “I see that with Salima and Darlyn.”

“Working with Maceo and the guys only softened that spot even more, especially for people who, otherwise, would have been forgotten by the masses. I don’t want to be in the field, but I still want to help in some way. I know your family has several nonprofits. Either I can help with those or start my own. Either way, I want… Ineed… to be a part of something bigger.”

“How are you going to explain this to your parents?”

“As long as I’m working within the community, they will understand.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because they know my heart better than anyone.”

He stared at me for a moment before a smile broke out on his face. “Okay. I’m sure I can find a position for you. If not, I’ll create one.”

I smiled. “Thank you, Senior.”

“You might as well call me Pops. You’re my daughter at this point. I still can’t believe you niggas went and got married without us.”

“How did you even find out?” I questioned, genuinely curious.

He chuckled. “I was coming to talk to y’all, and I heard your vows. Man, that shit brought a grown man to tears. I know I didn’t provide the best example of a loving relationship to mykids, but the fact that at least two of them know how to love with their whole hearts makes me feel like I did something right.”

“You may not have provided the best example of a loving relationship, but you want to know what I see when I look at Maceo? A man that was provided with unconditional love. He was taught to be a provider. He knows that it’s okay to be vulnerable as a man while still being the fiercest protector. I know that’s because of you and Mrs. Allison. Even if you two didn’t work out, you both raised a good man.”

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