Page 16 of Amaze

“Be honest with me, Dad. My mom won’t tell me anything. She thinks I’m a kid.”

“I don’t know, but I think she could be. I don’t want to take the risk. She feels like letting you keep your routine and staying at your school is more important than worrying about what could happen to her.”

“I understand, Dad. If it means keeping her safe, I don’t mind moving.”

“Thank you,” I said, throwing my arms around him and pulling him against my chest. I kissed the top of his head before holding him at arm’s length. “I would give my life before I let anything happen to you or your mother. You hear me?”

“Yes, sir.” He nodded his understanding. “I know you would.”

“Good.”

“Aw, look at my boys bonding,” Wesley stated as she emerged from the bedroom.

“Mom, come on now. Why you gotta be all mushy all the time?”

“Let my baby be mushy,” I said, walking over and hugging her to me.

She smelled amazing and looked even better in a fitted light purple dress. If we didn’t have plans already, I would have been trying to figure out how to get her out of it. I would just have to send Anthony to the store or something.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to waste. I knew she would shut me down even if I tried. The sound of motorcycles roaring grabbed my attention. Since I had to go to church, I made sure that AJ and Lade were going to be there too. I wasn’t about to suffer alone.

“Lade and your uncle AJ are here,” I told Anthony as I moved toward the door.

I knew those heathens were going to have a lot to say, so I planned to take everybody out for lunch after church. It was the least I could do. I opened the door and burst out laughing at the sight of both of them in suits.

“What’s so funny, you ugly bastard?” Lade asked.

“For starters, you in that monkey suit.”

“Don’t hate, Maze. You know we look good,” AJ countered.

“I’m not gon’ lie. You look decent. I just haven’t seen Lade in a suit since he went to court for assault that time.”

“That was six years ago.” Lade shook his head.

“And it looks like the same suit.”

“For your information, it is. I take care of myself, so it still fits after all this time.”

“I’m fucking with y’all. You look good. Thank you for doing this for me.”

“Anything for the fam,” AJ commented.

“You act like you were asking for a kidney. You’re the one that hates church. I go to church,” Lade noted.

“I do too.” AJ shrugged.

“I don’t hate church. I just have a hard time supporting organized religion.”

“But organized crime is OK?” Wesley interjected.

“No, it’s not. That’s why I run a reputable business. I want to have something that I’m proud to leave behind for my son if he wants it.”

“You won’t even let me ride yet.” AJ chimed in.

“Your lessons are going to start soon. Once your mom finds us a new place, we will get started.”

“You ain’t putting my son on one of those death traps, Amaze.” Wesley warned me.

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