“And you call me hardheaded. I wonder where I get that shit from.”
“Your damn daddy. Now, hush. How’s school going? You been missing. Catch me up.”
“Great,” I said, blushing like a fuckin’ lame before I could catch myself.
“Great, huh?” She grinned, curiosity lighting up her face. “Boy, school’s never been great to you. You’ve always hated it and skipped. Only went to college ‘cause nana stayed on your ass. Who isshe?”
We both laughed, knowing I stayed flirting and pursuing. A pretty face had always been my weakness. But this time was different for me. I wanted more than just to fuck. Ms. Mosley didn’t even have to spread her legs for me off the rip. Something in me just wanted to take her out and spoil her pretty ass while getting to know her on a deeper level.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen you like this about school. It’s got to be a girl involved.”
I shook my head, giving her a look. “She bad, ma.” I admitted.
“Mmhmm, I believe you. She got to be truly special to have you grinning like that. What’s her name?”
“Nia’Rose,”
“Nia’Rose? Ooh, that’s different and pretty. Have you made your move yet?”
“I tried,” I kept it real.
My T lady and I were like best friends; I could talk to her about anything. It wasn’t the first time we shared insights into our love lives. When I was growing up, we had one rule: don’t bring anyone home unless we were serious about them. She established that rule to prevent different men from coming in and out of my life, and I respected her so much for that shit. Despite the grudge she held against my father for consistently breaking her heart, she stood firm on the belief that I already had a father and didn’t need another one.
Her brows dipped. “What lil chicken head done turned my son down ‘cause aht aht.”
We laughed in unison.
“I won’t hold you. She shot me down for good reason. I’m puttin' in that work though.”
“Hmph, well okay then. I ain’t never heard you talk like this. She must be a really good girl.”
“She is fasho.”
“Okay,” She smiled. “Well, in the meantime, you still have mama to take care of you. Do you have anything to eat at home? I cooked a little something. I can fix you a plate.”
“Nah, my fridge empty. I was planning to grab something on my way to the club tonight. I'm meeting Peanut and them in a few hours. It’s lil Josh’s birthday.”
Without missing a beat, my T lady shot up and headed into the kitchen. I knew it was pointless to tell her to stop and that I could fix my plate. Her ass wouldn’t listen.
“How old lil Josh turning?” She questioned from afar. “I talked to Peanut this morning, and he didn’t even tell me it was his birthday.”
“Nineteen, so you know we gotta show out.”
“Oh lord. Well, make sure to tell that knucklehead I said happy birthday. It feels like just yesterday y’all were all running around my house getting into trouble. Time flies by so fast.”
“Yep, will do.”
“And please watch your liquor intake, son. If I wake up to news that you hurt because you done flipped that car over, I’ll blow up Peanut, Lil Josh, and that entire gotdamn club.”
“Now how you gon blow them folks up ‘cause I done fucked up?”
“You heard what I said.”
I chuckled, shaking my head at her dramatics. “I got you, woman.”
“Enjoy,” she said, handing me my food. The spaghetti she made smelled good as fuck. “And big boy is staying with me tonight.” She glanced down at Black. “You okay with that, baby? We can snuggle up and watch movies while daddy goes out to trick. I got everything you need here.”
Black barked, hopping onto the couch next to her as I dug into my meal. The warmth of the food and the comfort of being home felt good as hell.