Page 37 of Until the Ink Dries

“Little girl, you were sleeping. How do you know we watched two movies?” I asked.

Charlie gripped her hips and smiled.

“Because I was pretending! I fake sleeped,” she admitted.

I shook my head and pulled one of her ponytails playfully.

“Man, I leave you around your grandma too much.”

My mother kissed her teeth and walked over to kiss Charlie’s cheek.

“Not too much on my grandbaby.”

“Y’all grandbaby about to move right in with you. Your husband giving her candy before dinner and now you got her trying to play matchmaker. Charlie, Willow is just a friend, baby. Nothing more.”

Charlie pouted and laid her head against my pops’ shoulder. I was going to need this bathroom break now more than anything. I knew my mom wasn’t going to let up on this conversation.

“You wouldn’t be able to stay away if she did move in here,” my mother said back.

I made my way toward the bathroom as my mom yelled at my back.

“Don’t think this conversation is over. I need to hear all about this woman.”

I dragged a hand down my face and went to the bathroom. These folks were set on driving me crazy this Sunday.

* * *

BLACK THORNS BLOCK PARTY FUNDRAISER

The sun was beating down hard as hell today and had been all week. Between me working on tattoos and taking care of Charlie, it took all my energy. If I hadn’t signed up with Duke to be part of the Black Thorns Block Party giveaway in Thorn Parkway, I would have been chilling in the damn house.

I joined the Black Thorns bikers’ club a few years after high school. By that time, Duke’s ass was running the shit, which was crazy to me. I used to ride with them all the time, but soon as Charlie came into the picture, my time was limited. I found myself only able to make it to things like this. We tried to help the lower income communities like Thorn Parkway as much as we could.

I held onto Charlie’s hand while she held a small backpack, and I carried the rest in my free hand. I always made sure she was a part of the setup. I wanted her to build character and be the best person she could be.

“Daddy, it’s hot out here!”

I glanced down to see little beads of sweat sliding down the side of her face. I nodded and continued to walk toward the tables to the left of us. Duke was standing behind them, giving instructions to one of the other guys.

I laid the bags I was holding down and then took the one from Charlie before lifting her into my arms. She laid her head against my shoulder like I had overworked her. My baby was so dramatic, but I would let her have it this time because it was hot as hell out here today. I don’t know if it was because of the location or if the weather was just on different shit today.

Duke walked over with a green freeze pop in his hand and held it out to Charlie. She perked up the moment she saw it, but before she took it, she looked back at me for permission. I sat her on the table.

“Go head, baby.” I told her.

She danced in her seat and then waited as Duke cut the top of it so she could get to it. Once she was preoccupied, I made sure to let her know not to get up from this spot.

“Okay!” she responded.

I walked a few steps away from her to help Duke set the bags up.

“You out here overworking lil’ mama.” Duke commented with a chuckle.

I laughed. “Nah, she got to learn to do her part in the community. She gone be alright with the way y’all spoil her.”

Duke shook his head but continued lining things up.

“What’s this I hear about you and Willow kicking it heavy?” Duke asked.

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