Page 44 of Until the Ink Dries

“Ms. Willow, you’re going to wear it forever, right?” she asked her, then poked her bottom lip out.

The child would go to wide lengths to make sure she got her way. Willow stooped down to her level so they could be eye to eye.

“I’m going to do my best, but I don’t want it to get ruined because we’re best friends now, according to this bracelet.”

Charlie nodded quickly, then wrapped her arms around Willow’s neck. I couldn’t hear what Willow was whispering in her ear, but whatever it was, Charlie was excited about it. I stuffed my hands into my pockets and waited. Charlie unwrapped her arms from around her neck and skipped to me to hold my hand.

“Okay! I’m ready for the bounce house now.”

I nodded and took Charlie to the bounce house. The moment she got there, she took off to play with the other kids. There were tables scattered around the area for the parents, so Willow picked a table and took a seat.

“You cool with me grabbing something for Charlie real quick? I can get you something, too. I’m not going far, just to that food truck over there.” I said, pointing at the truck selling nachos and lemonade.

“You don’t have to ask me that. Of course, go ‘head. You also don’t have to get me anything.” She responded.

“I’m not hearing none of that. What do you like?”

She held my glare for a minute before finally giving in.

“I’ll take a lemonade and nachos or popcorn.”

“Cool, I’ll be right back.”

I turned and made my way to the truck. The line wasn’t too long, but it was long enough for me to figure out what I wanted. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and bobbed my head to the music. Someone cleared their throat behind me. I peered over my shoulder and Tierra was standing in black leather shorts and a top with tears in it. Her hair was tied up with a few curls dropping in her face.

She looked nice, but all I could think about was how she got the money to be dressing like this and all she ever did was ask me for money. Not to mention, the last time I saw her, I told her to stay the fuck away from me and Charlie. So, I couldn’t understand why she was trying to get my attention in the first place. I turned back around to face the truck, since it was only two more people ahead of me.

Tierra wrapped her arms around my waist, trying to hug me from behind. I quickly removed the hold she had on me. She walked around to stand in front of me with her hands gripping her hips.

“Don’t tell me you’re still mad over that little incident,” she said with disdain.

I chuckled because it was all I could do not to give her the energy she wanted from me. I wasn’t in the mood and I didn’t have plans to ruin my night or Charlie’s with her shit.

“When I told you to keep your muthafucking distance, it wasn’t a game. Go find something safe to do, Tierra.”

I walked around her and placed my order. I stepped over to the side so they could make it and take the next order. Tierra still hadn’t gotten the hint and was visibly more pissed than when she first approached me. I knew it was because she was used to me feeding into her bullshit, but that was done. I had tried and the funny thing is, she didn’t even come over here concerned about our daughter. It was always about me and that was one thing she might as well not bet her life on. I wasn’t going back in her direction if someone paid me.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Willow laughing with Charlie. I hadn’t noticed her coming out of the bounce house because I was talking with Tierra. I turned to look back toward the truck and Tierra was still standing in front of me, but I no longer held her attention. She was now focused on Willow with Charlie. When she glanced back in my direction, tears pooled in her eyes and her jaw tightened. Her fist was out at her sides like she wanted to swing but was holding back.

She took a step in their direction, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. I leaned forward to whisper in her ear to make sure she heard me loud and clear.

“I wish you would fuck up my daughter’s day. You see her smiling and laughing? This is one of the first times in the last week since your little stunt that this little girl has been able to enjoy herself fully. You don’t get the option to fuck it up because you’re jealous of Willow. Take yo’ ass on before you really piss me the fuck off.”

I released the hold I had on her, then walked over to the truck to grab the food and drinks. I stepped around Tierra and made my way to the table. I hoped Charlie didn’t notice her or what I told Tierra would be void. The moment I made it to the table, I placed the food down and glanced over my shoulder to see Tierra had walked away.

“Is everything alright?” Willow asked.

I stayed silent for a moment as I placed the things I had gotten in front of each of us. Once I was certain that Charlie was occupied, I looked up at Willow. She was looking at me intently, waiting for an answer.

“It will be. Just had a run in that I would have preferred not to have.” I responded.

I didn’t want to say too much because, although Charlie was busy with her food, she wasn’t too busy to recognize me speaking on her mom. Willow nodded, then took a sip of her lemonade, obviously not wanting to push the situation. That was one thing I appreciated about her. She took the hint, and didn’t keep going on about it.

We continued to eat in silence until Charlie decided she needed to go back in to play with her newfound friends in the bounce house. Once she got far enough away, I turned to face Willow.

“I didn’t mean to be short. I didn’t want Charlie to know her mother was here.” I told her in between bites of my hamburger.

“I figured that. Before Charlie walked over, I glanced over in your direction and I saw Tierra approach you. I noticed an immediate change in your body language.” She responded.

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