Page 30 of Until the Ink Dries

“I miss you so, so, so much, Daddy!” she exclaimed.

“Now, lil’ bit. Your daddy the only person you see?” Jordan asked, feigning hurt.

She wiggled out of my arms, then ran into his. She wrapped her little arms around his neck, then squeezed as tightly as she could. I shook my head as I made my way up the steps of my parents’ house. Jordan followed me with Charlie still in his arms.

“Charlotte Grace Davis! What did I tell you about running outside without an adult?” My mother said, walking from the kitchen toward the front door.

She was frowning until Jordan walked through the door with Charlie. Her hands went to her mouth in shock.

“Jordy! How are you, baby?” she asked as she rushed over to him, then wrapped her arms around him.

Jordan never told me, but I knew my mother held a special place for him. After his mother passed, she stepped in to fill that void.

“Charlie, I know you were excited to see me, baby. But next time, follow the rules; it’s for your safety. Understood?” I told her.

She poked her lip out and nodded. She reached out for me, so I took her from Jordan and rubbed her back. My mom looked over at me with a lift of her brown and a smile. Then made a circle with her finger and mouthed wrapped around her finger. I couldn’t help but to laugh because I knew she was right. I was stern when I needed to be, but ultimately, Charlie could get anything out of me.

“Mom, are her things all packed up?”

She gripped her hips and then smiled. “Yup, she has been waiting for you all morning.”

“Alright, cool. You know what? I don’t have any tattoos to do today, and it’s Saturday. Charlie, you want to go with daddy to Movies In the Square?” I asked.

She pulled back to look me in the eye, no longer any sadness lingering. She grinned as she nodded her head wildly.

“Yes! I want snacks, too.”

I placed her down on her feet, and she reached for my hand.

“Speaking of snacks, your uncle Jordy ate some of your snacks at the house and drank one of your juices.”

I didn’t give a damn that I was snitching on him to a five-year-old. I didn’t want to hear her mouth when we got home, and she began counting the damn snacks like she paid for the shit. Jordan looked at me with his head tilted to the side.

Charlie released my hand and gripped her hips before facing Jordan.

“Uncle Jordy, how could you? Those are my snacks.” She released the hold on her hips, then crossed her arms against her chest and released a dramatic sigh.

It took everything in me not to burst into laughter. My baby played about a lot of things, but her snacks weren’t one of them.

“Lil’ bit, your daddy didn’t have no hospitality. I was hungry and you know I like princess fruit snacks! But look—” Jordan reached into his pocket.

I shook my head as my baby held her hands out for him to put the money into it. Jordan pulled his wallet from his pocket and began shuffling between a few bills before finally placing a couple of twenties into her palm. My baby was still frowning as she turned to face me, then showed me the money.

“Is this enough monies to get me more snacks, daddy?” she asked.

She lifted her hand up to me so I could count it. I wanted to fuck with Jordan and tell my baby nah, but I was gone let him slide this time.

“Looks like it, baby. You want daddy to hold it?” I asked.

She nodded and I took the money from her outreached hand, then put it in my pocket. Charlie smiled up at Jordan, all her grievances forgotten.

“I’m not mad anymore, Uncle Jordy. Thank you for my monies for snacks. Me and my daddy can get a snack now!”

“Mmm hmm. I’m glad I could make you happy, Lil’ Bit. Now, Benny, get me home before your child hustles me for more money. Momma, it was nice to see you,” Jordan said with a shake of his head.

I laughed. “Aight, I’m about to grab Charlie’s stuff, then we can head out. We got big plans tonight! Right Charlie?” I asked.

“Yes,” she shouted behind me.

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