Page 33 of Hood Legacy

“Nah, nope,” I interrupted him and closed the dishwasher. “I don’t want to hear shit about what y’all had just finished doing. I’m a child.”

“You a grown-ass man, Hood,” he laughed.

“I’m your child, man!” I said, shaking my head.

“I know, shit, you look exactly like my ass. I couldn’t deny you if I wanted to. The only thing you got from your mama was that yellow ass skin.” He popped my arm and shook his head. “Nigga, you still bruise easily. Look at that shit.”

“Whatever,” I laughed and dried my hands. “When are you taking Mama out of town? Do you have a place in mind?”

He nodded, then wiped his hand over his beard. “I’m thinking about next weekend and probably to a resort or something. Give us some privacy to be naked and shit.”

“Pop,” I groaned. “I ain't trying to hear that shit, man.”

“Whatever, young buck,” he laughed. “You better take notes on how to keep your woman happy.” He nodded to the living room where Legacy slept on the couch. “She’s a good girl. She's quiet, but that’ll change the longer she’s around.”

“I legit see a life with her,” I said, nodding as I watched Legacy. “Being with her is as natural as breathing. We vibe and shit. It ain't ever been that easy with me before.”

“I understand,” he said, nodding. “That’s how it was with your mama and me. She made everything easy, and I wasn’t worried about shit. Even though I was in the streets, being with your mama was where I wanted to be.” He looked over at me and shook his head. “I wasted years thinking that I had time to get my shit together in my old age. Don’t be stupid like me.”

“No disrespect intended, Pop, but I ain't that stupid,” I said, shaking my head. “I already handled that stalker shit she had going on.”

“What stalker shit?” he questioned. “Somebody after my daughter?”

“Her bodyguard was obsessed with her,” I answered him. “She was getting flowers and shit left on her car, and he was chilling in her car when she wasn’t around.”

“And you handled it?”

“Put one in his heart and the other between his eyes,” I said, nodding. “Didn’t even think about doing it, either.”

“Good,” he said, then opened the door to the fridge. “Cuz the last thing you want is for a nigga to be protecting your woman when you are not around, and his ass wants her.”

“I’m already knowing,” I agreed. “But like I said, I put two hot ones in him, and from here on out, when she moves, so do I.”

“You can’t keep her in your eyesight forever,” he laughed as he put away the leftovers. “Plus, she’s a pro athlete, and you won’t always be around.”

“It's my job to keep her safe.”

“It is, but you gotta be smart; hire someone you trust to keep an eye on her.” He closed the fridge. “Y’all gonna need time apart, and you know it. Give that girl some space; y’all still new.”

“Nah, man,” I denied, shaking my head.

“Hire someone, Hood,” he repeated. “That shit ain't up for no debate. Don’t be overbearing cuz you in love with her ass, you selfish ass nigga.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said, nodding. I wiped my hands over my mouth and continued to watch Legacy sleep. Hearing him say I was in love with her didn’t even move me. It was the truth. I’d been in love with Legacy since I met her last year. Spending time with her only increased my feelings and obsession with her.

“Y’all should join yo mama and I,” he suggested. I laughed and shook my head. “I know you're trying to figure out how you gonna introduce her to your mama. Let this vacation be how. Your mama will be in a good place mentally and physically. This is the perfect opportunity.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I’ll tell your mama y’all coming,” he replied, and I kissed my teeth. “I’ll text you the plans by tomorrow night.”

“I’ll take care of it,” I said, shaking my head. “Citrine has a resort that opened last year that he keeps telling me to check out. I’ll call him in the morning to get us some suites. The whole trip will be my treat.” He was about to object, and I shook my head. “Let me do this, Pop. I’m asking you as a man to let me treat my parents to our last family vacation.” I wiped my face to keep my tears at bay. “Please, man.”

“Alright,” he agreed, then pulled me into a hug. “You got this one, son.”

“I appreciate you, man,” I said as I patted his back. “Legit, for everything. You taught me to be a man, and I’ll always appreciate you.”

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