Page 29 of Love & Vendettas

“A Thin Line Between Love and Hate with Martin Lawrence is showing at the movies.”

“A’ight. I can get with that as long as that’s not a premonition of our future.”

“Future? You’re thinking long-term, Mr. . . . Knight?”

“That would be me.”

“Okay, let’s do that then. How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

“Mm.”

“What does that mean? How old are you?”

“I’m sixteen.”

“What? You’re going to tell me that I’m too young for you?”

“Not at all. Are you going to wear that suit and bowtie to the movies?”

He pauses, and I hear him chuckling softly.

“Uh…is that what you want me to wear?”

“I like the suit.”

“Okay, then that’s what you’ll get.”

“Cool.”

“Aye, I have to go, but is it okay if I call you later?”

“Depends on how much later.”

“Honestly, it might be about one or two.”

“In the morning?”

“Yeah. That a problem?”

It is, but I don’t tell him that. I guess he has a job to go to and doesn’t get off until late.

“No, that’s not a problem.”

I’ll just stay up late and be tired as hell for school tomorrow, but that’s okay. I have a feeling that he might be worth it.

***

Zaire and I met up at the mall later that weekend and had a good time at the movies, dinner, and bowling. He was funny and cute, but he wasn’t quick to share where he worked. I could only assume that it embarrassed him.

I did learn that he had five siblings and that he was the oldest.

“Hey.”

“Hi, you made it home, okay.”

“Yeah. I did.”

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