Page 194 of Taeja

Taeja nodded, moving to the nearby pipe to wash her hands. After she finished, she returned to her seat on the steps leading to the veranda.

Cassedi chuckled. “Damon, tell her the nice part.”

Damon’s eyes widened. “No.”

“What happened?” Seeing Cassedi smirk but not answer, Taeja gasped. “Wow, Cassedi.I’myour child ino.”

Cassedi laughed. “When Damon went for the cows, they chased him.”

Taeja burst out laughing. “What?”

“I thought it was a myth that they hate red,” Damon stated bitterly.

“Waii!” Taeja screamed, holding her belly, and almost toppling over.

Damon glared. “It’s not funny.”

Cassedi chuckled. “It was.”

“No sah!” Taeja dried tears from her eyes. “Cassedi, you should’ve taken pictures.”

“I was busy trying to catch the rope. Yu shuda see me a run backa them ina the bush. Mi hope nuh more ticks nuh deh pon mi fi jump pon ZsaZsa,” Cassedi said while looking at ZsaZsa, who was sucking her thumb and listening to them. “A Sister Pansy grandson afi come help we.”

“I wish I was there,” Taeja laughed, ignoring Damon’s glare.

“Maybe next time,” Cassedi said. “We need to get ready to go to Westmoreland.”

“Oh, right…”

Cassedi’s brows furrowed. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Remembering the conversation with her mom last night, Taeja shook her head. “No, I want to. It’s just making me sad that I’m leaving tomorrow. I feel like I didn’t get to spend much time with you.”

“We can extend the trip to Saturday if you want,” Damon suggested.

“I’d love that, but she has school,” Cassedi said.

“My professors usually start teaching on the second day. I don’t mind staying longer,” Taeja said.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Damon said.

Cassedi nodded and stood. “I’ll go shower Cookie. Sakara’s classes are almost over, so she and Jaheim will be here soon.”

After Cassedi disappeared into the house, Taeja grinned at Damon. Damon hissed his teeth and stood.

“Watch ya!” Taeja laughed and grabbed Damon’s arm, stopping him. “You’ve been here for two days and you’re acting more Jamaican than me.”

“I love it here,” Damon said.

“We can come back soon,” Taeja promised, and he nodded. “I’m going inside to get ready, too.”

Damon nodded, following her into the room. He sat on the bed and watched as she dressed.

Taeja chuckled. “Are you sure there aren’t more ticks on you?”

“I showered five times. You searched me and Cassedi did, too. I’m fine.”

“Mm… Okay.” She slipped on a summer dress, then walked toward him. She straddled him, took his face between her hands, then pecked him. “Thanks again for following me here.”

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