Page 88 of Malliko
“So, anyway, what are you boys up to today? What’s more important than having a good time with your mom?”
My twins exchanged a glance and then Jamison muttered, “Ehmm… it’s just that we were going to hang out with some friends today.”
Squinting her eyes, Tania leaned closer. “What was that? I’m sorry, but it’s very noisy here with all the people screaming on the water slides. We’ll send you pictures instead.” When she smiled and waved, I did the same and blew them kisses.
“See you guys,” Tania said.
Keith and Jamison were both staring at the screen as if the idea of their mom hanging out with people as cool as Tania and Malliko was alien to them. It dawned on me that I hadn’t introduced them to any friends while living here. Mostly because I hadn’t made many friends the last six years living in LA. The place I lived didn’t beg for socializing with the neighbors and maybe I never put much energy into building a network of people here because I always figured I wasn’t staying in LA longer than necessary.
Tania had us all three do a group photo with me in the middle and sent it to Keith and Jamison.
“Trust me,” she said and handed me back my phone. “They’re already regretting not coming today. It’s just like dating. As long as a guy thinks you’re available for him always and nobody wants you, he won’t appreciate your love. The minute he realizes other men want to be with you, you suddenly become interesting. It’s that stupid ego thing that screws with people’s minds.”
We placed our bags in a secure locker, and so I didn’t have access to my phone for the next hour. We rode water slides and laughed so much that my jaw hurt. It was like reconnecting with the young girl in me and giving her permission to be careless and free.
When Tania asked for a snack, I found the cooler I had brought and once more she had me snap a photo of her eating some of the food I had prepared for Jamison and Keith. With the caption “So generous of you to let me eat your food” she gave a thumbs up.
Keith answered right away, “We’re at the entrance. Where are you?”
I stared at the screen. “They’re here.”
Tania gave a small shriek. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, look.” I showed her the photo they sent through of them walking into the park. “They actually came.” My tone was incredulous.
Tania pulled down her sunglasses. “Like bees to honey.”
For a split second I felt hurt that I hadn’t been enough for my boys to want to come. But I quickly dismissed my irritation at Tania for being more interesting to my sons than me. It didn’t matter. They were healthy teenage boys drawn to a beautiful woman. I knew Tania had no interest in Keith and Jamison other than helping me getting to spend time with them.
“Why don’t I stay here with the bags while you two go and get them?” Tania suggested.
Malliko was quick to agree and walked with me through the water park to meet my boys. From the moment we arrived at the park, I had noticed how women of all ages took second glances at him, but he seemed oblivious and was chatting about how cool it was that he would get to meet my sons.
Keith and Jamison weren’t alone when we got to the entrance area. They had brought two friends and Shanice.
“Shanice.” My voice was a bit high-pitched, giving away how surprised I was to see her.
Smiling widely, she threw her long wavy blonde hair back. “The boys needed a ride and who doesn’t want to go to a water park? I figured it wasn’t fair to leave you with the responsibility of their friends on top of them, so I joined.” She laughed and looked to Malliko.
“We’re three adults. It’s fine. We can take care of the boys and their friends,” I assured her, but Shanice didn’t pick up my hint to leave. Instead, she moved closer. “The twins did say that you were with some friends.” Reaching out her hand to Malliko she gave him a blinding smile that made her look like a movie star. “I’m Shanice. What’s your name?”
Malliko looked to me first and then he answered her. “I’m Malliko. Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand briefly and moved on to greet the four teenage boys. They all looked shy, but Keith, who had always been the braver of my twins, asked, “How did you get so buff?”
“I was a soldier for many years. It requires a strong physique and an even stronger mind.”
Their eyes were full of awe as the boys asked more questions about his diet and training.
“We’d better get back to Tania before she eats all the food.” Malliko winked.
“Is she your girlfriend?” Jamison wanted to know.
Malliko laughed. “No. Tania isn’t my girlfriend. I have my eyes on someone else.” He looked to me but it was as if my boys couldn’t even imagine someone like him being interested in their mom and so they didn’t pick on his hint.
“Does that mean she’s single?” Keith asked.
Malliko chuckled. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”
We walked through the park, with the boys following Malliko like eager puppies. Shanice felt into step next to me. She wore flip-flops, hot pants, and an unbuttoned shirt that was tied as a crop top showing off a pink bikini top underneath. As always, her hair, nails, and make-up were flawless.
