Page 96 of Heart of a Savage
He laughed. “Chill on my moms, Pop.”
I chuckled, watching my son grow before me. I loathe the day when he became a teenager. I could already see the independence he was exuding, and I hoped I was being a good example for him.
“What time is it?” I asked, about to pull out my phone to check.
MJ lifted his wrist to look at his watch. He revealed a Rolex watch that I didn’t remember buying him. “It’s three-fourteen.”
“Where’d you get the timepiece? You already blowing through your savings and Christmas money?”
“No. Ms. Arie got me this as an early Christmas gift.”
I stopped him from walking. “What do you mean,Arie?”
“Uhh, Ms. Arie. As in Arieana… the lady you used to date.”
“I know who you’re talking about. I’m trying to figure out when you two started talking.”
“We talk all the time. She’s the one who bought me the moped for my birthday.”
“Why haven’t you told me any of this, MJ?”
“She asked me not to.”
“And you listened?”
“You always tell me not to tell anybody anything that they disclose to me in confidence, and to stay loyal to those who are loyal to me. She told me not to tell you we’ve been talking… so I didn’t.”
I couldn’t even argue with him. I did tell him not to be a snitch or to tell anyone’s business. That shit just turned around and bit me in the ass because I thought my son told me everything.
“D-does she ask about me?”
“No. She just asks me about school, and if I’m getting good grades and being good. She tells me to send her pics of my report card, then she sends me gifts or money for it.”
Wow. Fucking wow.
She can communicate with my son, but couldn’t answer my calls or texts.
I was jealous.
I missed her mean ass, and she knew it. She just wanted to make me suffer, and a nigga had been suffering.
“Are you mad at me?” he asked.
“Nah, son. Not at all.”
“She did say she was going to come visit me soon,” MJ said, beaming. It was clear my heart wasn’t the only one she’d captured.
“Yeah? Well, you make sure I’m there when she does.”
“I got you, Pops.”
We continued our stride and hit a few more stores before we grabbed his secret gift, and we headed home.
“You hit them teeth?” I asked MJ as he settled into his bed.
“Dad, I know to brush before bed, and when I wake up in the morning. You don’t have to remind me anymore.”
“A’ight, a’ight. I love you. Goodnight.”
