Page 5 of When Darkness Comes Knocking
By the time I was two quarters done, Fortune strolled back into my salon. Slight catcalls could be heard again. All he did was smirk. He never broke eye contact with me until I looked down at Madison’s hair.
Fortune placed my food at my station. His expensive cologne tickled my nose. Damn he smelled amazing.
As if that wasn’t good enough, his bare forearms lightly brushed against mine as he walked around and took the seat that was closest to Madison and me. I shivered. Chill bumps covered my skin. I’d never experienced a feeling like that before. What a fucking man.
“I hope you enjoy your food. Her hair looks good so far,” he expressed, observing me style Madison’s hair.
“Thank you for the food and compliment. Hair is what I do. Also, what I did for Madison was cut down her ponytail vertically, just to remove the hair strands entangled with the gum.
“Most people cut horizontally and cut the whole section of hair. That’s unnecessary. Her mom would appreciate that much more. And in the event that mom is dissatisfied, then she’s more than welcome to come down to my shop so we can talk, but I think she’s going to like this style.”
“I appreciate that, Perrae. Madison’s mom is a very reasonable person. As long as we’re both doing what’s in the best interest of Madison, we’re always on the same page,” he revealed to me.
“Oh, you’re lucky to be coparenting with someone reasonable and mature.”
“I take it you haven’t been so lucky?” he queried, staring at me.
I exhaled and shook my head. “No such luck.”
“That’s understandable. It wasn’t easy for us in the beginning, but as time went on and we both put our feelings to the side, we vowed to do what’s best for Madison. Do you have one kid or multiple?”
“I have three. JJ is seventeen, and my twin girls, Tahari and Tahiri, are nine. I was hot in the pants for their father, so we started early in high school. I don’t regret my babies at all, but I do regret meeting that nigga.” I lightly chuckled.
“Don’t beat yourself up. We all have a past, trust me. If there were things I could do differently, then I would,” he offered reassuringly.
“That’s a tune we all sing.” I turned my back to him as I braided around Madison’s head. She was going to look so cute with her halo braid.
Fortune gave a low whistle behind me. I smiled and turned to him. “Unh unh. Don’t be a creep behind me.”
He laughed. “Oh, so y’all can catcall me, but I can’t admire and appreciate the beautiful and curvy woman in front of me?” Fortune questioned.
I chortled and finished up Madison’s hair. “You might have a point.”
“You know I do,” he shot back.
I was about to reply when my smart watch rang. I looked down, and it was my son JJ. Something had happened or he called to beg. That was all he ever did. I tapped the green phone icon.
“What’s up, Son?”
His voice flowed through the speakerphone. “Now, Mama, don’t be mad at me because it’s not my fault. Your twins are here doing the absolute most.”
I sighed. “What’s wrong, JJ?”
“I don’t know which one of them did it, but the garbage disposal is broke. It’s not working anymore,” he explained.
“How in the hell did they do that?”
“I’m not sure. I just know it ain’t working no more.”
“Alright then. I’ll deal with it when I make it home.” I ended our call and tried not to show my frustration, but I was.
I loved my kids, but they had their moments when they worked my damn nerves. I had a feeling that something was stuck inside the garbage disposal. Geez! I couldn’t catch a damn break.
“Is everything okay?” Fortune asked.
“No, it’s not. I’m a first-time homeowner, yet my kids treat our home as if we’re back on Section 8. My garbage disposalis broken, and now I have to find someone to fix it,” I voiced tiredly.
“Well, you’re in luck. I’m a contractor. I own my business. Since you so graciously looked out for me, I can come by whenever you want and fix your garbage disposal free of charge.”
