Page 24 of The Prodigy

“It’s possible,” I said. “Anything’s possible.”

“Alright, alright,” my mother said dismissively. “We got guests out there. We’ll convene again tomorrow morning.” She stubbed out her cigarette. “Knight, stay behind.”

I stayed where I was on the couch, marveling at what my mother had become. When my daddy was healthy and strong, she was always in the background and just fine with that. But once he was down, she took over seamlessly, and she did a good job running shit.

McGrady closed the door to the study, leaving just me and mama in the room.

“Why you talking like they have a chance?”

She rolled her eyes. “I just put my husband in the ground. I wasn’t in no mood to argue.” She came and sat next to me. “It was always gonna be you, Knight. You’re the only one with the brains and the temperament for it.”

“And what if I said I didn’t want it?”

She blinked slowly. “I’d be very disappointed. I mean, your brothers are competent, butyou. You’re a…” she trailed off, searching for the words. “You’re like a prodigy.”

I chuckled remembering Jaz’s airheaded mistake. “I don’t think that’s true. And listen, I don’t mind helping out. I’m not trying to leave y’all high and dry. I just ain’t trying to stay here too long. I got a life in Atlanta.”

“You were supposed to be out there laying low, not setting up house.”

I shrugged. “I like it there. No demons. No memories.”

She looked away, and I wondered if she felt bad. Or ashamed. “Well, listen, life would go on whether you took over or not. It would just be a very different life, that’s all. This house would probably have to go eventually. The cars. Private school for the kids, that would all have to stop. Vacations. Fancy dinners—”

“I got it, Mama.” She was so good at guilt-tripping. “I’ll do what I can. Gray tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”

She smiled, and I knew that to mean the conversation was over.

But then she started a new one.

“What’s the deal with wifey out there?”

I made a face. “Ain’t no deal. I’m keeping her close to keep her mouth shut.”

She nodded. “That was a good idea Joe had.”

“Eh. Not really.”

“You don’t like her?”

“I don’t know her.”

I looked down at my buzzing phone.

Hey, I heard. I just want u 2 know I’m here 4 u, baby. If you need 2 talk or…anything else

I smiled. Kittora Wilkins. I called her kitty cat because of her name, and also because her pussy was so good. She was my little piece here in Midling. Since I’d been in Atlanta, we didn’t see each other as much, but a couple of times a year, I would have her driven up so we could chill.

Preciate it. I’ll hit you up

I almost told her I’d be in Midling for a while, but after what happened, I didn’t think it was a good idea to be telegraphing my moves to people. I didn’t put it past no female to be a honey pot, especially now that my pops was gone.

Somebody was at me. I just didn’t know who.

I left the study and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. On my way there, a female caught my eye. Somebody I knew well. Somebody who had meant something to me a long time ago.

I stopped right where I was and stared at her, and when her eyes met mine, she smiled.

Suddenly, my day got a little better.

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