“Not following.”
“Bubble Charm Babies, trendy, elusive, flying off the shelf. My mother punched a woman once to get the last two Twinkle Baby charms.”
“I love how you just dropped me into the middle of the story, no background, no foreshadowing, just action.”
“I’m not a trend. And I won’t be thrown into a dark drawer never to be heard from again.” I shoved another book into his hands.
“Okay, I won’t put Twinkle Baby in a corner.”
“Damnit, youarefunnier than me.”
At the register the clerk scanned my items. “Your total is eight hundred seventy-two dollars and sixty-eight cents.”
“Here you go.” Aldridge handed the clerk his card.
“Hold up. Aldridge, I’m paying for my own books.”
“The hell you are.”
“I don’t need you to buy my books, that’s not why I let you tag along.”
“It makes my skin itch having my girl come out of pocket for anything.”
We’re just going to pin the fact he called me his girl. “I appreciate that but?—”
“If you don’t let this man buy them expensive ass books for you and be grateful,” an older woman holding two thick textbooks with rings on every finger instructed me.
“Yeah, what she said,” Aldridge chimed in like a child.
“Cause if you don’t, honey I could use some help.”
I wasn’t trying to be ungrateful, I just didn’t want to take advantage.
Aldridge scanned the books in the lady’s arm. “I got you.”
“What?” she and I said in unison. Aldridge was generous to a fault and that could be a gift and a curse.
Aldridge emptied her arms, “Can you add these to the total?” He asked the clerk.
“I was just joking you don’t have to.” She was just as shocked as me.
“Don’t block your blessing.”
“Thank you. That’s really very nice of you.” She glanced at me and nodded in Aldridge’s direction.
“Thank you, Aldridge.” I walked into his chest and wrapped my arms around him.
“I got you Danessa. I always got you.”
My phone vibratedon the bedside table next to me. The display read Lamonte Mosley. Most children saved their father in their phone under “Dad” or “Pops” but in my opinion, those were terms of endearment, and he didn’t deserve that type of respect. So, in my phone he was listed under his full government name. I glanced at Danessa, who was fast asleep. It was still dark outside.
“Hello?” I whispered while exiting the bedroom and making my way to the half bath. “Aldridge, it’s your father.”
“I know who this is. Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“It’s six thirty. Don’t tell me your lazy ass is still in the bed.”
“Six thirty your time. I’m on the West Coast now.”
