Looking at Hazel now, she knew she had made the right choice by having her. What still felt unsettled in her heart was not telling Haze about his daughter. She knew she could find him. All she had to do was go to that same house, with the big ass garage holding millions of dollars’ worth of motorcycles and ask for him.
It had been three years, and she still couldn’t bring herself to do it. Hazel’s safety meant the most to her. The kind of people Haze clearly hung around, the kind of person he was, . . . it wasn’t a life for her child.
That was what she kept telling herself anyway.
“Where did your mind just go?” Melanie asked from the stove where she stirred a pot.
Devyn shook her head. Her parents knew about Haze because they wanted to know why Devyn felt the need to keep Hazel away from her father. Neither of them was really on board with her reasoning, and they would say so anytime they came even remotely close to the topic of him. But they didn’t get it. They weren’t there to see her friend bleeding out and almost dying because they were at a party he hosted.
To distract herself, she kissed Hazel on the cheek and then responded to her mother. “Nowhere, Mama. It smells good in here.”
Melanie beamed. “I been craving catfish. Made some greens and mac and cheese too.”
Devyn’s mouth watered. Her mama was hands down the best cook. Devyn knew how to do a little something in the kitchen, too, but her mama could throw down.
“Can’t wait to eat,” Devyn replied.
“Long day?” Robert asked.
Devyn nodded. “The longest.”
“I know that look. Are you sure taking over the dealership isn’t too much on you? I can always step back in if you want?—”
“Daddy, no,” Devyn whined.
“No is right. You retired six months ago, Robert. You’ll do good to remember that. I refuse to go back to the way it used to be. If Devyn needs help, she can hire another manager to delegate,” Melanie said through gritted teeth.
Devyn didn’t blame her. Being the head of a dealership was no joke. She’d prepared for it her entire life, but nothing could have prepped her for what it was really like. Still, she absolutely loved her job and wouldn’t give it up. Her father was just a worrywart, which she also understood. He was the only person who knew what it was like being in her position.
Robert threw his hands up. “Okay, okay. I’m just saying, she’s a single mother, Mel. This can’t be easy on her.”
“Last I checked, it was her choice to be a single mother.” Melanie eyed her daughter.
Devyn’s cheeks burned. “On that note, I’m going to go wash my hands.”
She kissed Hazel again and put her down. Her baby went straight to her pop pop, while Devyn left the kitchen. She loved her parents dearly, but they could be a bit overbearing sometimes. They were open and honest with each other, which left a lot of room for judgment. Loving judgment, but judgment all the same.
While she washed her hands in the downstairs bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror. Despite her exhaustion, her brown skin glowed. Though she didn’t have a whole lot of time to get her hair and nails done anymore, she still made sure she had a standing maintenance appointment once a month to make sure she still kept herself looking good.
Her shoulder-length hair was straightened and silky. Her juicy lips were lined with brown lip liner and covered in gloss. She made sure she showed up to work every day looking not only professional but also fine as hell. She took great pride in her appearance, and she knew she looked good wherever she went.
She tried to smile at herself in the mirror after she dried her hands, but her round face seemed to fall flat instead. With a sigh, she made her way back to the kitchen. When she noticed her family was no longer in there, she walked through the door to the dining room.
When she sat next to her father, who held Hazel in his lap, Robert leaned over to her and whispered, “You okay, pumpkin?”
Devyn nodded. “Peachy.”
Hazel leaned over, just like her grandfather had just done, and whispered loudly, “Okay, Mommy?”
Only Hazel could pull a genuine smile out of her in moments like these. “I’m good, baby. Ready to eat?”
“I know I am,” Melanie chimed in.
“Me too,” Devyn agreed.
Robert prayed over the food, and they immediately passed dish after dish around the table. It was silent for a while as everyone ate. It was a nice change to Devyn’s chaotic day. She found peace in quiet nuggets of time, but of course, they never lasted.
“Hazel said something funny today,” Melanie mentioned from across the table.
