“I appreciate that, Ms. Mitchell.” I extended my hand to her, and she accepted it.
“Call, Faedra, or Fae,” she insisted. “Y’all come on. I cooked, so I hope you came hungry,” she announced.
“I’ain never turning down no food,” I mentioned, causing her and Tink to laugh.
“So, how did you meet my baby? From the TV and social media, I didn’t take you for the relationship type.”
“Yeah, the internet has a way of making sh-stuff look one-sided,” I started. “They made me seem like some monster when all I was doing was living my life and minding my business. They hate to see a young black man with money, so they do everything to try to take that away,” I stated, and she nodded.
“Now that you’re right about. You just can’t give them anything to go off of,” she stated, and I nodded.
“I can’t argue when you’re right,” I countered.
“So, how did you meet my baby?” She asked.
“Ma,” Tink groaned.
“Nah, it’s cool, Tink.”
“Tink?” Her mama repeated.
“Yeah, I call her Tink because from the first time I approached her, she was mean and feisty. I told her she was little and mean, just like Tinker Bell,” I laughed and so did her mama.
“Aww, that’s cute and I can believe it. That girl has always been mean... like that daddy of hers.” She smirked.
Tink rolled her eyes as we laughed at her expense.
This shit was going better than I expected. Ms. Fae was cool, and she could cook. I see where Tink got that shit from.
“Ms. Fae, you wanna come to the game Sunday? I can have you seated with Tink and my people,” I offered.
Tink looked at me like she was surprised that I offered, but I didn’t see it as a big deal.
“Oh, no, baby. I’on do outside, but I’ll be watching and cheering from my living room,” she responded.
“Well, how about this. You come spend Thanksgiving with me and my family.” When I said that, Tink looked at me like I hadtwo heads. I already planned on asking her, but I might as well ask her mama to join in since it was only them.
“I’d love that,” Ms. Fae responded.
“Bet. I’ll let my mama know we’ll have two more people at the table.”
“Just let me know if I need to bring something,” she added.
“Just bring yourself.”
We stayed a little longer, and she told me stories about Tink growing up, and I believed everyone. By the time we got ready to go, she was embarrassed.
“That was... interesting,” Tink said once we were back in my truck and headed back to my spot.
“I told you shit was gone be okay. Learn to listen to your nigga.” I smirked.
“My nigga, huh?” She countered.
“You damn right, and we’re about to go grab you some shit, then go back to my spot and make things official.” I looked at her to let her know that I meant every word.
***
“Miles takes the snap and has time in the pocket. Looking downfield for his favorite target. He lets it fly to Samuels... Caught! Titan Samuels inside the ten... inside the five... Touchdown Cannons! Number seventeen does it again. Another trip to the end zone, and this one may be the dagger. The Cannons extended their lead late in the fourth quarter.”
