Frequency
Breakfast consistedof oatmeal and bacon. Dressed in slacks and a button up, I stood at the counter with the paper in front of me. Since springing up on Harbor in the middle of the night, a nigga couldn’t sleep. Waking up after having my pops beating my ass and playing mind games with me in my fucking sleep and her roaming the halls, shit left me uneasy. I already slept with the pistol under the pillow. That bitch remained in my hand for the remainder of the night. I walked around as well and happened to stumble upon Harbor’s conversation with Celine during the wee hours. There was a lot of pain when she spoke. Her story also sounded a lot like mine with my own child. I never wanted Ivy to even carry an ounce of that with her.
“Morning, Daddy.” my daughter greeted me, practically skipping inside.
“Morning, baby girl. You ready to check out this last school?”
“I guess.” She sighed, walking to the fridge. “Do you think we can do something together this weekend? Maybe catch a movie or go to the arcade? Maybe even the zoo or amusement park?”
“We’ll see. We got a lot going on with you starting school and me trying to start this new business. I promise we’ll make time. I’ll be driving you to school every morning too.”
“You will?” she asked, lighting up at the thought.
“Yeah. And tonight I have this charity dinner. But your aunt and uncle are here too. I’m sure they would love to spend some time with you.”
“Are you and Harbor going to this dinner?” Ivy queried, annoyance in her tone.
“Yes. Why you asking that?” I fired back.
“Are you dating her, Daddy, or do you want to?” Ivy questioned.
The shit kind of threw me, but she waited for my answer. “I’m not dating anyone, Ivy. I have women that I entertain. Things with Harbor are based on business. That’s all this is,” I explained.
“She called me a brat.” My daughter pouted, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Well, you are kind of a brat.” I brought a spoonful of oatmeal to my lips.
“No I’m not,” Ivy argued.
“Try to get along with her, okay? She’ll be around for a while,” I told her while I chewed.
“She’s pretty,” Ivy muttered. “Like ridiculously pretty.”
She sounded like she hated that fact, and I simpered while shaking my head.
“Yes, she is,” I agreed softly.
“But you don’t like her?” Ivy pressed.
I squinted, wondering where she was going with the conversation. For a twelve-year-old, she was already able to run circles around a grown mothafucka.
“I can say that she is smart, ambitious, and driven. She is very attractive but pursuing a relationship with her outside ofbusiness is not my intention.” I worded myself carefully because I didn’t want to expose too much to my daughter.
“Your intention?” Ivy questioned with a raised brow. “Hmm, sounds very… vague… Daddy.”
“Go get your stuff together so we can go,” I instructed while Kara came sailing into the kitchen.
“Good morning!” she sang, cheerful.
“You take your meds early or something?” I joked with her.
“Ha-ha. I slept amazing. And I thought we could all find something to do together today,” she suggested, going right for the coffee pot.
“Ivy and I have schools to look at, and I have to get ready for this dinner tonight. She’s free though. Why don’t you get some auntie and niece time in?” I cleared my bowl and carried it over to the sink.
“Maybe I will. It’s been a long time.” Kara went to get creamer from the fridge. “I heard you up last night. You still have the nightmares?”
I dropped my bowl in the sink and faced her with my arms propping me up against the counter. “Don’t worry. I’m not killing anybody just for the hell of it. I’m learning to cope after I have one. Can’t ever get back to sleep?—”
