“I will have your sheet of paper with your words when you come to see me. Once you fill the page, you will read it to me. If you want a puzzle that you can call yours, you will ask me for a job to earn your own money.
“Then I’ll take you to the store to get what you want once you’ve earned enough. For now, you live under your mother’s and my roof, so all those toys belong to us. We say first come, first served, if you don’t know how to play together. Do you understand, son?”
“Yes, Daddy. I understand.”
I turn my back to Paulie and purse my lips to keep from laughing. Paulie is four. What job is my husband going to givehim? Better yet, why is this man talking to our baby like he’s one of his soldiers?
“Good, your first time-out starts now. Go to the time-out chair.”
“Okay.”
LaSalle places his hand on my hip and kisses my forehead. He then leans to whisper-chuckle in my ear. “You were going to whip his little ass, weren’t you? ‘It’s mine,’ the nerve of his little ass.” He snorts.
I burst into laughter, not able to hold it in any longer. LaSalle tightens his hold on me, laughing along with me. These kids are something else.
“Sammy,” Elijah squeals from the front of the house.
I turn and hurry to the foyer. I stop in my tracks as Sammy comes into view. He’s gotten so much taller. He’s already a tall boy for eleven years old.
He gives me the brightest smile and drops his bags to rush over to me. I embrace him and hold him tight. He inhales deeply.
“Hi, Mo-mo. I missed you.”
“Did you have fun? How was your trip?”
“I had a lot of fun. Granny McGowan flew back with us, and we played cards on the flight.”
“I heard. What did you get to do with the Blacks?”
“I learned computer hacking. I learned how their system works for their case files. I learned how they track their bounties. I wanted to know everything in case something I learned could help me later in life.
“Uncle Noah trained me in hand-to-hand and weapons. I can snipe now. I enjoyed that very much.
“I like their bookkeeping system better than Uncle Uri’s. I might be able to improve things for him and Uncle Micheal. Oh, and I like curry chicken and rice with roti.
“Do you know how to make that? I would like it if you could make it for me. I will ask Mrs. Paloma to send you the recipe.
“There are dance battles on the weekends. Uncle Joe helps Jordan and the others come up with their routines. I was on Jordan’s team twice and we won.
“I like that they didn’t treat me like a little kid or as if I were autistic. I was a part of the family and team. It felt like how you treat me, Mom.
“I got everything I needed, but I’m happy to see you. I missed you so much. I love you, Mom,” he rambles excitedly.
I have never heard Sammy talk so much at once since I’ve been in his life. His eyes are so bright with excitement. I run my hand over his hair and then palm his face.
“I can make you some roti. You sound like you had a good time. You want something to eat now?”
“I will unpack and then I can have lunch with you and Dad. I have things you should know.”
“We’ll be waiting.”
“Can I come with you, Sammy?” Elijah asks.
“If I say no, you’re just going to stand outside my door. Come on, shadow,” he deadpans.
My mouth falls open. I look to LaSalle and it’s clear he’s trying to fight off his laughter. We look each other in the eyes.
“Ryan,” we say in unison.
