Page 17 of Senior

He laughed. “Come on. I know you got it. Deuce and Mr. Stanley got it too.”

I rolled my eyes just as my son came rolling up the street. He came to a stop and shut off his car. Hopping out, he threw up his hand to speak to the neighbors on their porches or in their yards before reaching back into the car. When he stood tall, there was a big ass bouquet of red roses in his hand. He smiled as he made his way toward the house.

He stopped briefly to dap Johnny.

“What’s good, lil nigga?” he asked, slapping his hand.

“Sup, Deuce? When are you gonna let me drive the Hellcat, man?”

“When you can afford it. What them grades looking like?”

“All As and I’m graduating at the top of my class.”

“Word? That’s what I’m talking about.” He went into his pocket and pulled out his money clip. I watched as he peeled off ten crisp hundred-dollar bills and handed them to Johnny. “Keep up the good work, young blood. Proud of you.”

Johnny stared at the bills. “I can’t take that, man. My mama is gonna fuss real bad.”

“I’ll holla at her before I leave the block. Take it. You’ve been working hard and hard work is rewarded. Plus, you be looking out for my ol’ lady.” Deuce winked at me. “I know she hardheaded as hell at times.”

“Yeah, she is,” Johnny agreed.

I scoffed as I stood to my feet. “Lie again, Johnathan.”

He grinned as he raised his hands in mock surrender.

“I don’t want no smoke, Ms. Steph.”

Deuce chuckled as he ascended the steps and came to hug me and kiss my cheek.

“How you doing beautiful?” he asked, handing me the flowers in his hand.

“I’m good. Thank you, Deucy.”

He frowned. “You know, between you and my wife, I don’t know who gets on my nerves more with that Deucy shit. I’m too grown for that nickname, woman.”

“You may be grown, but you will never be more grown than me. Tread lightly.”

He shook his head as we walked into the house with me behind him.

“I missed you, Ma”

“I missed you too, baby.”

“Of course you do. I’m a loveable nigga and your only child. You can’t help but to miss me.”

I rolled my eyes as we stepped into the kitchen. “How are my grandbabies?”

He smiled as he took a seat at the kitchen island. “They’re good. Finessing their grandaddy into staying with him.”

I giggled. “You act like it’s hard for them.”

“Right. It’s crazy how he lets these kids get away with murder but was on our ass heavy when we were all together.”

“Because five of you could feel like twenty, Stanley. I mean, for inexperienced people. Not me. Y’all knew who to play with and it wasn’t me. That’s why I don’t have any issues when my grandbabies or your nieces or nephews come over. I’ve been thinking about something though.”

His brows furrowed as he looked at me. “Whatchu talking about, Stephanie?”

I grabbed my dish towel and swatted him with it. “Keep playing with me by calling me by my name. I’m mama to you and nothing else, Stanley.”