Page 18 of Senior

“A’ight, Ma! Damn. Whatchu been thinking on woman?”

I sighed. “Either fostering or adopting a child.”

He stared at me blankly. “Ma.”

“What?”

“You waited to give me a sibling after being your only child for all these years? You want my babies to be so close in age with their aunt or uncle? Tavia been rubbing off on you with that ghetto shit.”

I smacked his arm. “Boy shut up! Emmy is a blessing.”

“I didn’t say she wasn’t. I’m just saying, KJ and his auntie are in school together. Jaiden and Nayelli are already in the same class. I know this would be an older child because I don’t see you starting over and adopting a baby. Who’s gonna be the daddy?”

I snickered as popped a coffee pod into the Keurig. “I mean, I helped your father raise five of you. He can return the favor.”

The smile dropped from his face. “I know you lying.”

I placed my hands on my hips. “What?”

“Has he started his flirting shit back up? He’s been cooling it since Aaron passed away. I knew it was only a matter of time before he was back on his bullshit⁠—”

“Let me stop you right there,” I said, pointing at him. “Your father has been nothing but respectful and supportive. That man is a part of the reason I didn’t lose my sanity. You have to let go of this notion that Senior did me wrong, son. I know you want to protect me, but I don’t need protection from your father.”

He kissed his teeth. “Yeah, okay.”

I sighed. “You’re gonna get yourself all worked up and it’s not even worth it. You said you missed me, so spend some time with your mother. I should be your main focus while you’re here. You wanna take me shopping? Spending money on me always makes you happy.”

He gave me a side eye as a smirk spread across his face. “Don’t try to butter me up.”

My son took great pride in spoiling me. Even though I never needed his money, he gave it freely. The first time I met Salima, it was because he brought her over for breakfast, then spent the day letting us spend his money. Gift giving and acts of service were his love languages. He got it honestly because his daddy was the same way.

I hadn’t been with that man in years, yet every month, there was a faithful deposit in my account. Every birthday, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas, he sent the four of us gifts. Nothing over the top, considering most of us were married, but something sentimental.

“I mean, I can always call your father and tell him I need a day out,” I jested.

Deuce kissed his teeth. “You play too much, man. Keep it up, and I’m putting both of y’all in a home when you get old and decrepit.”

I giggled as I poured the sugar and creamer into my coffee. “And when I die, I’m coming back to haunt you. I will personally make sure your grandchildren give you hell. You won’t have a moment of peace.”

“Woooow,” he said, rising from the stool as I put the lid on my travel coffee mug. “That’s how we do? To think, I was gonna bury you in the mausoleum. Now you gotta go with the common folk.”

“Bring your ass on here, boy!”

We shared a laugh as we headed for the front door. I grabbed my purse, keys, and phone and followed him out to his car.

“Let me know when you’re done, Johnny,” I said as I climbed in.

“Yes ma’am.”

Deuce climbed in and revved his engine.

“Drive like you got some sense,” I warned him.

He grinned as he shifted into drive. “I got this. Don’t worry your pretty self about a thing, ol’ lady.”

I rolled my eyes as I pulled my shades from my purse and slipped them on. I planned to sit back, relax and not worry about a damn thing, just like he said.

“You are wearing that dress, baby,” Ms. Rebecca said as I tied on my apron.