Page 16 of When It’s All Said And Done

“I can only imagine what you gonna gift her.”

When we pulled back up to the dealership, I decided to buy the 2025 Dodge Charger R/T. Once I had everything for the car, we hopped in to take Chance home. As we drove down the road, I checked my rearview mirror to make sure Fernando was following us. When we made it to Chance’s house, we went inside while Fernando waited outside. I secured the door behind me before Chanel and Chance’s cousin on his dad’s side walked downstairs.

“Daddy, who’s that?” Chanel questioned as she jumped in Chance’s arms from the last step.

“That’s Nyla’s dad and your cousin, Nas,” he answered while he paid his cousin before she left and he made his way into the kitchen.

“Really!? He’s finally home?”

“Yes, he’s really home.”

“Nyla’s so lucky! Her dad came back but my mom never will.”

When she said that my heart broke into a thousand pieces. As I made my way into the kitchen, I noticed the way Chance’s demeanor changed. It was written all over his face that it hurt him that Chanel felt that way. I decided to step in as best as I could with little to no knowledge to this fatherhood shit. All I thought to do was to tell her what I’d want someone to tell Nyla.

“Aye, lil’ cous, I know it hurts that your mom is gone but she is always with you,” I expressed as I reached for her.

“Really?” She questioned me as she looked up at me.

“Really. She’s a part of you so that means no matter where you go, she’s always with you.”

“That’s true. I just wish my dad would get me a new mommy.”

“I’m home now, so I can give him a lil’ help with that now. You like tea parties?”

“Yes!! I have a brand-new set.”

“How ‘bout you go upstairs and get that ready so we can have a tea party?”

“Ok!”

I watched her run towards the stairs before disappearing. Once I was sure she was gone, I focused my attention on Chance. The thought of him not having a girl took over my mind. Looks ran deep in the family so I was confused on why he was still single, but with me having some time to burn I would get to the bottom of it. The quietness swallowed us whole as I waited for him to say something first.

“That shit hurts every time she says somethin’ like that,” he cleared his throat.

“I mean her statement got me wonderin’ too,” I truthfully expressed. “It’s been about what four years since Keisha died?”

“Four years, three months and twenty-two days, but who’s countin’.”

“Yo’ ass. Why you been single for that long?”

“Honestly, I ain’t found the right one that I’ll introduce to my daughter. Don’t get me wrong I’ll fuck on bitches but that’s ‘bout as far as the shit goin’.”

“I feel ya on that. You don’t want just anybody around yo’ child. That’s exactly how I’m feelin’ with this fuck shit Nessa tryna pull. However, I need you to at least start trying to give one of them hoes a chance because it’s not just affectin’ you.”

“I know, I know. Luckily, she goes over there with Nessa and Nyla. Hell, Nessa best friend Yasmine be over there and she done built a relationship with Chanel. Even be textin’ a nigga checkin’ on her or askin’ for her size and stuff.”

“I remember Yas’ ass. Hell, why you ain’t pushed up on her?”

“A nigga be tryin’ but she shut me down every time I try to talk ‘bout us. Then, Nessa won’t play matchmaker for me. Talkin’ ‘bout she don’t wanna get in the middle in case it goes wrong.”

“Leave it to me. You ain’t never had no game when it came to the ladies.”

“Nigga, fuck you. I got game, she just a tough one to crack that’s all.”

“Uh huh. I got you doee. I’ll get Nessa to put a bug in Yas’ ear.”

“Bet.”