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“I’m fine to wait.”
“Okay. How about I get for us both? Do you want a hamburger, hot dog or both?”
“Both?” She gave him an incredulous look. “I think not. Just a hamburger with lettuce and tomatoes.”
“Sounds good.” Jay handed Ciara to Misha, though the baby wasn’t thrilled to be left behind.
“He’ll be back, baby,” Misha reassured her as she took a bib from the diaper bag and put it on her. “Have a bit of carrot.”
Her mom had cooked up some carrots and sweet potatoes to bring with them. They were soft enough that Ciara could eat them without choking.
Though Misha was happy that they were celebrating Cole’s accomplishment, she couldn’t help but think of the kids in her Atlanta community. Some never had the chance to graduate because their attention was pulled in different directions, whether it was their home environment or obligations to their family. Others had to struggle to reach that milestone.
Davontae hadn’t graduated from high school, rebelling against the constraints of being in an educational environment. Determined to make a different life for herself, Misha had worked hard and even managed to graduate early. Raden had also graduated, with plans to get a degree in engineering so that he could provide a better life for his child.
“Here you go,” Jay said as he set one of the plates he carried in front of her. In addition to the burger, there was a big scoop of potato salad and a bag of chips. “I’ll grab us some drinks.”
Misha smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He rested his hand on her back for a moment. “I’ll be right back.”
When Jay returned, he had her mom with him. A couple of other people who knew Jay and Janessa joined them, giving Misha and her mom friendly smiles when they were introduced.
“Do you want me to take her?” her mom asked as Ciara squealed and wriggled in Misha’s lap.
“You go ahead and eat,” Misha told her. “Once you’re done, we can switch off.”
“Okay.”
As she helped Ciara eat, Misha had a moment of wondering if she was dreaming. Everything surrounding them felt so surreal, something she never would have imagined being part of. It was like a scene out of a family-oriented movie or television show. So foreign to her.
“You okay?” Jay asked, making Misha realize she’d spaced out.
She gave him a reassuring smile. “Yep. It’s all good.”
He didn’t look totally convinced, but he let it go.
“Is Will coming today?”
“I thought he was,” Jay said. “But maybe not.”
She knew that Jay was worried about his friend who was going through his first serious breakup. She hadn’t known Will and Daphne as a couple, so she had no idea how things had deteriorated between them over time. All she knew was that it was hard to see the sadness on Will’s face.
“Want me to text him?” Janessa asked.
Jay arched a brow at her. “You think he’ll answer you?”
“People aren’t usually able to ignore me for long.”
“This is true,” Jay agreed. “You’re like that annoying itch in the center of your back that you just can’t reach to get rid of it.”
“I’m anitch?” Janessa rolled her eyes, making their friends at the table laugh. They were clearly used to the bickering siblings.
“I’m done,” her mom said a few minutes later. “Hand her over.”
Ciara’s hands were a mess, but her mom managed to maneuver the baby around without getting orange mushsmeared on her. Pro-mom move, for sure. One that Misha hadn’t perfected just yet.
Ciara seemed to be happy across the table from them because she could still see her and Jay. Misha was glad that she wasn’t fussy. She’d had a good nap before coming, so that helped.
