Page 49 of Lyric Squared
“Oh that little slap on the wrist was nothing for you. I’m sure you did that time with a smile on your face, son. I know you. Your aunt might’ve kept you, but I raised you. I’m no fool. Don’t insult me,” she fussed, sitting down and grabbing her coffee.
“You think you know everything,” I teased.
“I do when it comes to you and that damn Kale. You ate? Don’t look like it.”
She was a handful, but I loved her, nonetheless.
“No ma’am. I have not eaten.”
“Ma’am? Boy, if you don’t shut that mouth up of yours.”
She hated to be referred to as anything other than Nanny, not even ma’am.
“I haven’t eaten.”
She stood again, this time much slower.
“Lock that door over there. I don’t want nobody coming in behind you.”
“You want me to yourself, huh?”
“I damn sure do, now lock that door and close my storm door.”
She was selfish with me. Whenever she had the chance, she’d put everyone out of her home to spend time alone with me. Sometimes, Kale didn’t even get a pass. It wasn’t a secret that she was my confidant. Our time together was the only time that I was able to unveil. My armor was left at her doorstep every time I crossed it. I could stand tall or I could crumble before Nanny and when I walked out of the door she’d see me as the same man as I was when I came through the door. Most times, an even better man.
I locked up and closed her door as she’d requested and then followed her into the kitchen where she removed a carton of eggs from the fridge. Inwardly, I rejoiced.Cheese eggs. I’d choose them over any dish you put in front of me and Nanny knew it.
“Now, what’s eating away at you? I can see the sadness in your eyes, Keanu, so don’t bullshit me. I’ll come across your head with this skillet.”
She wouldn’t. I knew it. She knew it. But I also knew that lying to her wouldn’t end well, either.
“She wrote me while I was away,” I admitted, causing her to turn all the way around from the stove in my direction.
“Are you serious?”
She knew, though no one else did. Long before a letter and long before my one night in heaven, Nanny knew. For that, giving a name wasn’t necessary.
“Halfway into my bid.”
“Around your birthday?”
Glory be to God, her memory was as sharp as a sword’s end.
“On my birthday.”
“And said what?”
“How long she’s been in love with me and how much she fantasizes about a life together.”
“And, what did you say to her in return?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.”
“Keanu, have I not taught you shit?” she hissed, shaking her head as she placed a dollop of butter in the skillet. “If that’s what’s got your panties in a bunch, then good for you.”
