Page 19 of Senior

Today was Saturday and Maceo’s birthday. Per usual, the Dillinger clan was throwing a party on the compound. I’d come to help out and celebrate with the family. Currently I was in the kitchen at the big house with Ms. Rebecca, Tavia, Allison and Jeanie.

I looked down at the fitted, red halter style dress I was wearing. It hugged my womanly curves, clinging to all the right places. I’d stopped for gas on the way over here and caught the attention of several men of various ages and ethnic backgrounds. Needless to say, it gave me a bit of an ego boost.

“Thank you, Mama,” I said, doing a little twirl. “I try.”

“Mmm hmmm. Who are you trying for?”

I laughed. “Myself and myself only. When you look good, you feel good. It doesn’t have to be for a man.”

“I know that’s right,” Jeanie said, slapping me five. “Take it from me, sometimes you just have to cut the dead weight. No offense, Mama.”

Ms. Rebecca waved her off. “None taken. I told you a long time ago, if you aren’t gonna leave, start doing you since my son is friendly with his private parts. I can’t believe he drug his foot on this divorce this long.”

“Don’t worry,” Jeanie said. “I’ve got something for him. I don’t even need him to sign the papers at this point. I’ve retained a new lawyer since all of mine seem to end up missing before we even get to court.”

Allison whistled. “Chile. Y’all make me thankful my husband is the man he is. My brothers, cousins or a hired hit man would have run up on Blake by now if I were you.”

“I don’t want to hurt him. I just want him to leave me alone. We’ve been separated for years. I’ve served him papers on several occasions, and he refuses to sign it. At first, I was enjoying making him sweat, but it’s gotten old. Our kids are grown. I’ve moved out. I don’t ask him for shit. How do you love me but won’t do right or let me go? I’m tired. I just want to be done.”

She was getting teary-eyed, so I reached out to hug her. I’d known Jeanie since before she started dating Blake. She was a good woman. Her character flaw was being too loyal to the wrong man. She always put him and their children above herself. It was way past time for her to be happy too.

“I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes.

“Don’t be sorry, baby,” Ms. Rebecca said. “You took more than I would have in your position. If Blake was my husband, God rest his soul, he would have been met his Heavenly Father messing with me. You gave him too many of your good years. Take your best years however you see fit. Sometimes, niggas just ain’t shit and will never be shit. I love my son but he’s one of them.”

“Hell, being Senior’s baby mama is better than this.”

“Don’t bring my name up in shit.”

We looked back to see the handsome devil himself strolling in through the back door.

“Don’t bring your ass in my kitchen, Stanley,” Ms. Rebecca fussed.

“I just came to get the rest of the meat for the grill. Calm down.”

“Mmm hmm.”

He grinned as he made his way toward the fridge, not missing the opportunity to pick with Tavia and Allison. When he reached me, he stopped and stared at me for a moment. I didn’t miss the way his eyes slowly perused my frame, lingering on my ass.

“Hey, Steph. When did you get here?”

“About fifteen minutes ago.”

He abandoned the fridge and came over to hug me. Since my hands were preoccupied, he slid an arm around my waist and leaned into me, pressing a kiss to my temple. My eyes involuntarily closed when I caught a whiff of his scent. I wasn’t sure what he was wearing, but shit, he smelled divine.

“Good to see you, love,” he said.

“Well, it’s better to be seen than viewed.”

“That’s for sure.”

As he said the last part, I caught his eyes lingering on my ass again. A smirk formed on my face but quickly fell as I caught Tavia and Allison looking at me.

“Take that meat and go on somewhere, Senior,” his mother said.

“Yeah, Senior,” Allison chimed in. “Take your meat elsewhere.”

Beside her, Tavia tried her hardest to stifle a laugh.