Page 27 of Senior

“Just… sometimes I wondered if he were a second choice. I mean, I saw that dance you shared with Deuce’s father at the wedding. You two looked real cozy and I could see the love between you two. I wondered if he was the one that got away or if my brother was a consolation prize.”

I scoffed. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t get defensive. Anyone with eyes would ask the same thing. He’s always around. There have been times when I drove over to see you and I kept going when I saw he was there. It feels like I’m intruding on something when I’m around you two.”

“Okay, Kathy. I think I’m gonna go.” I reached into my purse and grabbed my wallet. “I don’t know how we got to this point, but yeah. It’s best if I leave now. Thanks for lunch.”

I peeled off enough money to cover the bill and stood to my feet. She called my name repeatedly as I walked toward the door. I knew I should have stayed my ass at home. It was the fact that I rarely hung out with that woman if it wasn’t a family setting. Aaron loved his sister, but even he’d warned me to be mindful of the company I kept with her.

I knew right then and there, if I ever took that man back, she would be the first one starting a rumor and my husband would be rolling over in his grave. I was too damn old to be involved in some messy shit. This was why I didn’t have too many female friends. Even at our big ages, bitches were messy.

I didn’t want or need that shit.

“You are about to be banned from grandpa duty, old man,” Smoke said as they walked into my house. “Every time I look around these days, you calling us to come get these kids.”

The kids were out of school for a teacher work day, so they’d been with me all day long.

“Boy, I said I was spending time with them today. Ain’t nobody asked to spend the night and Pop Pop had a long day.”

“Let me find out you getting old and cantankerous.”

Quaid chuckled and patted his shoulder. “That’s a big word for Elmo.”

Smoke snatched away from him. “Nigga, shut up. You wanna know another word? Beat. As in I will beat you the fuck you up. Don’t make me have to put these paws on you, dawg.”

“I’m not worried about that. All I have to do is outrun your big ass.”

“I bet you can’t outrun these bullets.”

“Aye now!” I said, clapping my hands. “Don’t bring that shit in here. I am not in the mood for all that bickering.”

Deuce snickered. “Yeah, he’s getting old. You know old people don’t like unnecessary noise.”

“You niggas would be lucky to live to get to my age. All the bullshit y’all drug me through a few years ago? It’s a wonder I ain’t dead. I can finally enjoy my retirement and part of that enjoyment means y’all coming to get your kids when I call you.”

Maceo kissed his teeth. “You talking all this shit but guess who is gonna be calling them on that damn tablet an hour from now.”

“Right,” Kerrion agreed. “The moment one of them starts crying for him to get them, he’s gonna be knocking on our door.”

Titan chuckled. “You really are the biggest sucker about these kids, Senior. Don’t stand on no kind of business.”

They all started laughing and talking at once. I walked away, leaving them in the foyer. The kids were running around out back, so I headed out there. My backyard looked like a damn daycare playground at this point. I had swings, a treehouse, a seesaw, slides and a sand pit. The kids had toys all over the place.

I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled. “Aye y’all! Time to clean up! Time to go!”

They all looked at me, and immediately, KJ and the twins started crying.

Sydney ran to me and threw her arms around my legs. “No, Papa!”

“I’m not ready to go!” Serena wailed, following suit.

“Baby girls, you’ve been with Papa all day.”

They started crying harder. Most of the littles gathered around me asking why they had to leave. My sons found this shit funny. They stood back with their arms crossed and grins on their faces. I palmed my face because it really was hard to say no to these babies.

Smoke chuckled as he finally intervened. “A’ight girls. Come on. Daddy will take you to Pixels and Pizza for dinner.”

Most of the littles scrambled to their fathers, begging to go as well. The older ones didn’t care one way or the other. Darlyn stood with her arms crossed and her lip poked out.