Page 6 of Senior

She giggled. “I wanna see you, but I want cookies too. Please, G-Daddy? I’ve been a good girl; I got all gold stars this week.”

I shook my head. “I guess that deserves cookies. What kind do you want?”

“Chocolate chip.”

“I got you.”

She squealed. “Thank you, G-Daddy! I love you!”

“I love you too. Give your mama the phone.”

I could hear her running and calling for Tavia.

“Girl, who do you have on this phone?”

“G-Daddy.”

“Of course. Hello?”

“Hey, Tay.”

“Hey, Senior. What has this girl asked you for now?”

“Cookies.”

She sighed. “She doesn’t need cookies. I made brownies for dessert.”

“Well, my girl doesn’t want brownies. I’ll be over there in a little bit. Y’all need anything else?”

“No, Stanley. Oh, Steph is here too.”

“Oh, she’s staying for dinner?”

“Yes. You’re welcome to stay. I don’t think Emmy is gonna let you go.”

“Say less. I’m on the way.”

“See you soon.”

We disconnected the call and I stood from my rocker. This was what my retirement had been reduced to. This house was too big and too lonely. I was almost tempted to grab my grandkids when I made it back. It would be nice to come home to someone. Not even come home because I didn’t go any damn where these days.

It would just be nice to have someone. Maybe one of these days it would happen.

I pulled into Tavia’s driveway behind Steph’s BMW and shut my car off. I managed to catch the bakery just as they put out a new batch of cookies so I was sure baby girl would be happy about that. Opening my door, I climbed out with the cookies in hand and made my way up the front steps.

I didn’t even get to knock before the door opened, and there stood Emmy with a wide smile.

“G-Daddy!” she exclaimed, her voice full of excitement.

“Hey, Emmy Cakes. Can G-Daddy get some love?”

She opened her little arms, and I scooped her up. The girl damn near choked my neck as she hugged me and kissed my cheek.

“How many cookies did you bring me?”

“Baby girl, I brought cookies for everybody, not just you.”

“It can be a secret.”