Page 82 of Senior

“Y’all blowing my high, so I’m finna go.”

I didn’t give them a chance to say shit else to me before I was walking out the door. I was done with this workout and this conversation.

When I walked into my house, I fully expected to go straight upstairs and shower. Instead, I was met with my wife chopping it up with my father in my living room. The kids were at school, so it was just the two of them. He didn’t have a reason to be here right now, letting me know this was an attempt to make me talk.

Salima looked up and smiled when she saw me.

“Hey, Deucy. How was your workout?”

“Fine, love. I’m going to take a shower.”

I started to walk off but Senior stopped me.

“So, you don’t see me sitting here?” he asked as I attempted to walk past them.

“I didn’t invite you here.”

“Deuce!” Salima scolded. “Don’t act like that.”

“He’s your guest. Not mine. Y’all be good.”

“Stanley!” she snapped, jumping to her feet. She rounded the couch and stood in front of me with her arms crossed. “You got me fucked up if you think you’re gonna dismiss me like that.”

“I didn’t dismiss⁠—”

“Furthermore!” she said, raising her voice. “You aren’t gonna dismiss this man like that. That’s your father, Stanley. The only one you’re ever gonna get. Like damn. I knew you could be slightly overbearing but come on. You’re walking around here mad at the world because he and your mama have something going on. Get over it! You’re acting like a fucking child. Let those grown ass people be happy.”

She grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me over to the couch where my father was.

“Sit down,” she demanded, pointing at the spot.

I kissed my teeth. “Man⁠—”

“I said sit the fuck down!” she yelled.

I fell back on the couch. She huffed and brushed her hair from her face.

“Got me raising my voice and shit, knowing I don’t even like to get like this.” She turned to my father. “Daddy, talk to your son. I have a meeting with a client. When I’m done, I’m going to pick the kids up and we will be over for dinner with you and Mama Steph later.” She threw me a look. “All four of us.” She stooped and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby girl.”

My wife glared at me. “You better talk to him and you better be in a better mood when I get back here with your kids.”

She mushed my head before stepping over my feet, grabbed her purse and keys and headed out the front door. I shook my head as I sat up. Pulling the blunt from behind my ear, I retrieved my lighter and sparked it up.

Beside me, Senior chuckled.

“You are more like me than you care to admit,” he said. “Salima is just like your mama. The only woman with the ability to gather me and put me in my place.”

I snorted. “Too bad you don’t know how to stay there,” I muttered.

To that, I was met with a hard slap to the back of my head.

“Watch your fucking mouth,” he snapped at me. “Now I promised your mama I wouldn’t put my hands on you, and I’m trying to keep that promise. You’re gonna sit here, shut the fuck up, and listen. You understand me?”

I kissed my teeth. “Man, go ‘head.”

He sighed heavily. “I don’t owe you an explanation, Stanley. I don’t have to justify a damn thing to you regarding me dating your mother. But you’re my son… my first born. I love you and your mother, and I don’t like this shit going on between us. This talk ain’t changing the fact that I’m where I want to be, but maybe it will clarify something for me.”