Page 36 of Until Forever

“I’ll get him there intact,” I say with a grin.

“You can trust us, Mom.” JJ is up on his feet now and throwing his book bag over his shoulder, somewhat struggling to get the bag, that’s a little too big for his body, in place.

I hold my arms out at my sides. “Do you trust us?”

It takes her a moment. “Straight to school. And you, young man, better behave today. I really need you to cooperate. Mrs. Fiona isn’t too happy with us right now, and unless you don’t want to have your Black Panther party—”

“Nooo,” JJ begs.

“Then we can’t be late anymore, otherwise, Mommy won’t be able to afford to hire King T’Challa.”

I smile.

“Okay. I’ll be good.”

She kisses his cheek. “Thank you.” Latoya wipes the place she pecked him.

“Come on, Mom, not in front of Dad.”

“Hey, that’s all you. I’d happily let your momma kiss me.”

She smacks me on the chest. “Be quiet.”

I grin. “Ready?” I ask, directing my words at JJ.

He nods and reaches for the doorknob.

“Do you need me to drop him off at your parents’?” I ask over my shoulder.

He grunts. “I don’t wanna go there.”

“JJ,” she lets out.

He doesn’t respond except to open the door and stomp his way out.

“What’s he talking about?”

“He doesn’t want to go to my parents’. But I’m working back-to-back doubles for the next three days, so he has to go.”

“I can keep him,” I say before I realize what’s coming out of my mouth.

She’s quiet for a second, trying to determine if she should take me up on my offer. “I don’t know, Jas.” She locks up the house and turns to me.

“Seriously, I don’t mind. I’d actually love spending an entire three days with him. And if it makes you comfortable, we can stay here.”

She doesn’t answer.

“Come on, he’ll have fun, and that way you don’t have to worry about him acting out all weekend. Besides, we’re supposed to be bonding, right? I’ll even text you every hour on the hour. What do you say?”

Her shoulders seem to relax as she stares at JJ who’s parked himself near my van. “He would love that.”

“See. I’ve got this, don’t worry.” I hold out a hand to help her down the three small steps.

“Fine.” She removes a key from her ring and hands it to me. “Here’s the spare. He gets out of school at three forty-five every evening, but he has practice today. He gets an hour of video game time after he finishes his homework. Bedtime is eight-thirty, and make sure he brushes his teeth first. You’ll have to check because he’ll splash water on his lips and tell you he’s all done.”

I try not to laugh.

“He needs to be at school no earlier than seven-thirty in the mornings. I’m working all day the next three days but will be home Saturday morning.” She digs in her purse for her phone. “I’ll AirDrop his teacher’s and coach’s number. If there is an emergency, call the nurses’ station, they’ll get a hold of me, but text me anyway. JJ knows the direct number to my department.”

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