Page 6 of Smoke

“I had a great day. We had show-and-tell, and this boy brought his pet snake to class.”

“See, I would have said deuces to all of y’all ’cause no,” Renay said.

Korri giggled. “It was a baby, Auntie Nay.”

“It’s a snake. Anyway, is that homework done, KoKo?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s auntie’s smart girl.”

Grabbing my hand, Korri led me into the kitchen where my mother was at the stove cooking and my father sat in front of a checkerboard. Korri took a seat in front of him and went back to playing.

“Hey, y’all,” I said, making my rounds to hug and kiss my parents.

My mother kissed my cheek and rubbed my belly. “Hey, baby. How are you two feeling?”

“We’re okay, Mom.” I moved to my father. “Hey, Daddy. You aren’t cheating my baby, are you?”

He chuckled. “Just teaching her a lesson.”

I looked down at the board and smiled. Leaning in, I whispered in my baby’s ear. She nodded, then jumped three of his pieces.

“Gotcha, Grandpa!”

“’Cause your mama cheated for you.”

I giggled. “I was just evening the playing field with my experience.”

He waved me off but reached for a hug. “I know your mama already asked, but how are you, baby?”

“I’m okay, Daddy.”

“Hmmm….” Renay mumbled.

“Don’t start, Nay,” I warned her.

My father eyed me suspiciously. “We’ll talk. Have a seat. Dinner is almost done.”

I sighed as I took a seat next to Korri. My hands went to my belly, rubbing subconsciously as my thoughts drifted. In a few months, I was going to be a mother for the second time, and I hadn’t done a thing for this baby. I still had Korri’s crib, so that was one thing I didn’t have to buy, but I had nothing else.

Yes, I love little Juri as much as her sister, but I’d been miserable this whole pregnancy. All I wanted was for Patrick to disappear somewhere and never show his face again. I thought back to the day I met him. I’d just left the post office from picking up a few packages when I stopped to get gas.

There I was, paying for my fuel and a few snacks, when he walked into the gas station. Our eyes met, and he smiled at me. Patrick stood a little over six feet with a muscular build. He sported a low haircut with deep, thick waves. Tattoos peeked from beneath his Polo shirt, and diamonds glistened on his neck, ears, and wrists.

If I was being honest with myself, he looked like a typical dope boy. He was so devilishly handsome that I couldn’t help but blush as I looked away. He ended up behind me in line. His scent was captivating, and I could feel his eyes on me.

When it was my turn to pay for my things and as I told the cashier how much gas I wanted, he placed his on the counter as well.

“I’ve got hers,” he said to the cashier.

“You don’t need to do that,” I said, looking up at him.

“I know I don’t, but I don’t mind. Ring it up, bruh.”

The cashier didn’t give me a chance to protest further before he rang up everything together, and Patrick swiped his card.

“I guess I should say thank you,” I said, grabbing my bag.

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