Page 30 of Tuesday

“I don’t get it. Tav is always on time. Mostly he’s early,” I say to no one in particular.

“Unless he’s with Blanche. That man is reluctant to leave that woman. His kid sounds the same,” Gus says.

Well, when he puts it like that.

“You doing OK, babe?” Rhodie asks, leaning his chin on the top of my head.

I nod, wiggling his head with my movement. I am good. Better than good. I feel all full up. Not too sure with what. It could be love, perhaps. All I know is that I feel content. Happy. Like there’s nothing else in the world for me to want. Oh, other than solving this whole Tito mystery. So far Wire has found that Tito is a free agent of sorts. He hires himself out to the highest bidder, which for the last decade or so has been the Cordoza family. Marx confirmed that Roman did take out the cartel, leaving the youngest son alive as he doesn’t get rid of children. Which seems awfully nice of him, given he’s Bratva and all.

My thoughts continue to drift, as does my gaze. I let it run over my family, both by blood and by choice. Judge is even grumpier and quieter than usual. I know he has history with the diner lady, but I have a feeling it’s a miscommunication. Humans are so bad at communicating efficiently. Wait, no, it’s not all humans. Just the neurotypical ones. Always hiding their thoughts and feelings. It must be exhausting. Judge stands up and paces the floor, stretching his long legs out before slumping back down into his chair. Tank murmurs something to him and I don’t even try to read his lips. Hopefully Tank can help Judge out because I’m not sure how long he can stay this tightly wound before he explodes.

Speaking of, Marx seems out of sorts. I wonder if it has something to do with Lovely but she seems like her usual self. Bustling around checking in on everyone, little Bee strapped to her front even though she’s huge now. Something is going on there but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“Why do you think your brother acts all weird around Lovely?” I murmur to Rhodie.

My body shakes a little in Rhodie’s lap as he chuckles. “You noticed that, huh?”

“Of course I did. I notice everything. It’s my super power.”

“Well, does your superpower have a romance radar?”

I frown up at Rhodie, “Why would it?”

“The reason Marx acts weird around Lovely is because he wants her but he thinks he can’t have her.” Rhodie looks at his brother, a smirk on his face.

“Wait, why does he think he can’t have her? She’s right there.”

“Because, my little menace, he doesn’t think he deserves her. He thinks he’s too old or too dirty or too fucked up or who knows what else he thinks,” Rhodie shrugs, jiggling me again.

“Normal people are so confusing,” I huff out.

“Oh, says the most complicated, confusing woman I’ve ever met.” Rhodie teases me. I let that one slide. He’s probably right. Rhodie is a simple man. He likes simple things and he’s landed with me. Poor guy.

“Ladies and gentleman, please allow me to introduce my daughter, Tess January Tombs,” Tav beams, holding up a pink, angry looking bundle.

I stare at the baby for a moment before her name sinks in. Tess. Like my mom. My throat feels tight and scratchy and my chest aches with something that feels like it could be heartburn or maybe what happens when you work out too hard. My eyes blink, trying to clear the mist and it’s not working. Large, warm arms wrap around me and Rhodie holds me tight. The pressure calming me from the outside in.

“It just hit you, didn’t it?” He whispers into my hair. I nod, snuggling closer, my arms folded up T Rex style as I burrow in.

“Dayz? You OK?” Tav’s voice is gentle and near, so I turn my head slightly to look at my big brother. “You didn’t want to use mom’s name did you? Because I can chan-”

“No!” I yell, before taking a breath, “No, no, you use it. I just had forgotten about Mom, it’s been so long. And then you came out with Tess and everything got bubbly inside me and the only way it could come out was through my eyeballs,” I explain, swiping at my cheeks before leaning forward to take a peek at baby Tess.

My breath catches, she looks just like my mom. Where the rest of us are all dark haired, dark eyed and light brown, Mom was fair with dark hair and blue eyes. Tav’s baby has the same coloring. Although, I mean, due to genetics she could get the dark hair and pale skin from Blanche. And babies’ eyes change color so really she could look like no one in our family. But does that even matter? Laney isn’t really related to us and looks like me and Rhodie. Tess belongs to Tav and Blanche and can look however she wants, she’ll still be family.

I reach out a finger and run it down her tiny hand. “She looks just like Mom, Tav. She deserves her name too.”

I must say the right thing because the worry in Tav’s eyes disappears and he grins big. “Thanks Dayz. I love you, little sis.” He whisks the baby away and I lean back into Rhodie, squishing my lip.

“You did good, baby,” Rhodie says. “You OK though?”

I think about it for a moment, and even though I feel full up of love or whatever, I’m feeling a little out of sorts and I think I know why. “I’m not OK. I’ve had too many emotions lately.”

“You worried you’re getting soft?” Rhodie teases.

“Yes! That’s exactly it. Come on, I need to get back to the old me. Let’s go dispose of Candice. That will help me until we have a new bad guy to work over.”

“Come on then, babe. Lets get rid of Candice, cuddle Chomper, watch Laney sleep, and then I’ll fuck you all dirty until you feel like yourself again.”

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