Page 83 of Honey's Special Roux

He gave me a kiss on my nose before he wiggled out of my grip and ran off to the living room. The gesture made me laugh despite the emotions coursing through my body. I disappointed myself because I should have known Marquise was on the same type of shit he got locked up for. I shouldn’t have allowed him the chance to be in our lives without being certain he was a better person than before.

I’m a dummy for letting him back into my life. I should have got the hell out of town when we crossed paths all those months ago.

It had been over a day since Quis had called his father to come over. I was ready to block Marquise from everything again. I didn’t play about my son, and if Marquise couldn’t keep his word with me or his child, I would drop him like a sack of potatoes.

Knock, knock.

The sound of a firm tap on the front door brought me out of my thoughts. We weren’t expecting any visitors, and not too many people knew our address. The walk to the door was quick. I looked through the peephole but couldn’t make out what I saw. I twisted the locks and peered through the cracked door.

“What the hell?”

Marquise grinned. “Hey, baby.”

“What do you have on?” I asked with amusement. I didn’t want to give him a smile, but he looked ridiculous.

The green blow-up T-Rex costume was huge. It was the type of costume you’d see in a sitcom during a Halloween episode or something. Why was this gangster ass man wearing this silly ass wardrobe?

“I felt bad the way our call ended. Then yesterday got out of my hands. I wanted to make things up to you and Quis.”

“You let street shit consume you yesterday, right?” I asked as I placed my hand on my hip.

“Honey—”

“Mommy—oh… my… goodness! Mr. Marquise, you’re a dinosaur,” Quis screamed with pure bliss, interrupting whatever excuse Marquise was about to spew out of his mouth.

“I couldn’t find a brachiosaurus costume, so I figured this would be the next best thing.” Marquise ducked his head down and waddled into the house. He damn near knocked over a lamp and three picture frames on his way into the living room. Quis’s eyes were bright with eagerness to explore the crazy shit Marquise had on.

“I love it,” Quis exclaimed. He played with Marquise for a few minutes.

“Can you let me and your mom talk for a few minutes? If you meet me outside, we can chase each other around for a while.”

Quis nodded. “Okay. Be fast, please.”

Once he had disappeared toward the back door, Marquise turned his attention to me. “I’m sorry if I made you mad yesterday.” He reached out to me with his tiny ass T-Rex arms, and I fought a laugh.

“Marquise, I meant everything I said. I don’t want my child—our child—to see you behind bars.”

“I know. I’m sorry for everything, Honey. I’m sorry for being in a position to get locked up the first time. I’m sorry we spent so much time apart. I should have never let you walk away from me those years ago. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Don’t be sorry. I need more than words. I need action. I need changed behavior. From what I saw the last few months, I was pleased… until yesterday.”

He nodded. “I know. All of that street shit is behind me. I promise.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Mr. Marquise!” Quis called out.

“Here I come,” Marquise shouted back. He turned his attention to me. “One of these days, I hope he starts calling me dad.”

“It’ll come.” I smiled and pushed him toward the back door. “Don’t keep my baby waiting any longer.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

It might have been foolish for me to give him another chance, but what could I say? I was a sucker for my first love. Marquise was my first everything, and I kind of wanted to see our happily ever after—if he didn’t fuck up anymore.

* * *

The afternoon shifted into the evening, and Marquise and Quis were inseparable. After Marquise took off the dinosaur costume, they played outside until the sun set. It was something about watching the two of them bond that had my hormones raging.

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