Page 13 of Zimyra

“Okay, so I’ve been at this company for a little over a year, and I don’t plan on staying another full year. I’ve been studying interior design on the side because in a few months, I plan on launching my own company. First, I need to know the ins and outs of the business side of the business. I need a business name, a website, an LLC – all that stuff.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but I must say—you already have what it takes. You don’t need any more classes. Look what you did to Alyssa’s store. Look at what you did to your apartment. You’ve always had an eye for detail and design. Your father used to tell me that when you were younger. He’d show you how to draw something, and you’d get it on the first try. You have a gift.”

“Thanks for saying that, Ma.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And you know what else?”

“What’s that?”

“I would love to see you fall in love.”

“Ma—”

“Wait, hear me out. If your brothers could find wives, then there’s no reason you can’t find a suitable husband.”

“First of all, Zander married his best friend, so that was convenient. We all knew he’d end up with Alyssa. Zavier met Nykendy while he was working.”

“And you can meet a man while you’re working. You get a lot of people going through there, right?”

I grin at her question. I had a fine man come through today, but his little stunt left a bad taste in my mouth and had me looking at him sideways.

I tell her, “It’s different for me.”

“How so?”

“I—I’m just not there yet, Ma. Let’s just leave it at that.”

The doorbell saves me from this conversation. I go answer it and see my nephew Kaden first, holding his favorite toy.

“Hey, y’all! Hey, Kaden.”

I pick him up and kiss him on the cheek.

“You see that, sweetheart. She doesn’t even acknowledge her brother anymore,” Zavier says.

“I do acknowledge you. Kaden is just so much cuter. How are you, Kendy?”

“I’m good, and I’m going to be great in a minute. It smells good up in here!”

“Yeah, it does,” Zavier says. “Where’s my Mother?”

“I’m in here, Zavier.”

I walk into the kitchen with Kaden in my arms. When he sees his grandma – the woman who spoils him rotten – his eyes brighten.

“Grandma,” he says, wiggling out of my arms and running over to her with those little legs of his. Preschool and speech therapy are doing wonders for his speech.

“Hey, baby. How’s grandma’s cutie pie? Huh? Are you doing good?”

“Yes.”

“Hey, Ma,” Zavier says, then kisses her on the cheek.

“Hey, son. How you doing, Nykendy?”

“I’m doing good, Ms. Zayda,” she tells her and steps up to give her a hug. “I hope you are, too.”

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