Page 44 of Crossing the Lines for Love

“I feel great. You look good too. Life must be treating you well.”

“Not bad, but we can talk more over dinner. Let me put your luggage in the trunk.”

She stepped to the side. I grabbed her suitcase and put it in the trunk before opening the passenger side door for her. Once we were both in the car, it felt awkward. I didn’t have a lot to say, so I didn’t say anything.

“Will you be this way for my entire visit?” she finally asked.

“What way?”

“Quiet and distant.”

“Is that what you think?”

“You haven’t spoken since we’ve been in the car, and I can feel the tension between us.”

“Chanice, I’m not sure what you’re expecting from me. You planned this surprise visit to see my son, not me.”

“Our son.”

“Really? Because if I asked Niko who you were, he’d have no clue. I’m pretty sure most kids can pick their mother out of a lineup, but I guarantee Niko can’t.”

“I can see how this visit is going to go.”

“I’m hoping it will go well, and my son isn’t traumatized too much. You asked me to pretend you didn’t exist as far as he was concerned and said you’d reach out when you wanted pictures or videos of him. When was the last time you did that?”

“We had an agreement, so you have no right to be mad.”

My mood had been shit since Aranda snuck out in the wee hours of the morning, and I didn’t want to go back and forth with Chanice.

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m starving.”

We didn’t speak again until we were seated in a booth at Elm Street Blues and had ordered our food and drinks.

“So, how long are you visiting?” I asked.

“I have a month of leave, but I planned to only be here for a week.”

“I drop Deuce off at school in the morning, and one or both of my parents pick him up. He attends half-day kindergarten at a private school.”

“They don’t have all-day kindergarten in Cali?”

“I’m sure they do, but he attends for half the day. If you plan to spend time with him, we can arrange it with my mother for the afternoon.”

“I was thinking I could take him to the zoo and the museum while I’m here. Do you think that’s something a four-year-old would enjoy?”

“He’s five, Chanice. How do you not know when you gave birth?”

“I meant to say five. It’s not that serious.”

I closed my eyes as I slowly inhaled and exhaled. “You not remembering when you gave birth is crazy work, but I digress. Deuce would like the zoo or museum. He enjoys doing things with the people who love him, although I’m not sure you’re one of those people.”

“Wow, Niko. That was low.”

“But was it a lie? He’ll be able to sense if you’re genuine or not.”

She huffed, ignoring what I’d said. “I didn’t rent a car. Would I be able to borrow yours while you’re at work? What do you do, anyway?”

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