Page 144 of Don Caselli

He wore so many hats that at times I forgot that he was an accountant. “Which is true… do you think you can set my parents an account up? I think once they see it, they will finally quit their jobs.”

“Got you… say it.”

“I love you, Landon Caselli.”

“Love you, too, Bleu…Where Mink?”

Mink finished her water and was rested by my chair. “Right here. She’s tired from our walk together.”

“And you still don’t want to admit that she’s overweight.”

“Byeeee!” I snorted and ended the call on him.

We sat in the house for the rest of the morning before I grabbed Mink and we walked to my parents’ house. My father was off from work today, and I wanted to hang with him. Jett followed along with me, not understanding why I wanted to walk when I could get a ride. There was nothing like walking in Brooklyn when the weather was nice.

It was beautiful out here, and I wanted to enjoy it while walking my girl. Climbing the steps to my parents’ apartment, I used my key and let myself in. “Avril?”

“It’s me, Daddy.”

“Oh, what up, Mamas? What you doing over here?” I heard his voice from the back, and he rounded the corner. “Oh, what up, Mink!”

He got down and petted her, as she held out her paw, something he taught her. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Everything good?”

“Yep. Just wanted to talk to you about something.” He hugged and kissed me on the cheek and then walked into the living room.

Mink got comfortable in front of the air conditioner, and I plopped on the couch, kicking my shoes off. “Your security still following you?”

I laughed. “He’s Landon’s security.”

“Nah, he’s your security. Don making sure his girl is protected… I respect him for that.” He was watchingLaw and Orderreruns, with a beer and leftovers from the night before.

“You like him, huh?”

“He’s a good man… had respect when I first met him and has maintained that.”

I nodded. “He has… always straight forward, too. Never had to question anything with him, which is refreshing.”

He patted the empty couch next to us, to get my attention. “What’s going on with this retirement mess your mama keep talking about?”

“Daddy, I want to show you something.” I quickly maneuvered the mobile app I had downloaded before leaving my apartment.

Handing him the phone, he looked at the screen, and then back at me. “Mamas, you fucking with me, right?”

“Swear, Daddy… this isn’t fake and he’s very serious about this.”

My father grabbed his glasses and stared at the screen. “Your mother said co-owner of the New York Sonics… you know she be smoking with Cindy, so I ain’t pay her no mind.”

Although I told my father over text message, this was the first time we were sitting down and actually discussing it. I knew when he went to work that next morning that he didn’t believe it. Even though my mother was right there when Landon told her, I knew she had a hard time believing it, too.

“I am. I can show you the paperwork, too, if you want.”

“I believe you, Mamas. Incredible.” He was at a loss for words.

I smiled. “This is for our family. He wants me to retire you all, and for you to do whatever with the money. Really put the time into your business with my uncles. We don’t need to worry about Nana and Poppa’s rent because it can be paid.”

“My guy,” he whispered.

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