Page 25 of Through Treacherous Weather
“Maybe,” he mumbled.
“You’ve been living here long enough that you should know us by now. I’m not your biological father, and Lauren isn’t your biological mother, but you’re family. She didn’t just say fuck you. She said fuck you, Sky, Shiloh, and Truth.”
“Man what?” Denim laughed making Justice smile.
“You know her ass is coming back. I messed up, so she just has to make me suffer a little bit. She deserves a break. In a few more weeks, there’s going to be a crying baby in the house. You ready for that?”
Denim nodded eagerly. “I am.” His family was big, but they were big and dysfunctional. When they did have family gatherings, it always ended bad. People argued and mistreated one another way more than they got along and showed one another love. Denim had never been around people like Justice, Lauren, and their family. Everyone loved one another and looked out for one another, and he could honestly say, they never treated him differently. Anything the other kids got, he got too. They went all out for his birthday and Christmas just like they did the other kids. Never once did any of them make Denim feel like he was a burden or like he didn’t belong.
Every night he prayed that he’d never have to leave them. He loved his mom because she was his mom, but he didn’t want to live with her. Denim was happy where he was, and he was worried that if something happened between Lauren and Justice, he’d have to choose between them.
“Have I ever lied to you?” Justice looked Denim in his eyes. Denim shook his head. “And I never will. I promise everything is good. You don’t have to worry about anything. You’re a part of this family. Forever.”
Denim smiled as the doorbell rang.
“Go get our food.”
Justice hadn’t had anything to smoke or drink in hours, and he felt pretty good. He decided that he was going to give himself a break from both and worry about his family. Everything else would fall into place.
Esco sat back and released a content sigh. “I have to give it to you. You can cook your ass off.”
His compliment made Fatima blush. “Thank you. I be trying to do a lil’ something.” She had cooked oxtails, rice, and plantains.
“If I keep eating like this, I know I’m going to gain a few pounds. Nigga gon’ be walking around looking like Buddha with the belly.”
Fatima smiled. “Nothing wrong with that. A lil’ belly is just a sign that you’re eating good.” She nibbled on her bottom lip as she contemplated whether she should go ahead and bite the bullet. Every day, she wanted to ask him if he had a girlfriend. With each passing day, she grew more curious, but she always stopped herself.
Fatima was interested in Esco, but she didn’t want to make the first move. She wondered if her asking about his relationship status would make her appear thirsty. Finally, she said fuck it. “You have a girlfriend?”
Esco’s eyes lifted from his phone, and he locked in on her face. Fatima’s body temperature rose a bit, but she tried to appear cool.
“I mean, I’m just making conversation.” She swallowed hard.
“Nah, I don’t have a girl. Haven’t had one in two years since me and my BM broke up.”
Fatima nodded. She hated the fact that she felt relieved. She wasn’t even sure where the feeling came from because despite him being single, he’d never given the impression that he was interested in her. Maybe once he stopped working for Wise things would be different.
“I think being single these days is hard. There aren’t a lot of good options out here. My family gives me hope because they’re all in love. All except my aunt Trinity.”
“Yeah,” Esco replied slowly. “You’re right about there not being a lot of good options out here but at the same time, I’m not actively looking. If it’s supposed to come, it’ll come in due time. I’m not going to force it, rush it, or spend too much time thinking about it. I’ve had custody of my daughter for two years now. I’m focused on creating a comfortable and stable life for her and building several streams of income for myself.”
Fatima nodded her understanding. She was shocked to hear that Esco was a single father. She didn’t meet those every day. She had to stop and ask herself if she’d want to seriously date someone that had a small child. As long as there wasn’t any baby mama drama, she didn’t have an issue with it for the most part. Just like it was rare to find good men, it was rare to find men that didn’t have kids. Even some of her classmates that had shown interest in her when she was in college had small kids. Fatima didn’t really care to date a man with children, but there was always an exception to the rule. That’s how fine Esco was.
“I definitely respect Loyal, Justice, and Wise for the change they made. I remember when all of them used to be hell. I guess it just goes to show you that if a man meets the person he feels is worth changing for he will.”
“I believe that.”
Fatima cleaned the kitchen as Esco scrolled on his phone. At that point, he was just making easy ass money. He was ready to start sleeping in his bed every night and being at home with his daughter, but he was making bank working closely with Fatima. Esco almost didn’t want the job to end. Most of his jobs were pretty laid back, however, this was his favorite one. He got to relax most of the day in a huge, luxurious crib. Fatima’s home was clean, and she was sophisticated.
When she was done, Fatima leaned on the kitchen counter. “I’m about to smoke. You want to join me?”
Esco chortled. “Shorty, do you want me to get fired? If Wise walks in here and sees me high, I’m pretty sure that will be my ass.”
“You’re funny. I’m an adult. Wise better be glad I’m even letting you stay here period. I know he wants to protect me, and I love him for that, but I’m grown, and so are you. You can smoke weed.”
Esco’s face was full of doubt. She may have very well had Wise wrapped around her finger, but that didn’t mean if he got caught smoking on the job, the man wouldn’t be pissed. Fatima sauntered into the living room leaving Esco in the kitchen. The blunt was already rolled, and it was the perfect way to end her evening.
By the time Fatima was lighting the blunt, Esco walked into the living room. He sat down, and she smoked in silence for a bit before extending it toward him. “You hitting it or nah?”
