Page 21 of Off the Charts
“If that changes, let me know.”
I wasn’t sure if he was talking to hear himself talk or if he was a man that meant what he said, so I ignored him and swiped through the app. The old school playlist filled the slight silence between us until I got bored with it.
“Are you from Harvest Hills?”
His left brow raised when he looked over at me. “Fuck no. Do I strike you as a corn picking, hillbilly ass nigga?”
“Hmm,” I pinched my index and thumb together. “A lil’ bit. You look like your grandma taught you how to pick collard greens.”
He smiled, running his tongue across his top lip. That shit made my stomach quiver. Yes, he was fine, but the way my senses were heightened felt deeper than I could understand and right now, I didn’t want to.
“I do actually while you talking shit. Turnips too.” he chuckled, making me laugh as well. “I moved here when I was eighteen. Got a full ride to HHU, so I've been here for eighteen years.”
“So, you’re thirty-six.”
Vayce took a heavy sip of his water and side-eyed me. “You can count, I see.”
“Nigga!” I playfully mushed his broad shoulder. “Where are you originally from?”
“Blaize Valley, Indigo Falls.”
“Ohhh. That’s how you know Honey.”
“Yeah. The Falls big, but small at the same time,” he merged on the interstate. Although he had a rapport with my son, he was still a stranger, so I was watching his every move and making sure his ass was following the GPS. “Since we playing twenty-one questions, you from here?”
“Born and raised. Green picking and all. This is my home. Y’all city people don’t appreciate shit.”
“What is there to appreciate?” Vayce looked over at me. “Yall got one of everything. One market. One mall. Three restaurants. Everybody know everybody. Shit is a culture shock.”
I hollered. “We do not have three restaurants, it’s almost ten. Don’t do that!” I laughed. “I know it was an adjustment for you coming from there to here.”
“It was and I hated it at first. After college, I was like I gotta get the fuck on but going back home ain’t always the best option. Harvest Hills has taught me how to steward my peace. Once you get a taste of a bit of freedom in your mind after fighting demons for so long, you’ll do anything to maintain it. I talk my shit but being here taught me how to be a man.”
I watched him speak. I love to talk, but it was rare that I crossed paths with someone who made me want to listen and I was holding onto his every word as if they…or he would slip away.
“I love that. Being here for thirty-five years has definitely taught me to appreciate the simple things in life. You have to make the most with what you are given. The added things can make life beautiful but there’s beauty in the small things. I like to water that.”
“I fuck with it.” Vayce was quiet for a beat. “Thirty-five. A son. Stubborn as fuck. Beautiful as a mutha’fucka,” he stole a quick glance. “A country bumpkin. What I’m missing, Jersei? What you like to do?”
“First of all, I’an country nigga. Your accent is just as heavy as mine,” I chuckled. “Hm. A lot. I’m into fermentation. I like making stuff from scratch and testing it out. I’m not working a traditional nine to five right now, but I’m trying to see what that looks like for me. I enjoy making wine, yeast, and studying the science of food.”
“You make your own wine?”
“I do.”
“That’s dope. I’ma have to get a glass one day.”
“We can arrange that.” I smiled. “You said you like to steward your peace. What does that look like? You’re an introvert?”
He blinked then shrugged. “I guess you can say that. I used to like being out clubbing, social events, all that. Shit, I couldn’t wait until Friday to see what the move was. That shit got old fast though ‘cause I started living earlier than I should’ve. By the time I got to college, the streets were lame to me. I was ready to settle down then. I told you the strip club is the kickoff of fucking off, but fucking off for me really means chilling. The students say I’m in my Unc era. Lil’ mutha’fuckas,” he chuckled, merging lanes. I smiled. “I rather spend the time I would in the streets doing something productive or finding new ways to make sure I’m good spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The best place for that to happen is in the comfort of my own home. Humans come with too much baggage and my own is enough. So yeah, I guess I am an introvert ‘cause I love being alone. Being disconnected with the real world keep me in one of my own.”
I blinked, glancing down at his empty ring finger. I couldn’t help but wonder what his story was or why a man that looked this damn good was single. What were his red flags?
“Peace is a beautiful thing. People spend their whole lives searching for it so I’m glad you have it and use it to help the next generation.” He nodded his head in agreement. “Being that yourpeace is important, I know you run a tight ship, huh?” I teased. “It’s strict around here?”
“Very.” Vayce smirked, glancing over at me. “Because without structure, there is chaos.”
My lips turned in a downwards smile. “I know that’s right.”
