Page 44 of Off the Charts
When they left, I went full mommy mode. While Zion took his bath I unpacked his things. We were now sitting in the kitchen talking about the details of his summer that slipped his mind. I’d made his favorite meal: chicken tetrazzini, olive oil fried chicken, and homemade garlic toast. Knowing that I had a date with Vayce this weekend, I decided to save my cheat day and made a quinoa salad to pair with my toast.
“Soooo, someone has a birthday coming up.” He chewed his food, nodding his big ass head. I chuckled.
“Sure does! I am getting closer and closer to paying bills. Can you believe it, Mama?”
I hollered. “Boy, you so funny. I cannot believe it but listen. I know your dad and I usually do a surprise at the house. I don’t want your special day to feel repetitive so what do you want to do?”
Zy tapped his chin. “Well, there aren’t many places here Mom, so I’m good with whatever you plan. As long as you, Granny, Tee Tee Jade, and Dad are there, I am okay. I know I will have fun, and I trust you.”
I smiled. I hope Solomon wasn’t getting bent over a balcony overseas and could show up for his party. I was going to do my part and send him the invite, but anything past that was on him.
Zion and I finished eating and as I did the dishes, he sat at the island ahead of me spinning in the chair.
“Mom, how was the cabin? Did you have fun?”
I smiled. “It was really nice. Every day was different in a good way. You ever had the type of fun you didn’t expect?” He nodded, still twirling. “That’s how it was. I rode bikes in the mountains, got on a boat, sat by the fire, and recharged. It was great!”
My mind drifted off to how fast Vayce got acquainted with my body like they were long lost friends. I could still feel his touch on my skin and his beard tickling places most would say he shouldn’t be. He went back home last week to be with Valen, and this week has been busy with me training for work and him training at the gym. The communication remained persistent and every morning around eleven fifteen, I got fresh magnolias at my front door. I wasn’t falling because I’d already landed flat on my face, and I was good down here. The two weeks in the cabin solidified that and I was looking forward to this weekend and past that, whatever else was to come between us.
“That’s good. I didn’t know you had summer plans, but I am glad you went and had fun,” Zy pushed his hand to the counter to boost his spin. “The day we talked while you were cooking the beef tips.”
My brow raised. “Mhm?”
“There was a man in the background. He walked by fast, but I caught him. If I may ask in a child’s place, who was that man, Mom?”
My eyes widened as I looked at the dishes. There was a meme of a woman in court in a blue shirt who I’m sure I looked exactly like at this moment.Thislil’ fake ass private investigator.I remembered the exact day he was referring to. Vayce and Iweren’t hiding, but I wanted to tell Zy face-to-face, but this was not how I pictured this conversation starting. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a towel to dry the dishes.
“Can you stop spinning and look at me?” He stopped and gave me his big, bright, curious eyes. “First, I want to say I was not keeping a secret; I wanted to talk to you when you were home and settled. But, to make a long story short, I am dating a man, and we did spend two weeks together in the cabin.”
Zion leaned forward and I could tell he was really tuned in. His little brows furrowed. “Where did you meet him?”
“Uhh,” I popped my tongue. “I met him at your school. He’s your counselor…Mr. Denver.”
Zion jumped out his seat, shocking the hell out of me. “I knew it! I knew it!” He pumped his fist up, giggling. “Mom, I knew it! You were so mad, but you had them big googly eyes when we were in Doctor Voss’ office. Remember the girl Maddie that I told you was ugly from my math class that I don’t like back?”
I laughed. “Yeah, Zy. I remember, baby.”
“How Maddie looks at me is how you and Mr. Denver looked at each other! Oh man, this is great, Mom. I knew it!”
I didn’t know if I was supposed to laugh or be shocked or to record my eyes when I looked at Vayce. The time in his office, I felt fire in my eyes from anger, but Zy had a different perspective. He danced around the floor for another minute before sitting back down.
“Alright. First things first, I was not looking at him with no googly eyes,” I pointed the towel at him.
“You were. It was like this,” he bucked his eyes, blinking hard a few times.
I was cracking up. “Whatever!”
“But, he is very nice and helps me a lot. I like him, Mom.”
I smiled. “He is nice, but how does that make you feel that I am dating a man that isn’t your dad?”
He shrugged. “When I found out Daddy had a girlfriend,”Boyfriend. I corrected him in my head. “I told you that you needed someone to make you happy too. Dad is happy, so does Mr. Denver make you happy?”
The mere thought of the butterflies I get around Vayce made me smile. “He makes me happy, but he also brings me joy, Zy.”
“Cool. Then I am happy too and I promise to not tell anyone,” he zipped his lips.
Reaching over, I ruffled his curls. I truly had the coolest kid on the planet. “I appreciate that baby and thank you for being so understanding. I am hoping to invite him to your birthday party too.”
