Page 16 of Falling for Autumn
He nodded. “You do that.”
I stood and walked him to the door. Leaning in my doorway, I watched until he disappeared into the house. There was something he didn’t want to talk about, and it only ignited my curiosity.
Chapter 7
October
TWO YEARS LATER
Ihonestly don’t know when it happened, and I couldn’t tell you how it happened. All I know is that I was really feeling this girl. I looked forward to seeing Autumn and Auburn. I didn’t see them every day, but I often made up excuses to drop by and check on them.
Two-year-old Auburn was a bright spark in my day, and she learned quickly. She already knew her colors, could count to ten, and spoke pretty well, although sometimes it was mixed with toddler gibberish. She had a head full of curly hair like her mother, chubby cheeks, and heart-shaped lips. She didn’t inherit Autumn’s ginger coloring though. She was more of a honey color with red undertones as opposed to Autumn’s yellow ones. I assumed she had gotten that from her father, whoever the deadbeat nigga was. Autumn no longer talked about him, but I was certain he wasn’t a factor in their lives.
I happened to be parking, just returning home from a job I had to finish at the shop, when I spotted Autumn struggling down the steps with Auburn’s stroller.
I jumped out of the car and rushed to her.
“Baby girl, I got it,” I declared, grabbing the stroller and carrying it down the steps.
“I’m fine, October. I really am. I mean, it’s a struggle at first, but once I get it halfway down the steps, the rest is easy peasy.”
“How long have you been struggling with this stroller?” I set the stroller down on the sidewalk.
“Every time I bring it out.”
“Don’t do that shit no more. Call me, a’ight?”
She planted her fists on her waist. “I cannot call you for everything that I need. You’re always talking about calling you, but you’ve got a life to live, too, and I don’t want to infringe on that.”
I tilted my head and stared into her eyes. Licking my lips, I asked, “Did I say that it was an infringement?”
“No, but?—”
“Ain’t no buts. I don’t have a problem expressing anything I feel. Besides, I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean that shit.”
Autumn’s head dipped down, and she bobbed it before looking back up at me. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
“Why are you so vested in what happens with Auburn and me? I mean, since the day I had her, you’ve made it your business to be here in some capacity.”
“I care about y’all,” I remarked nonchalantly with a shrug before I asked, “Where are you heading?”
“To the library to grab some books to read to her.”
“Mind if I walk with you?”
“You don’t have anything else to do?”
“Sit in front of the TV and watch a game. But I can do that any time.”
“Sure. Now are you going to answer my question?” she asked as she pushed the stroller down the street.
“I did. But if you’re looking for a more in-depth answer, I can give you one. My sister, Kember, went into labor, and no one was there for her. She had to make it on her own. None of us were around—not my brother, my dad, or me—not until later anyway.”
“What about your mom?”
The same lonely ache rushed through me at the mention of my mother.
