Page 29 of The Perfect Verse
“Naw, I figured she’d be in here.”
“Well, take a peek in each room. I think homework and dinnertime’s over, but she should be around here somewhere. They probably are having a snack or watching television since we close in the next hour and a half.”
The young girl still couldn’t tear her eyes away from Scooter though. She was very much in a relationship with her children’s father but that didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate the presence of a man as handsome as he was. His height alone, was something she found attractive as he towered over both of them not to mention his minimal yet rather expensive selection of jewelry from his watch and lone chain on his neck. A quick turn of his head as he looked at Kaleela and his one diamond earring had her biting the left side of her lip.
“Nessa,” Kaleela called out, peeping her salivating at the sight of Scooter. She couldn’t blame her though. He was fine as hell. “Radio her and tell her I’ll be back in a few. I’m about to show him around before we check in on the kids.”
“Okay, then. Don’t be a stranger.” Kaleela wasn’t sure if that was meant for her or Scooter, but she smiled while Scooter eyes remained affixed on her.
After touring the center which consisted of six large rooms, Scooter was even more in awe. Three were slated to provide recreational activities based on age ranges which made it easier to plan activities. She believed in meeting healthy developmental milestones but also didn’t want them beingexposed too early based on their age and interests. The fourth room was solely for tutoring while the fifth room was a time out area for children that needed more one-on-one interaction if they had a meltdown.
She’d done a little research herself, even entertained the idea of applying for community college. It was fascinating, but the life she lived after departing the game, had a hold on her that came with a bottle of liquor, pent up frustration, and had demons whispering in her ear.
The last and final room was semi-like a cafeteria, but tables were set up in a family-like manner where food was prepped or otherwise served if brought in from the outside. It was approved by a nutritionist, yet she allowed the children to have one day a week where they went all out from slushies to cotton candy, even different flavored popcorn made with their popcorn machine. They even had a cart filled with various ice cream bars with strawberry shortcake being her favorite.
“Wow, who knew? But hands down, this is a gem, Kee.”
“So, you really do like it?”
“Hell yeah. I was fucking with you solely off your personal vibe. You know how you move as a person, but this right here tells me I haven’t even touched the surface. You outdid yourself.”
He pinched her cheek and she swatted at him. She wasn’t used to being praised. Feared maybe but praise was weird. It was something she craved as a child but gave up on it whenever it never seemed to come her way. She tucked her feelings and became not only a product of the system but a contributor to it. This was her washing her sins away, she hoped.
“Let me ask you something?” He took a seat on a nearby bench, slowly turning her toward him. “Why do you rarely come here?”
“I don’t know,” she lied. She knew why. She wasn’t living a life she wanted them to see… that is until Rell and Travis.Admitting that was harder. Thankfully, before he pressed the issue, the woman she trusted with her vision appeared.
“I’ll tell you why. Because she’s stubborn as hell. Always have been since she had little pigtails and tiny fists that stayed ball up. Wasn’t bigger than a gnat but was the loudest one out ‘em all.”
Scooter smiled at the woman whose hands were on her hips. He bet she gave the best hugs. Kaleela’s eyes watered at the sight of her along with a smile.
“Dang, Mrs. Otto. Why are you coming for my pigtails? I was cute though.”
“You were cute, still are but you kept up such a ruckus. You and your sister, Shona. Dang girl would stand by your side.” She looked at Scooter and whispered, “Even though she was wrong most times.”
“Mrs. Otto, come on now. Not in front of company.”
She didn’t trust many, but Mrs. Otto, the only group home parent she’d come to love and respect finally found a way to reach her in places no one had. They bumped heads more than she cared to admit, but there were moments at night when she cried in her sleep, that she’d wake up in Mrs. Otto’s arms.
“Yes, ma’am, in front of this fine gentleman.” She touched his shoulder, patting it. “You finally remembered you had a community center? It’s been what,” she spoke, looking at her watch.
“Hmph. You tell me?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mrs. Otto grumbled, spinning in her direction. She greeted Kaleela with a warm smile before she lessened the small space and hugged her like she missed her. That’s because she did.
Those monthly virtual meetings were about business but seeing her allowed her to see how Kaleela was truly doing. She imagined the goofy grin on her face had everything to do with the man that stood next to her.
“And who is this? I’m just telling all of your business.” She hiked her brows, grinning at Scooter. “Baby, I’m just as young in heart as you are in age, I hope. You’re legal?”
“Man,” he drawled, smiling as he pushed his hands into his pockets. “Y’all funny.”
“And seriously. Now I see what Kaneka was talking about.”
He blushed, causing Kaleela to wonder if he grinned in every bitch’s face that paid him a compliment until he did what he always did–reassured her.
“I hope she told you I’m locked in with this one already but I can take on a seasoned woman. Maybe you can teach her a few things,” he jested.
“Oh, I like him, baby.”
