Page 34 of The Perfect Verse
“Naw, gone head. She knows me.”
He scratched his beard, then relaxed as he watched two of his favorite girls gossip. Granny Paula issued slitted eyes when she heard how he wouldn’t let up, had Chaney sneaking around, but when she heard how she’d left a toxic relationship, she was grateful her Donnie had shown up.
“You say this, uh, girlfriend is still around?” She sat up and waited for Donovan to speak.
“She ain’t locked up,” he clarified. He wasn’t sure if she meant whether she was still in the picture or not, even if it was just communication. It never came up. He had a bigger situation on his hands, like her granddaughter, who he heard speaking loudly on the other side of the door.
“I guess our time is up. Shay’s about to be on one,” Donovan announced as more voices joined in. He stood and sighed, then made his way toward Granny Paula.
“See you soon?” His orbs grew misty, but he knew God wouldn’t break his heart by taking her before he could really make her proud. Whether Sashay was in the picture or not, he’d always look out for her.
“Of course, baby. Both of you.” Chaney joined him at the side of her bed as he sniffled. She hated that they had to leave, but it was better to leave before a brawl ensued.
“I ain’t out of the woods just yet, but I ain’t dead either.” She wheezed and grabbed Chaney’s hand, squeezing it. After a few coughs, he quickly mounted her mask over her mouth, adjusting the straps around her ears.
“I’m out, Granny P. Next time, we meet in your kitchen. I can’t wait for the best smothered turkey wings on this side of heaven. I’ll even help.”
Her eyes narrowed before she waved him off.
“Love you. Let’s slide, baby,” he spoke as the door flew open.
“Dang, I thought y’all forgot others were waiting. Didn’t know I needed an invitation to see my own grandma.”
Out of respect for Granny Paula, Donovan took Chaney’s hand and eased around Sashay’s flunkies, short of Smooches, who mouthed “sorry”. She didn’t have to be sorry, because if Granny Paula transitioned on, Sashay would be dead to him… in more ways than one if he could get away with it.
Chapter 14
Verse Fourteen
“She’ll be fine,” Scooter reassured Kaleela. She’d just found out that not only had Reagan relapsed, but that Gator, her boyfriend, had another woman pregnant. Like her and Chaney, Reagan and Gator’s relationship was shaky and, admittedly, Reagan’s drinking was the cause of it.
“Fuck, I’ve been caught up in my own shit. I haven’t checked in on her,” she admitted. She looked at the four-leaf clover tattoo she’d gotten earlier last week. While celebrating her wins, her best friend had fallen off. She also took the high road and responded to Chaney’s comment on her post. She felt she’d betrayed herself, but Shawn would be proud of her… she hoped. She wanted no grudges to be held, and that, to her, was the first step.
“No. What you’ve been doing is living your life, which now includes the boys.” She noticed he hadn’t referenced himself. It slightly annoyed her. He noticed, grabbing and turning her toward him. “And me. You do know that, right?”
He huffed, her silence annoying him. He had at least two more weeks before they went on their tour. Although he couldn’t see her every day, he made sure they spoke. He’d even DoorDashher and the boys’ food, but he found he was really sweet on her when Mango mentioned Tram had sent her flowers while chatting with her sisters. He decided to step his game up and had plans to until he came over and found her upset.
“Rell, come on now! Stop with all the water splashing,” she fussed.
Once he showed up, she wasn’t up for doing anything that required her to get dressed. That, and he’d bullied his way over there, asking the boys if they were hungry. Within the next hour, he was on her porch with two large pizzas.
She rarely used her pool, if ever, but with the weather being good, they threw on their trunks, and she pulled out a few steaks to throw on the grill. She was tired of what she called “boy food”. Scooter agreed to help and did, taking the lead on seasoning and marinating them.
“Sorry.” He dragged his hand down his face, then ran back to the slide where Travis was. When she first purchased her home, she gave the builder free rein. All she required was that it be wheelchair accessible.
“And Travis, don’t push him. Let him pace himself.” Scooter grinned, noting how she seemed to have a better handle on the parenting thing. The fact that she had a community resource center made sense. She wanted children to be children.
“Okay, Mama Kaleela, but he be taking too long,” Travis whined.
“And so do you when it comes to completing your chores. Either play nice, or come sit with us.” Travis quickly shook his head. He liked Scooter, but he’d rather play in the water.
Two hours later, the boys had tired themselves out, and the sun had set. Once they showered and warmed up the last of their pizza, off to their bedrooms they went. It was on the other side of the house, but she required them to keep their bedroom door open.
“That steak was good, but I know what would have been better.” He lifted both brows, his lop-sided grin appearing. It had been a week or so, and even though he wasn’t hard up for pussy, he most definitely wanted some pussy—hers.
“What?” She entertained his question.
“Come here.” She shook her head, and he sucked his teeth. “Why?”
