Page 48 of The Perfect Verse
“Hi, I’m Rell.” He snickered, appearing shy underneath her gaze. He had the skin of peanut butter along with a head ofsandy-brown curls and a snaggle-tooth grin that warmed her heart.
“Hi, Rell.” She knelt in front of him and grinned. “I’m Chaney. Pleasure to meet you.”
Travis kissed his teeth, his lips pushed out as Rell jumped up and down in one place. Chaney gently rubbed his arm, then slid her hand down until she held his hand.
“I love your smile.”
“What do you say?”
“Thank you.” He cooed. He then took off and slid into his favorite seat—Kaleela’s lap. Chaney’s eyes followed. She felt so much love in the home she once wanted to be hers.
“Hello, cutie.” Travis flashed a broad smile. His hair was a low fade, yet the wavy texture told her if it grew, it would look like Rell’s. Despite his dark-chocolate skin and large, brown eyes, she saw the resemblance. They had to be related. “I’m Chaney, and you are?”
“Travis.” He lifted his hand, swiping his chin with his index finger and thumb like he was checking her out. Chaney snickered. He was a charmer. She knew in a few years, he’d have all the girls his age going crazy.
“You hungry?”
“Oop!” Chaney looked at Kaleela with expanded orbs, her mouth lowered. “Is he about to ask me out on a date?”
“Please.” Kaleela tapped Rell’s hip before he stood. “We have plenty of food. He’s about to raid the kitchen. That’s as far as that date will go.”
“Mama Kaleela, this could be my future girlfriend.” Chaney tucked her lips, suppressing a smile as Travis checked her out. “Give me like ten years.”
“She’d still be ten years older than you,” Kaleela chimed in. “Take Rell, and you both go wash your hands. When you’re done, meet me in the kitchen.”
“Do I have to? What if your friend leaves? She just got here,” Rell whined. “I want to show her all my toys.” He looked at her. “You do like toys, right?”
She gently rubbed her hand across his hair.
“Of course I do.”
“Great, when we eat and clean up, let’s play. I have…” Rell rambled on and on about all the games she’d not only purchased but also Shonasia, and even Scooter.
“Okay, okay.” Kaleela tittered. “Let her breathe. She’ll be here when you come back.” They both took off until she called out their name. “We walk inside. We don’t run.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they replied in unison.
Her heart smiled. She’d gotten better at implementing some form of authority. It had been rough at first as she fumbled her way through her new role, where she became everything to two little people who had no one. She looked up, and there Chaney stood, smiling.
“You look good, Kaleela. Really good.” Chaney smiled, her bottom lip pushed out.
“Nah, bitch.” Kaleela pursed her lips, a smile threatening to form. “Keep all that. New niggas in town, and it damn sure ain’t you.”
“Do tell.” She took a seat on the nearest sofa, eager to hear anything to take her mind off Donovan. “I need something, anything. Who is she?”
Kaleela gave her a cheeky grin.
“You meanhe,” Kaleela revealed.
She didn’t want to hide anymore, and she had no reason to. Their ship had sailed, and while she did love her, she knew it wasn’t a healthy love, if it was even love at all.
Chaney silently screamed, her mouth wide open. She knew Kaleela had to be kidding, but when she didn’t retract, she fell back on the sofa and giggled.
“Bitch! I need all the tea.”
“I’ll think about it.” She wasn’t sure what information she could trust Chaney with but she did feel the smile that crept on her face at the thought of Scooter.
“So,you’re Mama Kaleela’s friend?” Rell probed as they placed cookie dough on the tray.
