Page 7 of The Hellcat Barbies: Zora
“Are we going to MeMe’s tonight? I’m starving,” she asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror.
“You tryna say I’on feed you, Peanut?” I feigned hurt.
“I’m saying you can’t cook, Daddy, and you know this.” She giggled.
“Wow… that’s fucked up,” I muttered. “I try hard to cook that food.”
“You need to try harder,” she laughed.
I tried to stay serious, but her laugh got me too. “Aight, you got that.”
By the time I pulled up at Mama’s, Peanut was already unbuckling her seatbelt. As soon as her feet hit the ground, the front door opened, and Mama’s voice carried out.
“There go my baby girl,” she called, arms open before Peanut even hit the steps.
“MeMe!” Peanut ran straight into her arms, getting scooped up like she hadn’t just seen her the other day.
Mama kissed her cheeks, both of them giggling. “You hungry?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Peanut said quick.
“Good, ’cause I fixed enough to feed an army.” She set Peanut down and looked past her to me. “Semaj, what took you so long?”
I laughed, shaking my head as I came up the steps. “You always gotta find a way to fuss, huh?”
She gave me that look, letting me know not to start no shit. “Don’t start with me.” She warned before walking inside with me trailing behind her.
We followed her in, Peanut already talking a mile a minute about her day. Mama listened like it was the most important conversation in the world, nodding and fussing at the same time.
“Lord, this girl don’t stop. Sit down, baby, and eat while you tell me the rest,” she said, guiding Peanut to the table before her eyes flicked back to me. “You too, Semaj. Don’t just stand there grinning.”
I slid into a chair, a smirk tugging at my mouth. Peanut was already digging in, humming while she chewed, Mama still fussing with her napkin like she needed her hands busy. It felt like it always did in this house… steady and easy, like time slowed down just enough to remind me what mattered. Mama set my plate down, then sat across from me, eyes warm but sharper than her smile. Peanut was busy chewing and humming as she ate.
“Semaj, you heard from Morgan?” Mama finally asked.
“Nope.” My tone was flat, but Mama wasn’t the type to let shit slide.
“Not even a text?” She asked with a raised brow.
I exhaled through my nose, leaning back. “Same as it’s always been. She’ll shoot a text here and there about seeing Peanut, butshe never follows through. She can keep her ass where she’s at for all I care.”
Mama shook her head in disappointment. “That girl never knew what she had. She loved the illusion of having your baby but didn’t want the responsibility.”
“Yeah,” was all I said. “Morgan wanted freedom more than she wanted the responsibility. After having Peanut, she said she felt trapped. I told her to go if that’s how she felt. I wasn’t about to beg nobody to stay in my daughter’s life.”
Mama’s eyes watered a little, but she didn’t let the tears fall. “And you been carrying it all since then. I’m proud of you, baby, and I know Sarah would be too.” Just the mention of my mama had me in my feelings, but that’s nothing new. My mama taught me what real, unconditional love was. That’s why I loved as hard as I did.
I shrugged. “I ain’t carrying it… it’s what I’m supposed to do. Peanut’s my priority… always has been. She don’t miss what she never had, and I’ll make sure she never feels that void.”
Mama reached across the table, laying her hand over mine. “You’re a good father, Semaj. Better than most. I just wish Morgan had half your heart.”
Before I could respond, the front door opened, and Case’s loud ass mouth could be heard before we saw him. “Wassup, family?”
“Uncle Case!” Peanut shot out of her chair and nearly knocked CJ over as he came barreling in.
“Wassup, baby girl?” He picked her up and kissed her cheek before putting her back on her feet.
Maya followed behind, leaning in to kiss Mama’s cheek. Case tried to do the same, but Mama swatted his arm before he got close.
