Of course, I was so used to her moods and attitudes, this didn’t faze me a bit. “Mama coming to get you?” I asked calmly.
“Yes. She’ll be here any minute.” Ari grabbed her bags and made her way to the front door, struggling the whole time.
I could’ve offered to help her, but I chose to help Necie instead. “Girl, let me get this for you.” I carried everything over to the door. “So, you don’t mind sharing a room with your daughter. That’s cool. I’d think you’d want some privacy at your age, but that’s cool.
Necie’s eyes widened. “We’re sharing a room.”
“Well, you’re keeping your clothes in the room, but you’re sleeping on the couch.” Arionna stared out the window.
“And listen, Necie, you might want to get some books. Go to the library or something. Take up a hobby, like drawing or writing maybe. There’s only one television at Mama Delta’s house.” I leaned casually against the wall as her brow furrowed. “And that tv pretty much only gets one station. Your gramma refuses to get cable.”
“But what about Wi-Fi?” she whimpered.
“Mama Delta doesn’t believe in Wi-Fi.” I smirked.
Necie shook her head. “What’s to believe? How do you live without internet?”
“Oh, I don’t. Your Mama Delta does.” I winked.
“There she is.” Arionna turned to her daughter. “Go on. Get in the car. I’ll be right out.”
With her head hanging, Necie opened the door and wandered outside to follow her mother’s orders. I shook my head. “You always did have to be difficult, Ari,” I said with a sigh. “This time I think you’ll find you done shot yourself in the foot. Your daughter will be miserable. She’ll be in a terrible school and a terrible home. I hope it’s worth it.”
“Yeah? Well, I hope you learn to prioritize. You need to learn to support your family. How you could be so disloyal sickens me.” She looked at me with disgust. “You hear me? You make me sick.”
“Ari, Tegyn did nothing to you. She did nothing to Mama. You can’t hate her because of our father. Not all white women are out to steal a black man and wreck a marriage. You should’ve figured that stuff out by now.” I scowled. She stood there glaring at me, like her mood was going to make a difference to mine. “Just go on, if you’re leaving. No need to keep Mama waiting.”
“Oh, I’m outta here.” Ari snatched her luggage off the floor and went stumbling through the door, hitting the frame several times on the way out.
I was too tired to worry about whether or not she’d done any damage. Our relationship would never be the same after this. I wondered how Mama would feel. As a test, I leaned out the door and waved at her. She turned her head away and ignored my greeting like she hadn’t just been staring at me. Guess I had my answer.
I closed the door just in time to hear Keyon say, “I get down now.”
I realized my mistake instantly. I never should’ve left him alone on the stool. “You bored, buddy?” I asked as I entered the kitchen again.
He nodded. “I hold my tablet?”
I turned and found the one I’d bought him sitting on the counter plugged in. After I unhooked, I passed it to him. “You play and I’ll make lunch. Got it?”
“I got it.” He smiled and wriggled happily in his seat.
Pulling out the saucepan, I moved to the sink to fill it. I’d barely set it on the stove and turned the burner on when I heard the garage door coming down. I whipped around and grinned at Keyon. “Tegyn’s here,” I told him, completely unable to hide the excitement in my voice. Luckily, he was too young to notice. I pulled him off the stool, and carried him to greet her as she came in through the garage door to the laundry room and drop zone.
“Hi,” she began shyly when she saw me standing there.
“Hi yourself.” I grinned.
Her eyes landed on my son and her smile faltered. “And who’s this?” she asked as she took a step closer.
My boy took one look at her and smiled. “I Keyon.”
“I am Keyon,” I corrected.
He shook his head. “You Daddy. IKeyon.”
Tegyn giggled. “He’s not wrong.”
“I tried,” I muttered as we all stood there awkwardly.