“Here,” Zain said. “Let’s see. Throw it to me.”
So. . .they’re playing football?
I stood.
“Got it.” Cory yelled, “Let’s see if you can catch this, old man!”
Old man?
I rolled my eyes.
My baby knew better. I didn’t know why he had to be so mean to Zain. Meanwhile any girlfriend his father brought by, he showed his manners.
“Holy cow!” Trey cheered. “Zain’s good.”
“He’s not that good.” Cory grumbled again. “Dad can catch better.”
“No he can’t.” Trey argued. “He never catches your balls.”
Brandy’s voice came next. “I just think you all should play a real game. Shirts against skins. Zain, you’re on the non-shirt team.”
Zain’s laughter filled the air.
What are these fools doing?
I left my desk, walked over to the window, and peeked behind the curtain.
Smirking, Zain tossed the football to Trey. “Let’s go again.”
“You sure you’re not tired?” Cory caught it. “I have to take it easy on you, old man.”
“Give me your best, young one.”
Cory rolled his eyes and slung the ball fast.
Zain jumped up in the air and caught it. “There you go. You’ve got fire behind that arm.”
Cory beamed a little bit and then went back to frowning. “Whatever.”
Zain tossed the ball back. “Give me another, but harder.”
“You can’t take harder. I’m trying to be nice.”
“Ten bucks if you can burn my hands.”
Brandy interrupted, “But what about my idea on the whole shirts verses skins situation?”
Easily distracted, Trey ran after a squirrel crawling on the fence.
“Ten bucks? I’ll take that. I’ll have your hands on fire.” Cory backed up and narrowed his gaze at Zain. “Ready?”
“Born ready.”
Unimpressed, Cory wound up his arm and then threw it fast. The ball almost blurred as it whipped by.
Damn, baby.
Zain leaped in the air and caught it. “Whew! That was crazy. How long have you been playing football?”
Cory frowned. “I haven’t. Mom won’t let me.”
“Why not?”
“Head injuries.”
Zain nodded and slung the ball back to him. “The game does mess up the players. Many lose their memories and die sooner than they should.”
“But it looks like so much fun.”
Zain shrugged. “What about baseball? Less injuries and that arm would serve you well.”
“I don’t know much about baseball.”
“No?” Zain gestured to his garage. “I’ve got tons of bats and balls. You’ll have to ask your mom first, but if she says yes, you can use them.”
Cory shrugged. “Maybe.”
Zain laughed and headed off. “I’ll be right back.”
Cory widened his eyes. “Where are you going?”
Zain called over his shoulder. “I owe you ten dollars.”
Brandy clapped. “I think Aunt Brandy will be moving into the house with you all. It’s so scenic around here.”
Trey rushed over to Brandy and hugged her. “That would be so cool, Auntie!”
She hugged him back. “You know you’re my favorite right?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
Shaking my head, I went upstairs to get dressed.
By the time I made it down, my watch read twelve in the afternoon.
The rest of the day went well.
Brandy and I chatted for a little while, and then she left.
The boys asked about playing with the baseballs and bats. I told them it was fine. I just didn’t want them breaking any of the neighbors’ windows. They ended up playing in the backyard most of the day. Every now and then Zain joined them. A few times his phone rang and he stood off on the side talking to whoever. With each phone call, I wondered if it was a woman.
By the evening, I headed out to the backyard and turned on my new grill.
At this time, Zain was in his house, and the boys were dog-tired, lounging on the couches and watching cartoons.
The fire rose on the grill.
I gazed at the darkening sky and smiled. All of my unpacking had been completed. Tomorrow would simply involve washing clothes, making sure the boys had their own rooms organized, and completing my novel.
We’re here. This is our new place. Our new life.
I headed back into the kitchen. “Cory.”
“Yes, Mama?”
“Watch the grill for me. Let me know when it gets hot.”
He grinned. “Steaks? Yes!”
“I’m going to work on the potatoes.”
“Can I put the steaks on?”
“Yes, but let me know when you do. We don’t want them on there no more than nine minutes before flipping them.”
“I’m on it, Mama.” He hurried outside.
A minute later, he poked his head back in. “Mama?”
“Yes?”
“There’s four steaks in the bag by the grill. Can I have the extra one?”
“No. I am making one for Zain.”
His eyes popped open wide in horror. “Why?”
“He helped us move.” I glanced over my shoulder and saw him frowning. “You better get that frown off your face. I didn’t see you downstairs last night hammering and screwing shelves.”
“I would have, but you made me go to bed like a little kid.”
“Because you are a kid.”
He touched his chest. “Daddy said I’m the man of this house.”
“This isn’t your Daddy’s house.”
“He told me that I have to take care of you.”