Page 32 of Standing In The Sun
Her voice was low, like a secret confession, “Thank you.”
Lunar blinked, caught offguard. “For what?”
She hesitated. “…For giving a damn…for doing something you didn’t have to do. I’ll never be able to repay you but make no mistake, I will do you dirty about my son…about my heart.”
Lunar didn’t say anything. He just let the words settle, forming a new bond between them before the line clicked because her time was up.
Lunar made a mental note to put money on her books. He wanted to hear her voice more, to get to know her better and for her to be able to check on Kamari whenever she wanted.
A deep sigh escaped him, and a small smile cracked the corner of his lips. “I’m gon’ be yo’ stepdaddy Mari,” he whispered, a jovial laugh shaking his chest at his own crazy antics.
Everything about his life in that moment felt right and real—like Lunar was nudging him into the promise of love.
* * *
The visiting room was colder than she remembered. Cement blocks for walls, plastic chairs that scraped across the tile like they were mad at the floor. COs posted up on the wall like mannequins. Tension everywhere—that felt the same.
Ahvi sat waiting. Ponytail fuzzy now. Her jumpsuit was stiff with her hands folded in her lap like she could will herself to be calm.
When the doors buzzed, Lunar walked in like he wasn’t carrying half her heart in his arms.
Black hoodie, black cargos, and fresh kicks that didn’t belong in there. Lunar’s face was calm and unreadable but not cold or like he was out of place. And Kamari was laid across his chest like he’d been there all his life. Kamari’s big eyes bounced around the room, being nosy. Seven months old, and already claiming space like a little king.
Ahvi’s throat tightened.
Lunar sat down slowly, adjusted Kamari with one hand and looked at her with the other. Their eyes met for the first time since that day outside the store. Kamari’s eyes lit up as he reached for her.
She hadn’t planned on speaking first. But the words slid out anyway. “You really brought him.” Ahvi held her hands out for Lunar to pass Kamari to her. Jade City jail allowed parents to hold babies under the age of two after a thorough search and depending on the inmates charges. Since Ahvi’s charge wasn’t violent, they allowed her to hold her son.
Lunar nodded once. “Told you I would.”
“I missed you Mari,” she cooed, kissing all over him and allowing him to do the same. “He looks good.” Ahvi smiled. “Did he cry?”
“A little - first night was rough,” Lunar said. “But he slept through last night. Ate good this morning. He likes oatmeal and hates applesauce.”
Ahvi let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “That sounds like him.”
“He got a strong grip,” Lunar added, holding up his hand. Faint little scratches from Kamari’s nails marked his skin. “Was tryin’ to fight his car seat it was the opps.”
That made her smile, even though her eyes burned. “He hates being strapped in.”
Lunar looked at her, not with pity—just quiet awareness. Like he knew how hard it was to live without your baby.
“I been playing music around him,” he said after a moment. “Low, mostly instrumentals. He hums. Well, his version of it.”
“He sings with his eyes closed sometimes,” she laughed. “I used to think it was gas… but it’s not.”
“How you holding up?” Lunar asked.
Ahvi shrugged. “I’ve been better…I’m not built for this,” she added. “This ain’t who I am.”
“I know.” Lunar really didn’t know but felt like he did. He understood how people made dumb decisions for the people they loved.
“I was just…tryna feed him, make a little money. My plan was to go home, season everything, make plates and run them to the block by dinnertime.”
Lunar nodded. “You told me at the store.”
Her jaw clenched. “Didn’t think I’d end up in cuffs over food and a can of Similac.”
