Page 36 of Fumble Into the End Zone
The smell leaving the kitchen had already connected with my stomach.
“Of course, I’m never passing on home cooking,” I said.
“Help yourself,” Mrs. Allen coached us to eat dinner.
I secured Harley’s hand. “Let’s wash up and you can show me around the kitchen.”
She smiled and led me down the hallway.
Marcus
Eddy Allen gave me widened eyes and a smile as Mia and Harley descended the hallway.
“She is a keepa,” she said.
“How do you know?” I questioned my grandmother’s wisdom.
“I just know. She is going to take care of you and my Harley,” she said.
Mia and Harley walked into the kitchen and uncovered pots and plates. She loaded my daughter’s plate first and helped her sit at the table. I observed their communication and they synced with no issue. Mia walked back into the living room giving me a warm smile.
“Marcus, I fixed your plate and placed it beside Harley. Mrs. Allen, would you prefer I fixed your plate?” she questioned
My grandmother gave me a smile before she answered Mia. “No, baby, I ate as I cooked. I’m getting ready to watch the big wheel show in my bedroom,” she said.
Mia helped Granny stand and stabilize before she walked to her bedroom. When the coast was clear, I pecked Mia’s cheek, and her eyes ballooned.
“Marcus, stop it,” she said through gritted teeth before she tapped my arm.
We migrated to the kitchen to the eight-seater, natural-brown table with gray upholstered chairs. My loaded plate with collard and mustard greens, cornbread, and yams sat next to Harley. Mia’s plate wasn’t nearly as full as mine. She sat next toHarley, instead of me. Mia knew I was going to rub those thick thighs underneath the table.
“Daddy, we have to say grace,” my daughter reminded me.
Mia and I locked hands with Harley, and I winked at my daughter to pray. “God, we thank you for the good food and bless my granny, the cook, Amen.”
The way my daughter already had Mia wrapped around her finger made my heart smile. I sat and watched the two bond over butterflies and rainbows.
“Daddy said if I was a butterfly, I would be the prettiest,” Harley said and Mia agreed as she listened.
“I agree. You are beautiful,” Mia affirmed.
Harley hiding her smile confirmed my pursuit of Mia was the right decision. I wanted this, family dinners and conversation, moving forward. Trusting people was hard for me, but I knew Harley would be safe with Mia. We both would.
“And she is out,” Mia said as she stepped back into the living room.
Harley insisted she helped with her bedtime routine, including the bedtime story. I turned down a sports analyst on USPN to give Mia my full attention.
“Thank you. My daughter adores you and sometimes she can . . . ”
Mia paused my words with her hand. “She is no trouble. Kids keep us adults young and grateful.”
She moved around the couch and sat next to me. I intended to get up, but I stretched my legs on the coffee table. If Granny caught me, my ass would be grass, but it’s healthy to break therules sometimes. Mia gave me a displeased glare and I removed my legs from the table.
“Marcus, can I ask you?”
“Where is Harley’s mother?” I finished her sentence.
I knew she had been itching to ask me and I’m willing to bet she created her own narrative.
