Page 52 of Fumble Into the End Zone
Harley squirmed with hard giggles as I tickled her until she struggled to catch her breath.
“We will kick off a new story next week. It’s time for you to go to bed,” I said as I pulled the purple butterfly comforter up to her neck.
I kissed her forehead and exited the room. Eddy was still sitting in the living room, which was unlike her, but I’m glad she did. I rounded the recliner to see her eyes focused on the TV. Sitting across the room, I gazed at her until she grabbed the remote and shut down her show.
“Tell me what’s on your mind,” she said.
In the past, I would dispute her claim about needing her words of wisdom, but I’d grown to know better.
“Mia, she won’t budge on us moving forward. Some man in her past allowed her to raise his daughter and then snatched her away. Granny, I could tell by the sound of her voice that it almost killed her.”
“Now she’s afraid to get close to you and Harley,” Granny said as she lowered the leg portion of her brown suede chair.
“Yea. I am thinking about giving her some power of attorney papers to Harley. My lawyer said I could rescind it if needed.”
“Because you need to show her you’re serious,” Granny confirmed my thoughts.
I observed her putting her hands on the arm of the chair to position herself to get up.
“And what else?” she asked.
My head hung at her question as I coached myself to say the forbidden words. “She told me if I could give her something, she would move in. Mia was joking, but I’m going to push the envelope. I know you don’t do the shacking up, but I need you to get on board with this one. My gut is telling me she is the one,” I said as I then held a nervous breath.
Granny’s worn, gentle eyes closed and opened again. “Marcus, this is your house, baby. I know you go above and beyond to respect me, but it’s your decision. You kids do things different nowadays. Don’t you get relaxed, a ring better follow soon. Harley loves her and you know how shy she is with adults. I’m all right with it,” she said.
The tight ball anchored in my chest released, allowing air to flow. I watched as my granny slid to the end of her chair.
“Mia isn’t the only one that’s been hurt. Don’t you smother her and you have to trust she won’t leave, Marcus, or it will never work. Be honest with her about your troubles. You’re my baby and I spoiled you instead of pushing you to talk to somebody. Have your momma called?” she questioned.
Thinking about the woman who gave birth to me sent me into emotional limbo. Sometimes, my anger flares at her calls and other times, I’m numb.
“She hasn’t stopped calling and I don’t answer,” I said.
Granny stood, straightening her matching heather gray jogger pants and sweater.
“I’m sorry my daughter failed you and my grandbaby. But you have to make peace with your past before you run into the future. Mia also needs to make peace with some things, too, but I can tell she is working on it.”
Granny walked down the hall to her room, leaving me on the couch. Placing my hands at the crown of my head, I rubbed it down my face until it ended at my beard. As much as I wanted to deny it, the old woman was right. Before my thoughts could settle, an unknown number appeared on my phone. The words of my granny were already on a mental replay. Staring down, I hit the button to send it to voicemail.I don’t have to make peace today.
Chapter 9
Public Announcement
Mia
“It’s Mia, invading your podcast airwaves. It’s Friday and the challenge of the week is trying to decide which game to watch live on Sunday. We have the Armadillos vs. Miami. Can the Armadillos remain undefeated? Our hometown basketball team will be hosting LA for the first time this season. I personally want to see Marquise and Malcolm in person, but those ticket prices. Whew! As always, go Houston. You guys know the drill, hit my social media with your score predictions.”
My producer counted me down before the red light flashed on. He waved me out of the booth as I reached for my phone and exited the recording space. Scott stood with his arms folded in the hallway.
“Mia, you have been on fire this week. The engagement has tripled on all fronts, including social media. Your energy has been electric. By Friday, you’re usually dragging, but since you walked in here Monday, you’ve been the old Mia. The one before Nathan,” Scott said, and I shrugged.
I didn’t know how to accept Scott’s words, unsure if it was a compliment or a dig.Who was the Mia with Nathan?
The security system displayed a black middle-aged man wearing a white polo standing outside the door. Scott and I stared at each other, but neither one of us said anything. Using the mic on the camera, I questioned, “Can I help you? Did you rent out studio space?”
“I have paperwork for Mia Robinson,” he said.
Scott threw his hands up in mock surrender. “I’ll go with you,” he offered.
