“I’ll get a job.”
“No, you won’t. School is ya focus. Football is to help you learn some structure and discipline outside of Bell Estates.”
He clicked his teeth again.
“Tryouts start soon.”
“Come on, bruh.”
“Fix ya reactions, my baby. You might find out you fuck wit’ it.”
Quilo shot me a look that said otherwise, but I simply shrugged my shoulders.
“Gon’ on home,” I told him. He was all too eager to get the hell out of my office.
Going back to my desk, I sat down and got back to my charts. Sometime later, I crept out of my office to find Pretty. I missed her like crazy.
COCO
Afewtimeswhilefilling out Quilo’s school paperwork, I stumbled over his last name. It took three tries before I got the packet completely perfect. The twins thought it was funny. They tagged along with me today. I figured since I’d taken the day off to get Quilo’s enrollment situated, the boys and I could have lunch together.
Discreetly, I balked at the hefty tuition bill but paid it as if I was used to dropping this amount of money on anything. The school seemed nice and all. We were given a thorough tour and rundown of what was expected of Quilo. Of course, he was put off by the school’s strict nature. On other hand, I inwardly smiled. This place would be good for him.
I noticed that plaques, memorabilia, and trophies encased inside a glass enclosure caught Quilo’s eye as we were leaving out of the school. With all hope, he’d take to football like he did when he was in youth football. He briefly played back then, but he loved it. When our mother got sick, taking him to and fromgames and practices became too much, so he had to stop playing. Now that he was older, I hoped that he could find joy in it again.
The boys and I went to lunch at a pizza spot, where Humble and Peace joined us. I was delighted to see them pop up and was humbled by them hugging me. They dapped their little brothers, then Quilo. They each took a spot on either side of Quilo to which he grilled them. Peace mushed him in his head.
“Put a smile on ya face,” he said.
“Mush me again and I’ma—”
“Boys—”
“Aye…” Humble interrupted me and Quilo, effectively silencing everyone at the table. Adir wasn’t lying when he said that Humble was most like him. If it wasn’t for them looking nothing alike, I would’ve wondered if Humble was Adir’s biological son. He held the same quiet authority as his dad. Nineteen seemed so young for the steeliness in his tone.
Kalm and Bragg looked on with wide eyes. They were used to their brother, and I was used to mine. The tension was palpable between the three older boys.
“Let’s chill out and enjoy lunch before Pops shows up and beat y’all asses,” Humble finally stated.
It caused everyone at the table to burst out laughing in some way. Humble, Peace, and Quilo commenced to playfully arguing over the fact that Adir wouldn’t do shit to them. Kalm and Bragg cackled and bet on who they felt could really take Adir in a one-on-one fight. Their money was on Humble, and I had to inwardly agree.
Observing how at ease Quilo seemed among the Bell boys, I had to admit that it made my heart palpitate a little. Recalling hisfriendsback in Orlando, I couldn’t ever think of a time when he looked this unguarded. My eyes misted over, hoping that this crazy start to our new life was actually the perfect start to our new lives. As sweet as this moment was, I had to break it up.
“If either one of you think about layin’ a hand on my husband, I’ma be forced to defend him.”
All conversation ceased as five pairs of eyes stared back at me. Quilo’s face was the only one slightly screwed up. Then, the Bell boys burst out laughing. Peace reached across the table and dapped me.
“You aight with me, Mama Pretty,” he said, startling me. As if he didn’t shock me into silence, he went back to jousting with Humble and Quilo.
My phone buzzed, breaking through my thoughts.
Adir:I miss you.
Adir:I keep walking to ya office just to see it empty.
Adir:I’m jealous as fuck.
Me:You’ll see me when you get home. I’ll cook you something special since I ditched you today.
