“Eat.”
“Let’s go get you some food, mamas.”
Not me picking up his damn lingo.
I chuckled to myself as we left the room and headed downstairs to the kitchen. I placed her in her high chair and gave her some watermelon until her oatmeal was done. I turned on some music to try to settle my thoughts about Truce leaving and began cooking us breakfast. Twenty minutes later, I was packing up Truce’s breakfast to-go and filling his thermos with fresh coffee.
A few minutes later, Truce walked into the kitchen, dressed in a simple white T-shirt, blue jeans, Timberland construction boots, and a hoodie with his company’s logo on it.
“Good morning, my beautiful ladies.” He walked over, kissed Scottlyn on her cheek, then came over to me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he kissed up and down my neck.
“Good morning,” I replied.
He placed his hand on my neck and leaned my head back, planting a kiss on my lips. “I want you to have a good day, Jela. Clear your mind and know that I’m coming back for you soon.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He kissed me again, and I handed him the Tupperware with his breakfast sandwich inside and his thermos.
“Let us walk you out.” I tried to take Scottlyn from her high chair and almost got a black eye.
“Uh!” She then reached for Truce.
I rolled my eyes as he laughed. “Chunks, we gon’ have to talk about your behavior toward your mama. You’re suppose to love me most.”
He lifted her from her chair, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Talk,” she repeated.
He chuckled again. “Yeah, talk.”
“Scottie Pie, you do know he’s leaving, so you’re stuck with me, little girl.”
She ignored me while we left the kitchen and walked him to the door.
“I left a credit card on the nightstand and a little cash. If you need anything, you know how to reach me.” He handed Scottlyn over to me after kissing her cheek. He lifted his bag from the floor, then leaned down and kissed my lips. “I’ll see you soon, mama.”
“See you.”
“A’ight.” He opened the door, and I saw Benji, as he liked to be called, and Timothy standing on the porch, keeping guard. Truce had installed heaters around the porch for them, so it was a little warm where they were standing.
“Good morning, Mr. Stone. Miss Jela,” Benji greeted.
“Good morning, gentlemen. Y’all take care of my girls.”
“We’re on it, sir,” Timothy assured him.
He nodded and headed to his truck.
I could feel my stomach sink with each step he took. Scottie and I watched him get inside and waved to him.
“Say bye, Scottie Pie.”
“Buh-bye.”
Truce beeped the horn, then backed out of the driveway, and drove off.
“Are you guys hungry? I made enough.”
