Page 6 of Half Sight Whole Heart

He was right, but I chose to be quiet because I was still in shock. Zyro hopped out of the truck, walked around the front and came to my side, and opened the door. He held out a hand to help me out. I placed my hand in his calloused one and exited the truck.

“gon head and unlock your door. I can get your son and your bags.”

“I can—”

My mouth shut when Zyro gave me a hard look. I wasn’t used to this from a man, so it felt weird. It had me wondering if he wanted something in return from me, besides me paying for my car to get fixed.

As I ambled to the front door while digging through my purse for my house key, I kept glancing over my shoulder. Zyro was pulling Ermias from the truck. He was talking to him as he woke up. I couldn’t hear a word he was saying, but whatever he said had my son laughing.

Unlocking the door, I pushed it open and hurried to turn on the air conditioning and meet Zyro with our bags and talk to him about my car.

I couldn’t go long without a vehicle. Ermias had daycare, and I had work.

I didn’t like to ask my parents for much.

I was always raised to be independent, especially due to my condition.

I didn’t see it as a disability because I was still able to live a very normal life.

If I ever needed help, they would, without question, but I try not to bother them.

While I lived the country life in Heartville, they loved the city.

“Mama! The carnival is tonight, remember?” Ermias sprinted toward me, causing me to groan.

“Ermias, what have I told you about running with your tablet? It’ll be just my luck if I have to get that fixed too,” I fussed. My eyes dragged to Zyro with my bag and Ermias’ suitcase. The veins in his arms and hands stood out as he carried them.

“Okay, but can we go?”

“Not tonight, baby. I’m already stressing about my car. We’ll see if TT Mahlia wants to go this week,” I replied softly, trying not to crush his hopes.

The fair was one of our things when it came around. My car messing up was unexpected, but then again, it wasn’t. It was really time for another one.

I held my hands out to retrieve the bags from Zyro. He mugged me.

“If you don’t want me in your home, at least let me place the bags inside by the door.

My Mama taught me better than that, baby,” Zyro said, brushing past me.

He set our things at the door and then backed out of the house, only to stop at the doorway.

His tall frame towered over me. “You wanna go to the fair?”

I shook my head. “I have more things to worry about than the fair. How much do you think it’s going to cost me to fix my car?” I queried. No lie, I was surprised Zyro even asked if I wanted to go to the fair. Was he interested, or was he just feeling bad for me and Ermias?

Zyro shrugged. “We gotta do a diagnostic to check the issue, but whatever it is, don’t let it stress you. Now, about this fair homeboy just told me ‘bout, you wanna hit it? He got me all excited about it the way he was talkin’ ‘bout it when he woke up from his nap.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Ermias loves the fair. I’m tired, though. I had planned to go tomorrow, but—"

“Then we can go tomorrow. On me.”

I ran a hand through my bundles and sighed. “I have more things to worry about.”

Zyro crossed his tatted arms across his chest. “Like what?”

“Like getting Ermias to daycare and myself to my job in the morning,” I screeched out, growing irritated from all these questions.

“Look, I’m just asking because maybe I can help with a solution,” he replied in an even tone.

“Thanks, Zyro, but I’ll figure it out. I appreciate you for taking time out of your Sunday to even do what you did.”

“No big deal.” Zyro took a step back. “I have ya number. I’ll call you when I figure out what’s wrong with ya car. You enjoy the rest of your day, Eriss.”

“You too,” I exhaled.

Ermias ran to my side before I could shut the door and yelled out, “Bye, Zyro!”

“See ya later, homeboy.”

Mahlia cackled loudly when I told her about her cousin. With Ermias bathed and in bed, I ended up on the sofa, covered with a blanket with the TV on after my shower.

“Girl, don’t play with that man—ever. I know my cousin. Telling me that he was offering to take y’all to the fair is screaming that he likes you. I even know that nigga did shit like that. Hell, he ain’t even offer to take the girl he’s screwing!”

“My point exactly! What I look like entertaining a nigga that’s in a relationship?” I snorted through a chortle.

The last thing I wanted to do was share a nigga. I’d been sharing a nigga who I didn’t even know I was sharing until a baby was made.

“Zyro isn’t in a relationship, sweetie,” Mahlia cleared up. “He’s just doin’ him without being tied down.”

“Scared of commitment, noted it,” I shot out, and we laughed.

“Aye now, he and Leek are my favorite cousins. Not too much. Not toooo much. Anyway, I’m off tomorrow, so I will come scoop you and Ermias, taking him to daycare, and you to work. Zyro and his team normally work fast. They’re the best.”

“My car is all the way in Love Grove, Mahlia.” I groaned.

“Shit, it’s time for a new one anyway. That bitch got more miles on it than a hoe’s pussy.”

She cackled while my jaw dropped, shocked she would talk about my baby like that.

“Fuck you, Mahlia,” I giggled.

Mahlia was still cackling on the other end of the phone. I pulled the blanket up to my chin and sank deeper into the cushion of the couch.

“She’s tired, baby. Put her out of her misery.”

I rolled my eyes, though she couldn’t see it. “Whatever, Mahlia.”

“But seriously, E… I ain’t never seen or heard that Zyro was offering to take you and Ermias to the fair. Shit, that nigga took y’all home! He would have put a bitch in an Uber and called it a fuckin’day.”

“He said his Mama raised him better than that.”

“She probably did! You met her at the reunion. Aunt Zena. She was the one who dipped it too low and couldn’t get back up.” We laughed in unison.

“Yeah, I remember,” I replied, tickled.

“She did raise her sons right. They’re still hotheaded, but Leek is more than Zyro. Zyro has calmed down, but the beast is still in there somewhere when poked.”

I nibbled on my bottom lip, staring at the muted TV flickering across the room on the wall.

Zyro’s handsome face flashed through my mind.

It was the way he didn’t look away from my eye, but still didn’t make me feel as if it was ugly.

The way he asked if I was okay during one of my headaches.

Hell, the way Ermias took to him. Ermias was skeptical about any nigga who approached me.

He didn’t like that at all and was very observant. Very territorial. Very protective.

But still… I wasn’t looking for a relationship.

I don’t know if Delion traumatized me or what, but I was good and happy single.

It was peaceful not having to wonder if you’re getting cheated on.

It was a great day in the neighborhood, not to have people secretly laughing at you because you didn’t know you were being cheated on.

Mahlia yawned, “I’ll be there bright and early for you and nephew. Night, bookie,”

“Thanks, Mahlia. Good night, girl.”

I ended the call and debated on whether or not to stay on the couch or drag my ass to my bed. Pressing the power button on the remote, I turned the TV off. I turned over and fell asleep, but not before hoping Zyro would call with good news.