Page 24 of Quiet as Kept
“Spitfire,” I corrected. “Doesn’t mean that you should act like she’s out here looking to maim and injure people.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
“Whatever.” I waved him off, knowing he was mostly joking about Destin. I got the feeling that he liked the fact his youngestdaughter had a big personality. “Anyway, I bought a few things on that credit card you gave me for purchases.”
He turned his head to face me. “I don’t know why you’re sitting there acting like you don’t enjoy spending my money.”
“Listen,” I began with a chuckle.
“Listen my ass. When you first got here, you were allI’m cheap.I’m not comfortable making big purchases.Lately, I’ve seen more bags from Dillard’s come through the doorway, and we’re not gonna even talk about all the packages.”
He wasn’t lying. As soon as my first check hit my account and paired with the money I already had sitting in there from my last job . . . not treating myself became a thing of the past.
“Can I be honest?” I asked him.
“Yeah. Always be honest.”
“It’s not so much that I like spending money. It’s more so that I like having money to spend.”
“Dayum. You just said a mouthful.”
Eight
Kept
I set the swimming lessons for my girls up for Friday afternoons for a couple of reasons. The most important one was that I only worked a half day on Fridays. Since Xarielle couldn’t swim, I wanted to be there while my girls got their lessons in case a second set of hands were needed in the pool.
I also scheduled Xarielle’s lessons on Friday. Since I was the one requiring her to learn how to swim, I didn’t think it was fair that she should have to take the lessons during her own time. I considered the swim lessons a part of job training. And as a business owner, I believed that all trainings should be paid and take place during company time.
The second that I finished getting Destin into her purple floral tankini, she was ready for action. I watched her dance around on her brand new flip flops, her ponytails bouncing to a beat that only played in her head. The smile on her face and the movement of her feet made me laugh. And I had to admit that she looked cute.
Dakota was decidedly less excited as I helped her slip into the soft pink tankini dotted with baby blue bows and ruffled trim. I wasn’t too concerned because that was normal for my first born. She didn’t easily take to new things. She had to be coaxed and then warm up to new experiences. But living on the ocean in a house with a pool made swim lessons non-negotiable.
Destin waddled/ran toward the deck, while I carried Dakota, not allowing negative self-talk to goad me about overindulging my daughter. I wanted her to understand that she was going to take swim lessons whether she wanted to or not. But also, daddy would be right there to support and encourage her if she needed it—balance.
From a list of recommended strong swimming instructors, I selected Sanders Gillespie. When I got to the pool, Sanders and Xarielle were talking. I couldn’t hear the conversation, but both of them were smiling. Logically, I knew that shouldn’t make my hands ball themselves into fists, but it did. Xarielle turned her attention to us, and the smile on her face brightened if that was possible.
“Look at you,” she crooned as Destin took off running and dove into her arms. Xarielle caught her with ease and picked her up, then she peppered Destin’s face with kisses. “You’re too cute.”
It was Destin’s turn to grin big. “Tank you.”
She fiddled with the ruffles on the swimsuit while preening.
“You’re welcome. And my Dakota . . .” She held out her hands to Dakota, and surprisingly, she traded the strong confines of my arms for the warmth of Xarielle’s. “You look too cute.”
She fingered the swimsuit she’d ordered from who knew where.
“And you’re so brave. I can’t wait to see you racing across the pool with your sister one day.” She dropped a loud kiss on Dakota’s forehead. “Go get ’em, Kota.”
I watched Xarielle with appreciation for how she was with my girls. My gaze landed on Sanders. He was watching Xarielle with . . . something else in his eyes.
“This dude,” I mumbled to myself with disgust.
“I’m going to spend some time getting my mind right before I have to get in this pool,” Xarielle told me. “You know I’m nervous about this.”
Before I could respond, Sanders jumped in the conversation, cheesing happily. “I told you I got you. There’s nothing for you to be nervous about, Xari.”
Xari?I hoped he didn’t fuck around and make me fire his ass for harassment . . . or something.