Page 24 of Saved By A Small Town Country Boy

Khalif

A couple days later

T he fair is in town. This is the first weekend of it being here, and it’s all that Khali has been talking ’bout for the last couple of weeks. I promised her that I was gon’ take her, so that’s our plan for the day.

After going out and tending to the animals, I came inside to get started on breakfast. Khali was still sleeping. Normally, she’d be up handling her chores, but I allowed her to sleep in for the day. She’s been doing great at school, and it’s a rewarding experience.

My mind drifted to Remedi. I wanted to spend time with her, but I know that she’s been busy.

It’s been hard trying to get up with her ever since Khali’s birthday party.

Last I heard, she’s been working down there at the animal clinic.

I probably should’ve taken into consideration what Dallas said ’bout hiring her for myself.

Now I’m gon’ have to share her with the rest of the town.

Since Simone’s death, Remedi has been the only person who’s been able to get to me. No matter how much I tried to fight it, she just wouldn’t release the hold she was gripping on my heart.

“It smells good, Daddy,” Khali said from behind me, grabbing me from my thoughts. I hadn’t even realized that she’d gotten up. Usually, I would’ve heard her enter the kitchen.

“It’s almost done,” I told her and flipped the pancake.

“Daddy, I’ve been thinking. I want Remedi to come to the fair with us today.” My head whipped in her direction. “She told me that she hasn’t been to the fair since she was small. I want her to come.”

“I’ll ask her, but I can’t make you any promises. Remedi might be busy,” I replied and turned my attention back to the pancake. Smoke rose from the pan, and I lifted it from the eye. Fucking with Khali, I’d burned the damn pancake. Thankfully, it was the last one.

Setting the pan to the side, I grabbed a plate and fixed Khali’s food, and then took it over to her at the table. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, Princess.” After fixing my food, I joined her. She did a lil happy dance in her seat as she ate her food. Picking up my phone, I went to the messages and stopped at Remedi’s name.

Khali and I are going to the fair tonight. She wanted me to ask if you’d like to come with us.

Not expecting a text right away, I set the phone down on the table and eat my food. Khali finished sooner than me and decided that she wanted to clean the dishes. She grabbed her step stool and placed it in front of the sink before climbing on it.

I set my plate down on the counter next to the sink, and my phone chimed. Picking it up from the table, I saw the message from Remedi.

Sure. I don’t have any plans for the night. What time should I be ready?

Six is fine.

“Remedi said that she’s going,” I told Khali.

“Yes!” She tossed her soapy hand up in the air, and soap suds dripped on the floor.

“Finish up the dishes. I’m finna take a seat on the porch for a bit.”

I exited the house and sat down on the porch in Simone’s swing.

It was one of the things that she declared be installed.

She liked sitting out here early in the morning with a good book or just watching nature.

So much of this house reminds me of her.

People have asked me several times how come I didn’t just up and sell it if it brought me so much pain.

That’s something I couldn’t find myself doing.

This was our dream house. It’s Khali’s home.

I wouldn’t dare take that away from her, no matter how much it hurts.

“I know I gotta move on, Simone. Just give me a sign of what to do ’cause I don’t know at this point,” I whispered to myself.

The screen door flew open, and Khali stepped out with a couple of carrots in her hands. “I’m finna give Beauty a snack. You wanna come?” She stepped onto the porch and looked over at me.

“Yeah, I’ll come.” Getting up from the swing, I followed Khali out into the stable. She stopped in front of Beauty’s stall and unlocked it.

Khali entered and handed Beauty one of the carrots.

“Thata girl,” she said as she stroked Beauty’s mane.

After Beauty ate the other carrot, she grabbed Beauty’s brush and glided it across her hair.

“Ma would’ve loved you.” Her lips softly caressed Beauty’s face.

I’m not sure where she got kissing animals from, but it damn sure wasn’t me.

“You think Remedi will love staying with us?”

“Khali, what are you talking about?”

“You know…” She continued to brush Beauty. “Once you marry her. You think she’ll like staying here?”

“Who said that I was marrying her?” My right brow lifted.

“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do when you like someone?” Khali turned and faced me.

“What makes you think that I like Remedi?”

“The way you look at her, duh.”

“And how do I look at her?”

“Like this.” Khali stood there and poured her eyes into mine.

She didn’t bat a single eye. Leaning down, I tickled her sides and she balled up.

“Stop! Please stop!” She laughed so hard, tears seeped from the corners of her eyes.

I didn’t think I looked at Remedi in no particular way, but if Khali could pick up on the fact that I’m starting to catch some sort of feelings for Remedi, I know she could as well.

Maybe that’s why she’d been staying away. We did agree to just have fun.

I stood there in my bedroom in front of my dresser, gazing at my reflection in the mirror.

For hours, I’d been trying to figure out something to put on for the night.

I decided I was gon’ wear black denims with a black t-shirt and my black cowboy hat.

Nothing too special. The last thing I wanted was for Remedi to think I was trying too hard.

My horse platinum chain danced on my neck.

It’s not something I put on every day, but I felt like bringing it out tonight.

Taking one final look at myself, I stepped away from the mirror and headed to the opposite side of the house to see if Khali was done getting dressed.

I’d picked out an outfit for her earlier before I got in the shower.

It was this pink graphic t-shirt and a pair of denim jeans—something simple.

Dallas had done her hair earlier today, so I didn’t have to worry ’bout that.

She had this braided ponytail with beads on the ends.

She’d been swinging those beads ever since she came back to the house.

The way they clacked together, she’d never be able to sneak up on me now.

Khali danced around her bedroom to some song playing on the television when I entered her door.

Her beads clacked with every jump she made.

A smile parted my lips. Standing here, watching her be so carefree is all I ever wanted for her.

She let me know that I’m doing an amazing job at raising her.

I can’t lie, some days I be feeling as if I’m a failure.

Days like this reassure me that I’m doing everything right.

“Daddy!” She laughed when she turned around and saw me standing there.

“I was just coming to see if you were ready. We have to go pick Remedi up.”

“Yeah.” Grabbing her remote, she turned the TV off and tossed it onto the bed. “Did you let Cotton out?” she asked, referring to her all-white Pomeranian that I’d gotten her for her birthday. She named her Cotton ’cause she looked like a cotton ball.

“I’ll let her out now,” I told her and went into the living room where she had Cotton sleeping.

When she first got her, she was keeping her in her bedroom, but Cotton would cry all night long, not wanting to sleep in her cage.

We transitioned her to a bed once she got potty-trained.

“C’mon,” I said, and Cotton jumped up from her bed and ran in my direction.

I opened the front door for her, and she ran out into the yard.

Out of all the animals we have on this farm, I don’t know what made Khali start asking for a dog.

Of course, I wasn’t ’bout to tell her no.

I’d started searching into dogs to see which one would’ve been the best fit, and that’s when I ran into Cotton. I thought she’d be perfect for her.

Once Cotton was done using the bathroom, she ran back into the house and got comfortable in her bed. Khali waved at her as she exited the house with me directly behind her. I hit the fob on the truck and opened the door for Khali. She climbed up inside and slipped her seat belt on.

Getting into the driver’s seat, I backed out of the driveway and went to Remedi’s house.

Soon as I pulled into the driveway, I shot her a text, letting her know I was outside.

It’s crazy to me to hear that Remedi hasn’t been to the fair since she was a child.

I went damn near every year, except the year that Simone died.

It took me forever to want to come out the house and do things again.

Khali got to experience the fair ’cause I sent her with Dallas.

The people ’round me understood that I needed time to grieve.

Remedi came out of the house dressed in this black floral dress that stopped at her thighs.

Her hair was freshly pressed with a part down the middle.

Thankfully, she wore flats or else her feet would’ve been killing her with all the walking that Khali was ’bout to force us to do.

That girl likes to get to the fair and try everything under the sun.

Leaning over, I pushed the door open for her, and she got up into the truck. Instantly, her scent wrapped ’round me like a sheet. Vanilla bean ice cream is the first thing that came to mind. “Hey,” she spoke.

“Hey, Remedi!” Khali was so eager to spend time with Remedi today. They’d been talking on the phone every other day as if they were best friends or something. I didn’t mind. Remedi was a positive influence on Khali.