Page 4 of Solid
Sighing, I nodded my agreement. “Yeah, I said the same thing. I told him to try and at least make it to her graduation atthe end of the month. If he doesn’t, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I know he’s working to provide for them, so I try not to give him a hard time about not being present here. I just wish there was someone helping him.”
“Same.” Kayne sighed and tightened his grip around me. I looked up at him, catching his Adam’s apple bob as he held back his emotion. “I’m taking Mateo to the mall after this to get him more shoes and clothes. He’s had a growth spurt, and his shit doesn’t fit anymore. The kids have started to bully him, so I had him in my office today.
“He did a few rounds of five seconds in the bathroom and tore their asses up one on one, so they tried to jump him. Thankfully a teacher had come in. I know I’m supposed to tell the principal so he can be punished, but I don’t want him to get suspended. He has enough going on. We’ve just started to make progress with him taking his studies seriously again, and now this. This shit is getting out of hand.”
“Oh no. I hate to hear that. Have you tried talking to Sonny?”
His head shook. “He won’t answer my calls. That’s why I’m taking Mateo home today. Sonny gon’ have to see me.”
“Oh Jesus. Well, be on your best behavior.”
“I’m on whatever he on.”
Turning, I kept my arm around him and his around me but looked at my nuggets. They all either had serious expressions because they were paying attention or smiles because they were so happy. This had been a great class, and saying goodbye to them would be bittersweet. A few minutes passed before the nuggets and fries I ordered from McDonald’s was delivered. I hated I let them choose what they wanted to eat, but if that was what they wanted, that was what they’d get. Mateo asked if he could stay long enough to eat, and Kayne agreed.
He and I got everyone’s plates fixed before passing them out, and after they were done, the parents were able to fix themselvessomething at the taco and nacho bar. By then, Kayne decided it was time for them to go.
“Has maintenance come and changed your light bulb in the bathroom yet?” he asked.
“Not yet. They said it’s not a priority, so they’ll get to it this weekend.”
“How is you not being able to see in there not a priority? If your ass fall getting out that damn tub, I bet it’ll be a priority then.”
“Language,” I reminded with a smile as Mateo and Miley snickered next to him.
Sucking his teeth, Kayne nodded and pulled in a calming breath. “I’ll come and take care of it this evening.”
“Are you sure? You don’t have to?—”
“Of course, and I’ll bring dinner too.”
“Well thanks, pookie. I’ll see you then.”
Avoiding my desire to hug him, I watched as he directed Mateo to say goodbye to his sister. The pair hugged before Kayne and Mateo left. Sadness washed over Miley briefly before she hugged me and thanked me for letting her brother stay. Days like today were exhausting, but moments like this made it all worth it.
Mateo’s knee jumped as he twiddled his thumbs and looked around the room. We’d been sitting for three hours waiting for Sonny to get home. During that time, I fixed dinner out of what I could find in the kitchen—chicken and noodles since that was really all he had outside of frozen and packaged processed shit—and helped the kids clean up before we did their homework. Now, Miley was watching some show on YouTube while Mateo anxiously waited for his father to arrive. I believed he thought he was in trouble, though I’d already assured him that wasn’t the case. I checked the time on my phone, and since it was nearing six-thirty, I decided to leave.
“Is your dad usually this late?” I asked, looking around the now clean living room area.
“Uh, yes, sir. Sometimes. He probably picked up a second shift.”
“When he does that, who takes care of y’all?”
Mateo chuckled as he stood and walked over to his Xbox. “I do. I make us a frozen meal and make sure she does her homework and takes a bath. By the time he gets home, she’s usually in bed, so I get to spend a little time with him by myself before I have to go too. But it don’t be a lot.”
The sadness in his tone couldn’t be ignored as he plopped down in the gaming chair. I wasn’t really comfortable leaving them here alone, but I’d promised Jayla that I’d come through, and I couldn’t spend my whole night waiting for Sonny.
“Okay, well, you have my number now, so call me if y’all need anything. I’ll try to call your dad and talk to him a little later.”
“Okay. Thanks again, Mr. Mathis.”
With a nod, I stood and headed to the front door. At least they weren’t in a bad neighborhood, and I wasn’t too worried about anyone bothering them. Plus, Sonny had cameras at the front and back door. Miley also mentioned their older next door neighbor being her friend, so I assumed she kept an eye out for them too. This shit was fucking with my mental in a way nothing had before. I felt conflicted wanting to do more but also maintaining boundaries I usually never crossed with my students.
When I left their home, I noticed an older woman in a rocking chair on her porch. She gave me an inquisitive smile and wave, prompting me to go over and speak. Her name was Carla, and she confirmed that she kept an eye on the kids to make sure no one bothered them. They also knew to go to her house if they had any emergencies, and she fed them over the weekend while Sonny was at work. That allowed me to breathe a little easier as I left.
I stopped by Jayla’s favorite Italian restaurant to get the alfredo pasta and chicken cutlet that she loved, then made my way to her apartment. She didn’t want to deal with the upkeep ofa home, and I respected that. I was the same way. I didn’t want a home until I was about to get married and start my family. For now, I enjoyed my high rise apartment in the entertainment district area of Rose Valley Hills. The rent was cheaper because there was constant noise because of live music and concerts almost every weekend, but because I loved music so much, that worked in my favor. I would have paid double to be in the heart of the music, so getting a discount on my rent made the area a plus.
Excitement surged through me the moment I pulled into Jayla’s complex. It was crazy how happy I was to be with my pooh. I valued our alone time. Hell, I valued any time I could spend with her. It felt crazy pining over a woman I’d never have, but I kept telling myself our friendship would have to be fulfilling enough.