Page 120 of Steel

“It’s nice to finally put a face to a name. We used to hear so much about you.”

“Same. I felt like I knew y’all back then. It’s crazy we never met each other’s parents.”

Her dad chuckled. “Neha went off to school and forgot her way home at times.”

Neha rolled her eyes. “I was living the life, Daddy.”

Pops laughed. “My boys were the same way. Now, my oldest daughter was home every weekend.”

“’Cause Jaeda ain’t have no friends, Pop,” I jested.

“Leave my baby alone. She didn’t need any friends when she had me.”

Mrs. Malone smiled. “You close with all your kids?”

“I am. They drive me crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“This little cutie your youngest?” she asked, pinching Emmy’s cheek.

Pops grinned. “Oh, no. I’m her godfather. I had nothing to do with conception. She’s Kerrion’s baby sister on his mom’s side.”

“Oh! Well, isn’t that something.”

“It’s ghetto,” I said. “My son will be in school with his auntie. My daughter is already in school with her uncle.”

We all shared a laugh as my phone chimed with a text. It was Ms. Anita, letting me know that she was coming through thegate. I looked around until I spotted her and waved her over. She approached the group with a warm smile.

“Hey, Ms. Anita,” I said, hugging her. “You know most everybody else, but Mr. and Mrs. Malone, Dinah, this is KJ’s grandmother. Ms. Anita, these are Neha’s parents and her sister.”

The Malones gave a cheerful greeting.

“Nice to meet you all,” Ms. Anita said with an awkward smile. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Nonsense,” Mrs. Malone said. “The more the merrier. We were just about to grab the kids some food.”

Ms. Anita looked at KJ, who was comfortably resting in Neha’s arms like he had been.

“Hi, baby!” she cooed, trying to take him.

KJ started whining and held on to Neha tighter.

“Awww, KJ, don’t be like that. Come to Grandma.”

She tried to take him again, and this time, he screamed. Neha gently bounced him and rubbed his back.

“He might be a little cranky from all the sun,” she offered.

Ms. Anita’s jaw flinched. “I see.”

“Why don’t we get something to eat first?” I suggested. “He’s always in a better mood after he eats.”

Ms. Anita didn’t say anything, just nodded. Absentmindedly, I grabbed Neha’s hand as we all started walking over to food stands located in the park. The prices were outrageous for the portion size, but we made do by ordering extras. KJ refused to leave Neha. He sat comfortably on her lap, trying to steal food from her plate and smacking his gums when she gave him a taste of anything.

“He really likes you,” Mrs. Malone said to her daughter with a smile.

Neha grinned and kissed Fat Man’s cheeks. “This is my little friend.”

“You’re around him often?” Ms. Anita asked.