Page 52 of Steel

We could never have anything again, . . . could we?”

I’d gottenup early this morning to go check on my son.

Whatever juice my father had, I needed some of that. He seemed to be feeling a little better and actually smiled at metoday. Nayelli had called me like clockwork when she woke up, so I spoke with her as I got ready for the day. Her calls had been making my morning. They started my day off right. I told her that I told her grandfather about her, and she couldn’t wait to meet him.

When I went over to his place after our call, I relayed the message, and he all but threatened me to move my ass on telling everybody else so he could meet her. After loving on KJ for a beat, I made my rounds, picking up the little Dillingers to take them to school today before heading to pick up Jaiden. I had to butter them up first before I put in my request.

I’d taken them to grab breakfast and slid them all a few dollars, which made them happy. As we pulled up to the school, I noticed Nayelli getting out of a car. In the driver’s seat was Neha. They spoke briefly before she drove off.

“Aye,” I said to my little cousins. “Y’all see that girl right there,” I said, pointing at Nayelli, who was talking to one of the women on drop-off duty.

They all nodded.

“She’s in my class,” Jaiden said.

“Word? Good. Look, I need y’all to do something for me.”

They all looked at me with questioning eyes.

“I want y’all to make friends with her. She’s being bullied, and if anybody messes with her, beat their ass.”

They all grinned.

“We get permission to fight?” Prince asked.

“Don’t hurt them, just let ’em know not to mess with her again. You know how y’all were taught to protect each other? Protect her like she’s one of you.”

“What if we get in trouble?” Kadence asked. “I’m telling my mama you told us to fight.”

I chuckled. “Girl, I ain’t scared of your mama. I’ll take the heat.”

“My daddy’s gonna get you, Steel,” Reagen told me.

“Boy, I used to whup your daddy’s ass. He ain’t getting nothing.”

“Mama’s gonna whup you if I get in trouble, KD,” Jaiden said.

I chuckled. “I ain’t scared of your mama, either.”

“She was your mama first. Daddy is gonna be mad.”

“I ain’t scared of your daddy either.”

“I bet you’re scared of Uncle Stanley.”

I waved him off. “Look, y’all just make sure nobody bothers her again.”

“But why?” Prince asked.

“She’s special to me, and soon, she’ll be special to y’all too. She’s been having a hard time here.”

Jaiden nodded. “The girls are really mean to her. I think they are jealous ’cause she’s pretty.”

Prince grinned. “Jaiden has a crush!”

“I do not!”

They started arguing, and I had to shut them up.