Across the store Massey’s eyes grew wide and her cheeks turned red. Poor thing. “Shut up, Ari.” She gritted trying to hide behind a bookshelf. “Can we go now? She’s done catching the cooties.”
“Next time how about you order online like everybody else.” I waited for her to say something smart back. Instead, she looped her fingers through mine and tugged me to the exit.
“Are we still having our movie night?” Ari was stingy when it came to my attention. She hated to share me with anyone, even her siblings and cousins. She barely played nice when Krishna was around. “Yes, baby girl. Just you and I.” “Swell.” What kid says swell?
Life as I once knew it, the dangerous life I used to live, none of that appeased me anymore. Cassian and Noelani handled the business while I became a retired man enjoying the fruits of my labor. Dropping off and picking up the kids. Doing all the things I never got to enjoy. Against my better judgment Atlas became more involved with helping Noelani schedule out the routes and days of shipments. Together all three of them managed to expand up to Jacksonville and Tampa taking over every port in Florida.
“Massey, Uncle Amell is dropping you home. Then we’re going to his house to have a movie night with just him and me.” If there was ever a petty child, it would be Ari.
“I don’t care, Ari.” Massey rolled her eyes. The way they argued you’d think both of them were two teenagers.
“Massey is more than welcome to come, Ari.” I glanced over at the spoiled child with the poked-out lip and folded arms.
“Why…why does she have to come with us? In a few months we won’t have movie nights anymore. Uncle Amell, you aren’t considering my feelings.” On the verge of tears she hopped out my truck and ran inside the house.
“Wow. That little girl is dramatic with a capital D.” Massey shook her head. “I’m going to head home. Tell drama queen that she gets you all to herself.” Before she started walking down the street, I called out her name.
“Tomorrow we’re going to the Heat game. Tell AJ.” She squealed running back to hug me. “Thank you. Thank you. OMG. I can’t wait to tell him.”
“Why is Ari crying on the couch like she just had her little heartbroken?” Krishna stood in the doorway with a spoon in her hand. “Poor thing seems so distraught that I gave her my ice cream.” Krishna Gazelle Kalmin. My world.
Some days were good. Some days we had to give each other space, but we pushed through our issues and fought. Every day I made the choice to love my wife how she needed to be loved because in return she loved me beyond the surface. The highlight of my day came when she walked through the house after a full day of teaching. Telling me how much she enjoyed her kids and watching JD do the same. Both of them were High School biology teachers at Dillard High School. “Ari is having a hard time dealing with the babies and took it out on Massey.” My hands rested on Krishna’s five-month belly.
Andrea told the truth life had found its way in Krishna’s womb again. This time it was twice the blessing. We called them our rainbow babies. God had blessed us with not one baby but two. We were having fraternal twins. A girl and a boy. Instantly my mind went to Odom and O’Nesha. Krishna asked if I wanted to name our babies after them. I surprised her by telling her no.
We were going to incorporate their memory somehow with the kids’ names. We just hadn’t figured it out yet. “Aww, poor thing.” Her lip poked out as she walked over to where Ari sat. “Ari, sweetie, aren’t you excited to meet your baby cousins?”
With a spoon in her mouth she wiped her tears. “Yes and no. I won’t be Uncle Amell’s favorite anymore when they get here. He’ll forget about me.” I can’t believe she thought that.
“Come here, Ari.” She handed Krishna her ice cream and sat down next to me. “You know you’ll always be my special girl, right?” She nodded pushing up her glasses. “As my special girl I’m going to need your help taking care of the babies. Don’t you want to be my helper? Singing to them how I sing to you?
Changing their diapers. Feeding them. Don’t you want to help me and Auntie Krishna?” Her eyes were big as she nodded. “Oh, yes. I want to help. I’ll be the best helper ever. We can…Aunty Krishna, why are you crying?”
Wearing a sports bra and tights, she sat on the opposite couch crying eating her ice cream. “Y’all are just so cute.” This woman and her damn hormones.
“Do you wanna watch Deep Blue Sea with us? I’ll share Uncle Amell with you?” “Yes. I wanna watch it. Thank you, Ari.” “You’re welcome. I’ll go fix the popcorn.” “Really, Krishna?” I shook my head watching Ari in the kitchen. “She’s too spoiled.”
“And who’s fault is that? She sleeps here more than she does at her house. Tonight, we’re sharing you cause I want my feet rubbed.” Her phone rang causing her to sigh. I looked to see who it was and watched Krishna’s reaction.
A few weeks ago, I told Noelani in the politest way possible to leave Krishna alone. To give her time. To give her space. Most importantly not to stress her and my children out, and if she did, she’d have me to deal with me and Cassian wouldn’t be able to help her.
I get it. Noelani wanted their old friendship back. She expected Krishna to sleep off the way she felt overnight but that wasn’t the case. My wife dealt with a lot of trauma. She went to counseling every week to get help but the memories of what happened were still present. When I asked her if she’d ever forgive Noelani she admitted that at this time she hadn’t.
“Aye. Aye. Where that booger picking little girl at?” Cassian’s voice echoed through my house. He and Atlas followed by all the kids came around the corner with bags of groceries. “Why are you here, Daddy?” Ari mean mugged her father.
“Booger eater, we’re here to have movie night since you wanna be stingy. I was going to let you be great but since you wanted to show out in public with my baby.” Cassian shrugged. Ari gasped holding her tiny fist up at Massey. “I can’t believe you, Massey.
Uncle Cassian, did Massey tell you that she was kissing a boy and has the cooties?” I know this little instigator did not just lie. “Kissing a boy?” Cassian’s neck snapped so fast to look at a frightened Massey. “How many times I gotta tell you that you’ll go bald if you start kissing. Turn into a city girl if you want to. I’ll break both of your legs and your arms. We’ll see if that boy likes kissing a crippled girl then.” “Oh, my goodness. Can we please just watch the movie already?” Ari snatched up the remote.
The bickering and the playful arguing, I loved my family. Loved them to death and would do anything for them. God spared me. He blessed me by aligning my path with a woman who’d go to the ends of the earth to save me from myself.
Blessed me with a family that would fight to protect my honor. I love them all, and I’ll do anything. Anything to protect them.
The End.