Benny laughed, able to now that things had changed for the better.
“Nah, but for real. My mom had to tell me I better go after that woman, and I did. I didn’t let my situation or hers stop what we were building.”
“I hear you loud and clear. I was getting ready to let the stuff with my mom bleed into what I have with Solana. It might be time to have that conversation with Heiress.”
Benny nodded. “If it’s getting in the way, hell yeah. But you know this could have been a text or a phone call, right?”
“Hell yeah, if I knew you were just going to ask me one question,” I replied.
Benny smiled and picked up his water when his phone rang. He flipped the screen toward me to show Charlie was calling, her smiling face on the screen holding that popsicle I had given her at the backpack giveaway.
“Because of you, this little girl is stalking me for ice cream. Had I not left the house, she wouldn’t have thought a thing about it.”
He answered and Charlie’s little face was pressed close to the screen like she was trying to see into the house.
“Daddy, you don’t look like you got my ice cream yet. Where you at?”
I ran my hand down my face, looking forward to the days I could experience something like that. I saw all of it with Solana, as long as she forgave me for acting like a fool over this situation.
“Charlie, what did I tell you about patience? It’s a what?” he questioned her.
“It’s a erchew,” she replied somberly, like she had been reminded of this more than once.
I couldn’t help but laugh as Benny shook his head trying to hold a straight face.
“Virtue, baby. But if you went to bed you wouldn’t have to worry about it. I’ll be there soon. Your uncle Duke is footing the bill too.”
Benny flipped the camera around so Charlie could see me. She waved both her little hands and arms wildly.
“Thank you, Uncle Duke!”
I smiled, more than happy to give up a few dollars for her ice cream. It was the least I could do since I needed to borrow her dad.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Benny turned the phone back toward him and reassured Charlie he would be back soon. I laughed as she tried to convince him she needed to stay on the phone and watch him get it. Willow showed up not long after and got onto her for calling about ice cream after being told not to. Otherwise I think my boy would have found a way to ride over and show Charlie in person. The things a man would do for his family.
“Alright, I’m heading out. You might want to text everyone else and tell them to stay home. You’ve got a long night ahead of you with some begging to do. I hope you’ve watched that ‘Cry for You’ video enough times to get it right.”
I waved Benny off with a laugh, then dapped him up and led him to the front door.
“Let me text them.”
I pulled my phone from my back pocket to tell the others I’d hit them up tomorrow and they didn’t need to come.
Juelz: Too late, muthafucka. Come open this door.
Rico: Cool, I was hoping you changed yo’ mind.
Money: Aight.
I locked my phone and slipped it into my back pocket. I opened the door and Juelz was standing on the porch with a scowl. Benny laughed as he dapped him up before jogging down the steps to leave.
Juelz didn’t wait a moment before walking past me into the house with wide eyes. He looked around, then back at me.
“Well damn. How long have you been living here, and what place have you been inviting us to all this time?” Juelz asked.
“A minute. But the other place is mine too. This one is just further out.”