“Can I play now? Please? Please, please, please?” he begged, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.
From the kitchen, Vanessa’s voice floated down the hall. “Food’s ready in five!”
I laughed. “Afteryou eat. We don’t want to make Mama think she cooked for nothing…especiallysince this is a rare occasion,” I whispered that last part.
“Right,” he replied, rolling his eyes playfully, a grin still plastered on his face.
We walked into the kitchen, and Kyrin immediately started telling Mama about his gifts.
Vanessa smiled, genuinely. “You have the best sister that anyone can ask for.”
“You can say that again!” Kyrin agreed, leaning on me.
“But I’ll have you know thatIcooked your favorites…andI baked you a cake.” Vanessa glanced at the store-bought one on the counter. “I see Ajori bought one too, so I’ll understand if you—”
“No, Ma,” Kyrin interjected, shaking his head fast. “I’ll eat both. Thank y’all both. This is the best birthday ever.”
Vanessa and I looked at each other… smiling. And for a moment—one rare, fragile moment—we felt like an actualfamily.
How long would that last, though? That was a different question entirely.
***
“Today was the best day ever!” Kyrin exclaimed as he climbed into bed after his bath. “Thanks to you… and Mama.”
I smiled at him. “I aim to please,” I kidded.
He looked up at me, a hint of concern creasing his forehead. “Do you have to work tonight?” he asked, his lower lip jutting out in a familiar pout.
That question lodged itself right in my heart, like a pebble in my shoe I couldn't shake off.
For a brief moment, I turned to the television, letting the noise fill the silence as I grappled with how to answer him. Because the truth was... yes.
Not only was it Kyrin’s birthday, but it was also the night I was supposed to start my new "mystery" job.
I walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. Kyrin shifted over so I had room, his little shoulder bumping against mine like he always did.
“Unfortunately, yeah,” I sighed, feeling the energy in the room shift slightly.
His smile dimmed just a fraction, the light in his eyes flickering like the candle on his birthday cake.
“But,” I added quickly, trying to lift the mood, “I won’t be doing the Uber job tonight.”
That part was technically true. The two jobs had similarities; instead of transporting passengers, I’d be transporting, well, God-knows-what.
I definitely didn’t tell him that.
His eyebrows shot up, eager curiosity shining through the earlier disappointment. “You’re going to the store this late?”
“No… I actually picked up another job,” I answered, choosing my words carefully.
His eyes widened in wonder, like I'd just told him Santa moved in next door. “Another job?”
“Yeah, kiddo.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sometimes you gotta go where the money resides… and this one supposedly pays way more than the two I already have combined.”
“What kind of job is it? What will you be doing?” he fired off questions, his inquisitive nature taking over.
I inhaled slowly, searching for an answer that wasn’t a lie but wasn’t the full truth either, careful not to shatter his innocent view of the world.