Heir laughed harder, and while I was glad she found my plight entertaining, but I was serious.
“If you feel this strongly about getting out of the house already, I don’t see how you’re going to last here a whole week, Marz.”
“The only thing keeping me here is knowing I get to be here with you and that you’re safe. If I was guarding anyone else, I’d probably be leaving tomorrow to try and find him. Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll have full days at the house to spend with you when this is over, so I want to take advantage. It’s going to be an adjustment though.”
“I feel you. I’m naturally a homebody. Outside of work, I didn’t usually leave the house until the weekend to enjoy myself. I was a live for the weekend kind of woman, so being here all day isn’t too bad. It has its boring moments but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Hopefully it’ll be over soon. We got a lot of life to live. I’m ready to take you out, travel with you, build a life with you.”
“Aww,” she cooed before kissing my lips. “I’m excited about that too. Actually?—”
My phone vibrating paused our conversation. It was Neptune, and that was the only reason I answered.
“Wassup, baby boy?” I spoke, setting my rolling tray on the table and gripping Heir’s thigh.
“Wassup, big brotha? I just wanted to let you know me and Pops about to get Ariel’s stuff.”
“Aw man. I’m missing the fun. Y’all can’t wait on me?”
Neptune chuckled. “I mean we could, but she’s ready to just get it out the way. A few of the guys are meeting us there so we’ll only have to make one trip. Raheem offered her the house and said he’d leave but she wants a new start.”
“Understandable. Well, let me know how it goes, and call me if y’all need me.”
“Aight, bet. She called and told him we were on the way to warn his ass, so I’m sure he won’t even be there.”
“You right. I’d be more surprised if he was there than if he wasn’t.”
We ended up talking until they pulled up, and when he said Raheem was waiting outside with a squad car I laughed. He really had protection because he knew he was owed an ass whupping. I let him get off the phone so they could handle their business, then me and Heir smoked and played a few games before deciding to order a couple of pizzas and spend the rest of the evening watching movies. As much as I wanted to leave the house, I couldn’t deny that I’d enjoyed my time with her. If this was what lazy days with her would look like once we were married, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Chapter
Sixteen
Heir
While Marzand I watchedThe Cosby Show, it gave me all the feels. It was arguably one of the best black sitcoms of all times. Not just because it was entertaining, but because of what it symbolized for our culture. The representation it provided. And the fact that it was the foundation for one of my favorite shows—A Different World.
“That’s the kind of balance I want for my life and family when I get married,” I said after chewing my popcorn. “Cliff and Claire were so balanced. They made time for family, friends, community, each other, and themselves. We saw them live full lives without having to sacrifice anything. And I loved the fact that they both worked and did what they loved. Claire was really that girl, and she still found the time to be successful and never lost herself in being a mom or wife.”
“And she didn’t play,” Marz added. “She might not have cursed people out but the classy way in which she put people intheir place should have been studied. But she was still soft and kind and feminine as well. That’s not a common balance.”
“You’re right about that,” I agreed, lifting my phone from the couch as it vibrated.
At the sight of Daddy’s picture, I hummed softly under my breath as I answered. “Hey, Daddy. Y’all good?”
“Uh… yeah, Princess. I’m sorry to lay this on you right now, but your granny is sick.”
My heart dropped as I sat up in my seat. “What do you mean she’s sick?”
“We’re not exactly sure what’s going on. She grew weak and fell yesterday and spent the night on the floor because no one knew.”
“Oh my God!” I yelled, jumping up from my seat.
“When she didn’t send me her usual good morning text, I went over because I felt like something was wrong. That’s when I found her on the floor. Her face is bruised pretty bad and her hip is sore, but she has no broken bones. Her heart rate and oxygen are what’s concerning.”
“What are they saying, Daddy?” I asked as my eyes watered.
I didn’t realize I was pacing until Marz pulled me down to his lap and caressed my back.