Page 88 of Kissed By the Trillest Thug 2
“I got it.”
She gave me this look like she wanted to know what this was about, but I just gave her a reassuring nod to silently let her know that things were good. I slid the back door open, and Tahari followed me outside.
The backyard was quiet. The only sounds were birds somewhere in the distance and the faint crackle of grease drifting through the open kitchen window. I slipped both hands into my pockets.
“You alright?”
“Yeah.”
He answered too fast, so I looked at him.
“Try again.”
There was a moment of silence as he stared out across the backyard instead of looking at me.
“How you know something wrong?”
A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
“Because ever since you walked through that front door you ain’t looked at my daughter but maybe twice.”
His head dropped.
“Damn,” he sighed out.
“I notice everything,” I said.
“I see that.”
We stood outside in silence. I was giving him time to gather his thoughts. I wanted him to talk when he was ready. There was no rush here.
“I found out something today,” he finally said, “it has something to do with my daddy.”
My expression softened. It looked like he was battling with whatever news he was given.
“I ain’t asking you to tell me.”
He looked over.
“I appreciate that.”
“But whatever it is, it’s wearing you down.”
“It is. I just…” He rubbed both hands over his face. “I don’t even know how to process it.”
I understood that feeling better than most. Finding out some shit was one thing, but trying to navigate your way through dealing with it was something totally different.
“You ain’t gotta figure it out today.”
His eyes met mine.
“And whatever it is. Don’t make the mistake of carrying it by yourself.”
He looked away again.
“I’ve been carrying it by myself all afternoon,” he admitted.
“I can tell.”
