Page 68 of Tension

“The best accident we ever had.” My father said, rubbing down my waves.

“I couldn’t even tell that y'all are that far apart.”

Chris pulled out her phone and took a picture of my picture.

“Uh-uh. What you need that for?” I asked her, getting up to go get her phone.

She leaned into my mother, and my mom fended me off, protecting Chris.

“Move, boy; she can take pictures.”

Chris stuck her tongue out at me.

“See, we not gon’ have this teaming up mess,” I told both of them, wagging my finger.

“It's three against three now,” my mother said smugly, talking about them and my brother's wife, Alana, being a team.

“Thank you, Mrs. Lovita. I’m happy to be on the team.”

My mom turned to Chris. I took a seat back beside my dad.

“I know you have lost your family, and I don’t want to overstep, but whenever your ready, please don’t hesitate to call me Mama.” She patted Chris's thigh.

“Same goes for me.” My dad said, chiming in.

Chris smiled at them, her eyes glazing over as she held back tears.

I got up to go sit beside her. She leaned into me, letting the tears out.

My mom rubbed her back.

We all sat there and gave her time to feel her feelings.

CHRIS

“You good, baby?” I nodded as Vel gathered his things to start his day.

Lately, he had been working nonstop. He bent down to kiss me, and I grabbed his arm, making him take a moment to stop.

“Are you good?” I asked him, trying to look in his eyes and see what he wasn’t showing me.

“I’m always good, Honeydew.”

I accepted it and let him go.

“I'm going to look into those permits and things for the gym today.”

“I told you you don’t have to do that; I got it.”

“I’m not doing anything; just let me take something off your plate.”

“You worried about my plate, and I'm trying to give you the whole table.”

“What?”

“Nothing, baby, just chill, enjoy your time off. I’m trying to give you a break from all the craziness. Love you!” And with that, he was gone out the door.

I still found myself organizing things for the gym.