THAT Conversation:

C’mon. YOU said you would be honest with me & keep it real! & you want me to do the same, correct?

I nod.

Cool!

This teenager was hyped at making a point that was actually truth.

Respect, right?

He asked sarcastically as he tilted his head to the side.

Fine. & DONT tell your mother I’m out here smokin, either.

I got up and looked over the balcony as I exhaled.

Shit. I’ll never forget the first time my eyes found your moms…

I shook my head.

I know you’re probably gonna think this is corny, but…the moment I saw your mother…Time. Stood. Still. & in that frozen moment the only two things that existed was your mother and the pounding of my heartbeat.

I couldn’t believe a woman THAT beautiful was sharing the same space with me…
&…she looked at me. She…looked into me…she looked…through me with her gaze. She was so confident and commandeering even in her strut across the room. My eyes followed her & wondered what the fuck I did to deserve to have this gift, presently in my presence…

& what the hell happened why you ain’t push up?

I cocked my head to the side.

You know, why man. Your OTHER mother. Also known as your moms wife.

Yeah, but she wasn’t even around for hella long! She left us and you were the only person that helped my mom. I hadnt seen her smile or laugh or be happy for real, for real until yall became friends. She was hella depressed and then you came along and that changed.

Yeah.

I sighed. The kid was right.

Still. That’s not the way to start something…to start anything. With lies and deception. That just begets more of that shit & my Soul just ain’t about that.

Besides…initially! When I thought your mom was available…man…

I shake my head.

The amount of Love I had planned on sharing with her…it would be too beautiful and we…I, couldn’t start out like that with your mom. Whatever is meant to be, will be. So, if it’s gonna happen, it’ll happen the right way. That energy, kid. It’s universal currency. You don’t want to afford that type of karma.
I hope you feelin me at least a little.

He sits there quietly for a minute. Our backs turned away from the living room.

No thoughts, huh?

Just doesn’t seem fair, though. The way you talk about my mom, the way she lights up whenever she see you! It’s so damn obvious she in love with you!

Excuse you-

Gisselle butted into the conversation after obviously eaves dropping…