Daddy's Little Girls

One.

"Kandi, can you move the meeting with Debra Toms

to a day earlier in the week? Thanks!" I spoke into the

intercom on my desk.

I leaned back in my chair, took a deep breath, and

glanced at my desk. Papers were scattered all across

it. I contemplated cleaning it and organizing the papers

into piles, but I glanced at the large clock on the wall

opposite me. In the light of the time, I decided that

leaving was the best option.

I stood up from my leather spinning chair soon after

gathering my keys and sunglasses from my desk drawer.

I locked my office up and strode down the cool hallway.

I exited the elevator, stepped into the parking garage,

and headed over to my vehicle. I praised the warm

weather, which welcomed my skin like a pair of

open arms.

I slid into my car and pushed the ignition button. I

then put my sunglasses on and, within seconds, was

on the street.

The Thursday traffic filled the highway. For thirty

minutes, I skimmed social media on my phone.

As I exited the highway, I thought about what to eat for

dinner. Images of pizza, pasta, and burgers all flashed

through my head. But nothing made my mouth water

until I thought of a combination plate and a side of egg

rolls from Hunan Palace.

Chinese.

I turned down an old street with one hand on the wheel

while the other texted away.

"Boy, you know you late!" Ms. Linda greeted me as

she opened the door.

"I'm sorry, Mama," I said, stepping into her home.

Ms. Linda was the designated neighborhood mother

figure. She used to be a school teacher but now she

just spends her retired days home.

She closed the door behind facing me with a smirk.

"Ain't you always?" she replied.

She sized me up and stepped close, peeling her eyes.

She fastened the top button of my white dress shirt

and dusted off my shoulders. It was a routine she had

done for her husband for years. I sometimes purposely

left my top button undone for her because something

inside me made me think it made her happy.

"You look good, baby. You had a meeting?" She smiled

up at me.

When the sound of pounding feet came echoing from

the hall, I simply nodded and walked toward the noise.