Checkmate

40

   Saturday came in a blur. Honestly, I wasn't prepared for the stress that came with the thought of meeting Aliyah. On Friday afternoon, Sam and I went shopping for a gift for the birthday girl. He found more interest in the video game consoles, begging me to get him one. I said I'd think about it, noting it down for Christmas. For nearly an hour, we wandered between isles shelved with dolls of all sizes, tea party sets, glittery nail polish, and more girly stuff.

After confirming with Jarred that Aliyah didn't have a toddler-size kitchen with added items, we went to pay and get it wrapped. Since the party would be taking place at Clay's house, one of Jarred's friends, he decided to come get us two hours early.

   It was currently forty minutes past one. I'd decided to wear red jeans with a mustard yellow, off-the-shoulder blouse with black ballet flats. With my hair in a fresh twist-out, I opted for bold earrings, more specifically of the medium-sized, hoop variety. I wasn't a big fan of hoops, although, with my current hairstyle, my usual diamond studs would be fully concealed.

As I finished my makeup with a generous coat of lip gloss, my phone buzzed on the dresser. Jarred's name flashed on the screen.

"We'll be right out," I answered the phone by saying.

"Alright, I'm in front," Jarred said before ending the call.

I gathered my purse and gave myself a once-over in the mirror before walking out of the room.

"Sam! Our ride is here!" I called out from the top of the stairs.

Halfway down, I saw him skipping out of the living room.

"You look so handsome," I squealed, taking in his attire.

He had on jean shorts and an olive green polo shirt, paired with black high-top Vans.

A blush formed on his cheeks as he struggled to hold back a smile.

I walked over to him, feeling his well-moisturized curls under my palm as I held him close.

"Ready to have fun today?"

Sam looked up at me, his chipmunk cheeks pushed up by his smile. He nodded excitedly and I mirrored the expression on his face.

"Let us be on our way then. Be sure to grab my bag on your way out, I must check the back door," I said in a hottie tone as I entrusted him with my purse.

He took it in a fit of giggles.

"What?" I asked, genuinely confused yet unable to contain a chuckle.

"You talk funny. Like the butler in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

My eyes widened at the comparison. "No, I do not," I argued, sounding British now.

He laughed even harder, "You totally do."

"How do you even know about that show?" I asked him while making my way down the hall to check the back door.

"I watch it with Dad all the time."

I nearly stopped walking altogether as he said this.

"Really?"

I glanced back to find him nodding his head. "Uh-huh. He said it was your favorite show ever."

   That he was right about. I had a huge crush on Will Smith back in the day. His performance in Enemy of State is still in my top ten favorites of all time. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a classic, but Colton never liked it. Not even when it was airing, finding it "stupid" as was his opinion of sit-coms altogether. It's not hard to understand why the knowledge of him watching it with Sam is so shocking to me.