High Fidelity

15. mental malfunction

Wilson James Taylor

Damian and I had just dropped Omar and Wes off after a session at the gym; worked on legs and back, bulking, whatever. We laughed and got to talk about shit other than work that was actually tiring me but I never expressed it.

They said they wanted to go out but I wasn't up for another all-nighter. Of course they all gave me shit for it, especially Wes who was still mad at me for hopping out the car the other night.

Damian, looking at a text on his phone, went "shit" under his breath and made a u-turn.

I asked what the hell he was doing 'cause I had to get home.

"I forgot I had to cut my mom grass, for real," he said.

I looked at him cold for a second then laughed. "Man," I exhaled, sitting back with my jug of water in my lap.

He sucked his teeth. "It won't even take that long, shut up."

Next, we arrived at his parent's house. Dame's dad, Jaxson, was away on business.

"Bro, your mom's here?" I asked, seeing her car in the driveway as we pulled in behind her.

"Yeah, why wouldn't she be?" he asked, removing the hot seatbelt.

I shut my eyes tight. "Bruh. She's going to talk my ear off," I mumbled, looking around.

Damian just laughed, knowing his mother. "Well sit in here, bro, it won't take that long; ima be quick."

I nodded and pulled my phone out for entertainment. It wasn't to be rude, I love Rita, but she likes to get into my head. I guess that's her job, but I rarely leave her with dry eyes if I'm honest.

While the Hassan family was established, Damian had his own place and money. Mister and Mrs.Hassan lived comfortably, not flashy, in their brick home that sat on two acres. Their closest neighbors were down the road. I say that to say, Damian was not going to be done quick.

Bored, I checked the work phone and replied to messages and feedback.

"Wilson Taylor, is that you?" Rita, Damian's mom, bubbled.

She stood outside of Damian's Range Rover, smiling at me.

Rita was a curvy woman who usually had her natural black hair curled. She had big, white, straight teeth hidden under bigger lips - normally glossed and painted a subtle pink. I'd never seen her in anything but a skirt or dress and heels.

She's a great mother, though, really cares for Damian. That and a good wife, constantly making Jaxson "The GOAT" Hassan proud.

Caught, I slipped the phone in my pocket and grinned at her.

"I know you weren't about to sit in this car and not speak," she sassed.

I chuckled, hopping out to hug her. "Hey, Mrs.Hassan, how you doin'?"

"Mmph. Better now. Come help me with these groceries, baby," she talked, leading me towards the front door.

Damian, on the John Deere, saw me being dragged inside and gave me a thumbs up.

I shook my head, stalking inside.

"Remember where the silverware go?" she asked me, passing some utensils she'd just rinsed.

I vibrated my lips, looking around. "It's been a while."

She giggled sweetly and revealed it was right in my face.

"Oh, shit," I laughed through a yawn.

"Tired?"

I nodded.