Just Another Secret.

Chapter 52

Keisha

I'm on the phone with Dad. He's still not back. Mom takes extra shifts when he leaves so I'm home alone.

"Dad, don't forget my hat."

"Keisha, I'm wearing it. It's not getting lost."

"Wash it. Your head produces grease like a—"

"It's not grease! Go eat something. Something healthy!"

"I promise I haven't baked since you've been gone."

"Not even for your b-boyfriend?"

"Whenever you mention my boyfriend you make me feel like a little girl who should be embarrassing for having feelings for a boy."

"I'm doing my job. I've got to go. Stay safe."

"Back at ya, big guy." I hang up. I put some spaghetti on the stove.

Not long after I am scared out my wits by pounding at my front door. I am not gonna lie. When I'm home alone clothes are optional. I wear bottoms and a bra. But I'm not answering the front door in a matching two piece. The living room camera is only on when there are guests or when no one is home.

I run upstairs and grab a robe. I run back down and strain my pasta. No one likes overcooked mushy spaghetti.

That's when I open the door. "Mrs. Hayes?"

"Robin." She corrects me. "You take long to open the door."

"Dinner is going, pasta to be specific. I was and still am in a two piece under this robe."

She hums. "Hmmm. I get it. No one likes mushy pasta."

I nod. "So what brings you here?"

"Take him. I don't want him back for at least 30 hours."

Did I mention she's holding her son by the ear?

"Baby?"

"Hi." His smile is so cute.

"Now what did you do to upset your mom."

He's not paying attention. He's staring at my chest. I flick him and cover up a bit more. "Kahlil!"

"Hm?"

I look at Robin. "Is he under the influence?"

"No. He's just a boy." She pushes him at me. I step out of the way, he flies into my house.

"Oh, while he's here explain to him xx and xy. Thank you very much." She's tries to make a run for it.

"Wait!" I lower my volume, "he doesn't know how sex chromosomes work?"

"Bye, Keisha!" She gets in her car, tosses me a duffel-bag and speeds off.

It's stuffed with clothes for Kahlil and his school stuff. It always the days I'm not working. Are they psychic?

I get back inside. Kahlil's in my kitchen stirring my sauce.

"Keish, please go put clothes on. You are distracting me."

"There is no way you come here distracting my peace and start making suggestions."

"I thought you liked my presence. This is really good." He tastes my sauce.

"You know, it's just a bunch of steamed vegetables mashed with all purpose seasoning and blended smooth?" I know he hates vegetables.

"Another thing I love about you. You can turn something I hate into something amazing."