Lost One

12

❝TAE❞

His week has come to an end having the kids. Tae was in the robot-themed nursery dressing the eight-month-old in a comfortable outfit. Standing at the sleek white built-in changing station in a TUFF CROWD sweater and joggers, Azoni was at the milestone he was talking up a storm; getting familiar with his tone, chewing one of his fingers as he laid on the changing padding. Tae smiled at his baby son as he reached over to grab the round container and twisted the lid off.

"Let me moisturize yo hair, little dude." Putting a small amount of the SheaMoisture Coconut Curling Cream in the palm of his large hand and rubbing it in with the other. Still babbling, he lifted the eight-month-old's head and gently applied the curl enhancer through his dark hair from roots to end. "I don't want to hear yo Momma mouth saying I leave y'all hair dry over here."

Azoni was familiar with his father's voice and responded with his own babble of words. "Yeah, I know. But Momma already thinking y'all hair be dry so she bouta see that's false. Now yo' brotha hair, I don't know. He got too much hair for no reason."

Seona walked in the nursery, frowning at the sound of her father talking and no one responding in clear words the way he was. "Who are talking to?" She asked, leaning on the doorpost.

Glancing to his left at the door, Tae seen his only baby girl dressed and ready in a mustard yellow tank top tucked in her camouflage cargo pants and custom low top Winnie The Pooh NIKE AIR FORCE 1s her eldest brother specially created for her. Scottie done her hair in two sleek knot buns. "I'm talking to yo brother." He lifted Azoni up to his chest, "You look pretty mama."

Seona gave a curtsy, smiling. "Thank you."

"Let's go; y'all gotta get to Momma." He left the nursery carrying Azoni and Seona following behind into the large upstairs hallway. "Ken! Cru! Ameer! Y'all need to come on!"

Hearing his name from downstairs while getting his dark hair done by Scottie, Ameer hollered, "I'm downstairs with Scottie!"

Three down, Was the thought in Tae's mind. "Cru and Ken!"

Ken and Cru rushed out their rooms in unison and the sight of the eleven-year-olds crinkled hair sent him into a confusion. "Cruz, what the fuck? You took down yo hair?"

Cruz chuckled as he rubbed his fingers through his hair. "I had Lorelei take it down for me before she took her nap. Those braids was over with, yo."

"Why do that before going back with yo Momma?"

"Chillll, T. I'll throw a headband on and problem solved." Cru end his suggestion with a shrug.

Tae shook his head. "You got it figured all out, don't you? She already think I don't do y'all hair. Come on."

Ken and Cru snickered, descending the stairs followed by everyone else. Scottie just finished Ameer's neat back bun before he raced over to join his siblings at the door. "Ready, Scottie?"

"Yeah, my bag right there." Scottie gestured to the cheetah print suitcase. "Y'all ready to ride in the Cadillac?"