Lost One

18

❝TAE❞

               "So, what do you think?"

               Tae followed his wife out the counselor's building, holding the door open for her and letting it close behind himself. The two went to stand on the sidewalk in between their cars before facing each other. Shantey was facing the beaming sun, resulting in her to instantly raise her hand just above her eyebrows to block the light and her face scrunching up in a frown. Instinctively, Tae traded her places by having her take his place with his back to the sun while he took hers, accepting the fact his face had to scrunch up into a frown as hers did.

               The gesture might've been simple, but it was one that let Shantey know he at least still cared.

               "We should..definitely come back." He finally answered her question and she let out a quiet sigh of relief whilst nodding her head. "I know you bouta head on tour in another week or so and she suggesting we do this once a week. You gone be in the south for a month. How this bouta work?"

               "I give the dates to Omar and make sure he doesn't book a show for that day and I'll fly back in." Shantey proposed and stated, "I want to work on our situation; even if tapping into the past helps with that. I'm dedicated. He release the dates tomorrow afternoon, so I'll go by DMG and handle that."

               Tae nodded, looking over the side for a second at a car that drove by when something the counselor said came to his mind. "You and David need to talk." He told her.

               "Tavon—"

               "Na, just listen to me." He commanded as she stared up at him to what else he had to say. "You know Cru was scared to tell his Pop he wanted to join the football team out here?" Hearing the softens her expression, "He didn't want to tell him and his father think you told him to do so he wouldn't be able to go out there certain weekends and y'all start arguing. He only eleven, and hesitant bout doing kid shit at school because he tryna protect his parents and keep 'em calm. Don't allow another one of yo kids to grow up before they need to. We already did one that way."

               Shantey thought back on times their eldest would be so understanding at such a young age when he didn't have to be; not realizing that was creating a boy into a man before he was able to do that himself and the built up resentment that was causing.

               Shantey sighed softly. "I get it. Just..he and my communication skills isn't at the level that could even happen."

               Tae shrugged, dismissing the excuse. "Y'all the parents; not Cru. Keep y'all boy the topic and how it's affecting him and move forward with that." He pulled out his key and pressed the button to unlock and start his truck. "We can change the day to Thursday. I'ma see you that day."

               "Alright, see you then."

               Although the two wanted to depart with a hug or even a kiss, the boundaries they set was more important and simply departed to their own vehicles and went in different directions for the day—her to DMG and him over to his brother's modern farmhouse.

               "De'Aundre!" Tae shouted upon stepping through the eight-foot entry door and taking his key out the black keyhole. Best thing about the two divorcing and living around the corner, they were quick to do pop ups and use their key without calling.