Diamonds in the Rough: VOL. I

six

Chasity smiled at the sound of Murphy's voice. Her mom and grandmother had been in the kitchen talking about something while she was waiting for her dad. It was the first time they were separated since he came around.

Murphy entered the living room and she smiled. "Hi dad."

"Wassup baby girl?" He walked towards her. "How was camp?"

Her smile disappeared. "I don't have any friends." She touched her charm on her necklace. Murphy took a seat and grabbed her hand.

"It was only the first day baby girl. You'll make a friend before the summer is over. And even if you didn't, you got dad. I'll be your best friend."

"Really?" She smiled at that idea.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?" He looked her over. "We're going to go to dinner with your mom. Is that good with you?"

"Yes." She nodded. Chasity wanted to see her parents together. She knew how her mom was with Laron. But she wondered why her mom and dad weren't together like her friends back at home. Murphy smiled as he picked her up. Her hands wrapped around his neck instinctively.

"Let's say bye to your Grams, I don't want to keep your mom from Laron too long."

Chasity frowned at the mention of Laron. She didn't say anything though. Pasting a smile back on her face when they entered the kitchen.

"When did you get here?" Tracy asked as soon as they entered the kitchen. Zaria looked away from her phone to look at Chasity in Murphy's arms.

"Two minutes ago."

Tracy looked over to her microwave. "Oh shit. I done kept you here for your whole time with Chasity. I'm sorry Zaria."

"It's fine. We were waiting on Murphy." Zaria explained. "We're going to have dinner."

"That's good." Tracy smiled. "I wish I would have known. I could have cooked something up. Chasity you'll have to help your grams in this kitchen one day."

"Today." Chasity spoke. She thought cooking with her grandmother would keep her parents together a little longer than what her dad was expecting. She smiled at that idea. Zaria raised her eyebrow. She always knew when her child was up to something.

She looked to Murphy and then Tracy. "I don't mind if you two don't."

Murphy shrugged. "I'm good with it."

Tracy smiled. "I can whip up something quick. What's your favorite food Chasity!"

"I like chicken and French fries."

"Chicken and French fries." Tracy repeated. "You'll have to go to the store for me Murphy. I don't have no chicken. Matter fact I need to go shopping. But we'll send your dad to the store. You'll have to go with him Zaria. We both know his ass don't follow instructions."

"Man you be saying four different things that come in six different brands." Murphy laughed. "She can ride with me. You want to come Chasity?"

"No thank you." She smiled. Zaria knew for sure then that her daughter was up to something. She waited until she was tucked into Murphy's car to speak on it.

"Chasity is up to something."

Murphy looked away from the text he received from Alanna. "Why you say that?" He asked as he held his phone thinking of how to respond to the waiting text.

"She never turns down a chance to go shopping. Especially food shopping. She loves to pick out her own snacks." Zaria explained. "Our daughter gets her determination from you. When she wants something she works hard to accomplish whatever goal she set."