This November

Chapter 29

What did that little boy just say to her?

Malik already warned her that his stepfather seemed like a racist asshole and that Aida had not corrected him on some things. It was bad enough that she was already self-conscious of her skin color, now this little boy had to bring it to light.

Then she thought about it. He was a little boy. So innocent in all of this. You weren't born racist, it was learned behavior. He was a kid, he did not understand.

"Anthony, I don't think that's nice to say," Malik said to him in a firm tone.

"Anthony, say sorry," Aida said to him.

"No, wait," she said to them. "He didn't do anything wrong. He's right. I have really dark skin."

She held out her bare arms to him so he could look at her, as she examined herself. Skin so dark as midnight, or ebony or the many other shades people called it over the years. Sitting next to Malik, on the opposite side of the spectrum, it was kind of amazing they bonded over something like skin color.

She didn't know Anthony. She just met him. But she knew one thing, she did not want him to be hung up on skin color either.

"You know what? I hated my skin, for years. Why did I have to be so dark? I wanted to be lighter...whiter sometimes. But I'm not and I can't be because this is me. I have learned to appreciate it, and love it, and be good to myself about it."

Malik squeezed her hand because he knew that was such a feat for her.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way." Anthony looked down when he said it, his face turning bright red, he mumbled. "I never saw someone so pretty like you."

Aida chuckled at that. It brought a smile to her face and Malik beamed.

"Okay, so my son has good taste just like me."

Anthony covered his face in embarrassment. Malik stood up and made his way to him, squatting by his side, an arm on his shoulder.

"It's okay son, you appreciate a pretty girl. I won't hold it against you it's my girl."

Anthony moved his hands and looked at him. "I don't like girls!"

"Okay, tell you what, why don't we take a walk and you tell me more about yourself? I want to get to know you and you get to know me. Ask me anything."

It was kind of uncanny how Anthony looked like Malik, except in a "white boy" way. He definitely could pass for white, no questions asked. Only if you looked closer would you see Black features. It was a beautiful thing to see skin in all shades and she hoped he never grew up regretting what he looked like she and Malik did.

Be happy with how you were and love everything about it.

This boy after only five minutes made her realize that after all these years.

"Mom, is it okay if I go with...Malik?"

"Sure honey." Aida hugged him. "Mommy loves you, be good for me."

It was a weird feeling, watching Malik walk off with this boy that was his. His child. His flesh and blood. And the fact that after all these years he stepped up to do the right thing. She liked this new Malik.

She liked what she was becoming because of him.

Back at school on Monday, the last week, it was always bittersweet with the students. The more she got used to teaching, the more she connected with her students. Some of them had been with her since she began. First as a teacher's assistant with her mentor, and then in the two years since she was a full-time teacher. She never thought she would enjoy being a teacher, but here she was.

Then again, it was work, and she looked forward to having the summer off and doing nothing.

"Ms. Washington, your class is the best! We don't have a final," one of her students who had been taking drama classes with her since she started at Roosevelt High.

"But we do-"

"It's not a final, final," he said and paused. "Performing a monologue as the final? Piece of cake."

To him because he was an overachiever who really had talent. He was already "TikTok famous" having a large following from making dance videos and doing stupid pranks. Probably made more money than her.

She shook her head at that. One thing she did not like about teaching, the money.

The way finals were set up this week, every day was a half day and she only had one class with a final. She used her time reading a book from her list of many books she planned on reading in the summer. No other plans, maybe be a tourist in her own city and see some sights. She thought of Malik and then worried. He would be away, filming a movie in California. Maybe she would visit him.

He would be back a lot, now that he had a relationship with his son.

At the end of the day, when she was about to head out of her class, in walked Carter. He did not say a word but locked the door behind him. Damnit, the man looked amazing. Like sex on a stick. Even nearly double her age, he could put a man her age to shame. Those golden curls, those blue eyes, that tall frame overpowering her short one.

She grew weak just looking at him.

"Carter, what are you doing?"

Still not a word from him, he walked to her, grabbed her in his arms, and kissed her. She was too stunned to move, her hands on his chest but not pushing him away.

"I've given you enough time to think about it. I want us back."

She moved away from him.

"No! I'm with Malik now."

"I don't give a fuck about him! I need you. I can't stop thinking about you. Holding you in my arms. Making love to you. Tink, I love you and it's not going away."

She understood those feelings. Every time she saw him she still had those feelings again. And she still did not know how she felt about Malik. Everything seemed too good to be true, but what if the old Malik showed up? The old Malik who would hurt her.

"Carter, I can't...we can't. Not anymore. You're the one who told me to date Malik and he's more appropriate for me."

"I was wrong!" He held a hand to her cheek. "You know you still feel the same about me."

He pulled her back to him, kissed her and she kissed him back. It felt so good to be back in his arms.

But what about Malik?