Natalie & King

Ch.3

Natalie

                                "Where do elephants live mama?" King asked with both hands planted deep in the sandpit I bought him for Christmas. We were outside enjoying the rest of the sunshine before it set behind the fluffy clouds that filled the sky. I closed my textbook and glanced at the smile on his face.

                                "Elephants live in Africa and Asia."

                                "Where's Africa and Asia?" he questioned with big gray eyes looking right at me. His hair spilled loose and stopped at his shoulders in perfect golden spiral curls. He wore his favorite Spiderman costume because Superman was in the washer machine with almost every other costume. Costumes were his favorite.

                                "Well hey boo, you don't work today?" Bay'Zell's voice lingered in my direction. King smiled at her but didn't wave because his hands were covered in sand. She walked up the small path of gravel towards the lawn chair I sat in with a smile. I faked a half smile back and shook my head no. Once she was standing in front of me, she quickly let her eyes roam over my sweats and tank top.

                                "What ya'll doin'?"

                                "I was writing a paper and letting King play a little bit. We both need a tan." I chuckled and unintentionally looked at her from head to toe. As annoying as Bay'Zell was to me, I couldn't deny the fact she was extremely pretty. I felt a twinge of jealousy, which wasn't normal, looking at her flawless brown skin. I would never be able to get that dark. She wore a navy blue sports bra and her black yoga pants were low enough on her pelvis to show off Calvin Kline underwear.

                                "Today is my mama's birthday," King announced proudly with his chest poking out and a victorious grin plastered on his lips. Bay'Zell's eyes lit up.

                                "Really? Any plans?"

                                "Mama tell her..." King whispered, retreating back into his shy shell when Bay'Zell leaned down in front of him. He blushed and looked away from her. I couldn't stop myself from laughing at him.

                                "He's excited to help me bake an apple pie. I think it's his favorite too."

                                "Mhm, it is." King chimed in happily. Bay'Zell stood and checked her phone before bringing her brown eyes back onto me.

                                "Do you drink or smoke?"

                                "Neither." I responded as I gathered my papers and placed them on top of the textbook that cost half of my rent. King shook his hands off and looked at me to see me glaring at him. If I hadn't been watching him, I knew he would be digging in his hair with sand on his hands despite knowing it made me mad. He grinned and continued wiping his hands on his costume.

                                "Well I'll be by later, I'm gon' go get my nails done. Do you like chocolate?"

                                "Chocolate is okay."

                                "Mama you like chocolate! I like chocolate too," King didn't know when I wanted to end a conversation but I couldn't get mad at him. He was right, I did like chocolate. I liked chocolate almost more than anything on this planet. Bay'Zell smiled, nodded her head and turned to walk back across the street.