The Last Fall

My Same Mistakes

CHERYL's POINT OF VIEW

"So, why haven't we seen Shemar in like....a week?" Caiya asked me.

I had all of my kids in the car together. I just wanted to get out, spend some time with them all and talk about a few things. So, what better cold, sweet treat to talk over is there when I know one of the best snow cone places nearby? None at all.

"See, that's one thing that we all need to talk about. There's a few things we need to talk about but you must wait until we get there, please." I told all of them. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw Dana was preoccupied by watching the different trees go by.

I smiled.

"Why can't you just tell us now, Ma? No need to wait. Did you two break up?" Ciyle asked me from the backseat in his newly formed deep voice. He's going through that stage apparently....

"Mommy will explain all of that but...when we get there. There's a reason as to why I'm doing all of this, okay?" I asked all of them.

"I guess we understand?" Caiya said as she looked over at me from the passenger seat. "I mean, where are we even going? Can I ask that? Looks familiar around here though."

I smiled and quickly looked over at her. "Good thing that you are recognizing your surroundings. We're almost there."

———————

"Really, Ma?" Caiya asked me with a small laugh as we all got out of the car. "Bethpages' Best Ice?" She said as she stared over at the sign.

"Yep. Remember back when you and your brother were...whew, I don't even remember how young but your Father and I brought you guys here quite a few times. Bethpages, New York wasn't too bad of a drive. Just past Queens and so, we took a few "adventures" with you guys here. You two enjoyed it." I said as I walked over towards Dana's door and started taking her out of her seat. Cai and Ciyle were all standing behind me.

"I don't...even remember any...of this." Ciyle said as he looked around at the many people eating snow cones at tables outside.

"Of course you don't. You were like 4." I said as I stood Dana up on her feet. "Okay Dana. Grab Mommy's hand. Let's go. Come on guys." I said as I watched Dana grab my hand and next, we all started walking towards the place.

I looked over at Ciyle next to me and smiled at my boy. "Do you think that you know which flavor you want?" I asked him as I placed my hand on the back of his head. He was getting so tall already. Time is flying so fast.

"Uhm, I don't know. Maybe like...green apple or something." He said as he pushed his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders.

"Come on. You've gotta mix things up. Try new things. That's the same kind you wanted back then too." I said as I stopped walking, picked Dana up and placed her on my hip. Baby girl was walking too slow.

"I did?" He asked shockingly. "I didn't even know." He said as he lightly laughed. "What about you, Cai? What are you gonna get? I'm guessing anything with the name Justin stuck to you. I'm sure that you'd love sucking on that." Ciyle said to her.

"And I'm sure that you'd like to suck on something like that too. Gay ass." Caiya quickly said.

"Woah. Woah...thats-...Nope. Don't start. Very inappropriate." I told the both of him.