“For what?”
Savvy sucked her teeth with disapproval. “He claimed he wanted to make sure I made it home safe. He couldn’t stop thinking about me. This man said he wanted me to talk to him as he drives at frickin’ o’clock in the morning.”
“Unh-uh. No, he didn’t.”
“He’s been texting me all day.” Savvy passed Olivia her phone. “Here. Check out all of these messages. I’ve been ignoring him. Looks like I gave my number out to the wrong guy.”
“Dang. He’s persistent.” Olivia finished scrolling through the string of text messages from Kolby and handed Savvy the phone. “He has stalker tendencies.”
“I believe the same thing. He’s getting on my nerves. I’m trying to be nice.” Savvy tucked the phone into her purse.
“If you ignore him long enough, he’ll disappear. At least, I hope he will. Sounds like you picked a winner.”
“Ugh. If only I could turn back the hands of time. I would’ve gone to a different gas station.”
“Or, you would’ve ignored him instead of being mesmerized by a man paying attention to you. So much for being with the Idris look-a-like. You might have to change your number. From what I see in his messages, he’s thirsty and may be hard to shake off,” Olivia warned. “Great shot, Christian.” Olivia clapped her hands.
Savvy sprang from the bleacher. “Woohoo. Go, Christian. Let’s win this game,” she yelled. Her phone buzzed in her purse. She paused to retrieve it. Another text from Kolby popped onto the screen.
I see you and your friend are at a basketball game. I didn’t know you were hanging out again. Call me when you get home.
Astonished, Savvy tapped Olivia on the arm and elevated the phone in front of her face. “Do you see this? He’s already seen the pictures I posted of us. It hasn’t even been five minutes since I put them on there,” she exclaimed.
“Girl. Watch out for him. I don’t like the way he’s keeping tabs on you.” Olivia shook her head.
Without responding to Kolby’s text, Savvy put the phone away.
Olivia’s phone rang. “Hi Malcolm,” she yelled into the phone above the noise of the arena. She made a face at Savvy to show her distaste for him calling. “Yes, they’re winning. Christian is playing great tonight. Whassup?”
Savvy’s cellphone buzzed again. She reached in her purse and peeked at the screen and noticed Kolby’s name again. “Does he ever stop?” she groaned.
Olivia remained on the phone with Malcolm. “Sure. I’ll check on Simone when I bring Christian back to your place. Are you sure the dogs won’t be out when I get there?” Olivia paused and listened. “Okay. I’m warning you. I’m not going through that craziness again.”
Savvy jumped to cheer for the Armadillos. “Great shot, Gavin.”
Olivia ended her call. “Girl. Malcolm dropped Simone off at their place after her counseling session. He said Mariah isn’t doing well. He needs to get her to urgent care. Something about a sinus infection.” Olivia nonchalantly raised her eyebrows. “He wants me to go inside their filthy home to check on Simone. She had a major attitude at the counseling appointment. He thinks it would be good for me to try to have a conversation with her. This child. Lord, help me.”
“Do you want me to follow you there?” Savvy suggested. “I don’t have anything else going on this evening.”
“Naw. It’ll be good for me to have a moment alone with her. Thanks for offering though.”
Half of the audience rose to their feet in a simultaneous cheer as the final game buzzer blared. Olivia and Savvy shouted in joy at the Armadillo’s victory.
Christian beamed with joy from the floor as he and his teammates hugged in celebration. He glanced into the stands where Olivia and Savvy pumped their fists in the air for him.
“They are still undefeated,” Olivia yelled as another parent high-fived with her and Savvy.
“Great game. Thanks for inviting me.” Savvy followed Olivia down the bleachers.
Christian darted in their direction and wrapped his sweaty arms around them. “We did it. We won,” he yelled and jumped around.
“You guys did it,” Olivia exclaimed. “We’re proud of you.”
“Awesome job, Nephew,” Savvy chimed in.
“Hurry and get showered. We need to check on your sister,” Olivia instructed before Christian rushed off to join his team in the locker room.
“Boy, he sure is an excellent basketball player. He’s getting so tall,” Savvy said.
“He’s great in pretty much everything he competes in,” Olivia boasted. “Hey, no need to wait around. I appreciate you coming with me. We’ll catch up later.”
“Cool. Good luck with Simone.”
Savvy checked her phone as she walked to her car. She cringed when she noticed six additional messages from Kolby.
FIFTEEN
Olivia
“Mom. Did you see when I got the rebound on my shot?” Christian bubbled with excitement after they were in the car heading to Malcolm’s apartment.
“I sure did. You rebounded the ball and still made the basket. That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Dennis Rodman has nothing on you,” Olivia cheered.
“Who is Dennis Rodman?” Christian asked with sincere curiosity.
Olivia forgot her son’s era of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Her all-time favorite remained to be, Ervin “Magic” Johnson. “Rodman, nicknamed, The Worm, played for the Spurs, Lakers, Pistons, Mavericks, and the Bulls. He had fierce rebounding skills.”
Christian cracked up laughing. “The Worm? That’s funny, Mom. Who wants to be called a worm?” Christian wiggled his head around.
“Now that I think about it, it is a hilarious name,” Olivia laughed. Christian continued to wiggle around like a worm to keep them entertained.
An NBA player’s excitement after winning a championship couldn’t match Christian’s giddiness after the Armadillo’s victory. Olivia soaked in his joy. A moment of sadness clouded her mind from thinking about them moving away. She swiped the thought out to keep from killing the mood.
“I’m starving, Mom. Can I get a pizza?” Christian begged.
“You mean, may I have a pizza?” Olivia corrected and
