by Zuri Day
“Harold, I have to run. Nice talking to you, buddy. See you soon.” He hung up the landline and returned the call to the real estate agent from his cell. “Larry, talk to me.”
“Sold!”
“Ha! She liked it, huh?”
“Are you kidding? She loved it.”
Nick stood and walked to the window. The smile on his face could have replaced the sun. Having worked with Sam on the CANN Isles projects, he’d gained valuable insight into her tastes and design aesthetics. He knew she’d love the high ceilings, the myriad of windows and the open layout. Everything installed was high-end, yet there was enough left unfinished for Sam to stamp it with her signature style. He couldn’t wait to see what she did with the place. Not that he felt she’d invite him over. But he’d have to go there to pick up Trey. The child that he never thought he wanted was becoming ever more intertwined in his life, and either directly or indirectly leading him toward a certain destiny. And though he wasn’t quite ready to admit it, even to himself, Sam’s stock was rising, too.
Later that night, as he was thinking about her, Sam called.
“Are you sure you didn’t have anything to do with selecting that house?” she asked.
“Why would you think that?”
“The backyard is a boy’s paradise.”
“I heard there was a rock-climbing wall,” was Nick’s noncommittal answer. “I think Larry also mentioned that it was open concept as well.”
“We... Trey loves the house.”
“Great. I’ll put in an offer tomorrow.”
The home had already been purchased but Nick had to follow the charade all the way through.
“I’m still grappling with the fact that you’re buying the house.”
“I understand. But it’s an investment for Trey. When he becomes an adult he’ll have a place to stay, or an investment opportunity. If the market continues to move in a favorable direction and the city expands outward, the price of that home could double or triple in the coming years.”
“It’s an amazing gift for him, Nick. Having a home and with it financial stability at such a young age. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nick got the impression she wanted to say more. But she didn’t.
“Like I said, I’ll get with Larry tomorrow to put in an offer. When is the lease up on your condo?”
“Month after next.”
“Will that be enough time for you to get the home ready?”
“I think so, if I can get the right help.”
“CANN has a healthy Rolodex of contacts—electrical, flooring, installation, landscaping. We have established accounts within all of construction. I’ll give you a card to get whatever you need.”
Again. Silence.
“For Trey.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“I’ll be speaking with my attorney later this week, to have him draw up the papers we discussed.”
“You mean that you demanded?”
“Demanded is a rather harsh way of putting it, don’t you think?”
“Do I have a choice in whether or not to participate?” Nick didn’t have a comeback. “As I thought. I believe demand is perfect.”
“Sam...”
“It’s okay. I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Listen, I don’t want the legalities of my involvement in Trey’s life to become a problem between us.”
“It won’t. I understand why you’re doing what you’re doing.”
“But you don’t agree with it.”
“I wish it wasn’t necessary but considering the circumstances and not knowing what tomorrow will bring, I guess it is.”
Nick stretched out on the couch, feeling a strange yet definite comfort having Sam’s voice in his ear.
“The document will only outline what we previously discussed. I want you to feel comfortable with what you’re signing. So I’ll have a draft version sent over to you before we lock in the wording. If you find a problem, let me know. We’ll work it out. The attorney drafting this is Coleman Hughes. I can send his number as well, so you can ask any questions you have directly.”
“I appreciate that.”
“See how easy life is when we get along?”
“Bye, Nick.”
Said sternly yet softly, in a way that made Nick feel all warm and sticky inside.
“Bye, Sam.”
Nick watched a bit of television before retiring to bed. He lay awake for a long time, thinking about his dating life, trying to recall the women who’d most affected his life. There’d been more than a few but for the life of him Sam’s was the only face that came to mind.
Twenty-Three
Sam’s professional life was in chaos but thanks to Nick, the personal side was easy breezy. Diving into Trey’s home’s renovation brought the joy she felt these days. As for her son, she’d never seen Trey so happy. Every afternoon after preschool when they went to the home, he was out of his seat almost before the wheels stopped turning. The backyard was already his unspoken domain. The construction team had surprised both of them with a customized wood-and-steel fort-styled playground with holes for play shootouts and an enclosure to take cover. There was a slide and swings and beyond those, a sandbox. Behind it was a mini-trampoline. Sam was sure that Trey could live out there until he was a teenager and except for meals and bathroom breaks be perfectly fine.
“Sam!”
Danielle’s voice bounced throughout the largely empty rooms.
“In the bedroom!”
“Which one?” Danielle said, with a laugh.
“Master.”
Danielle stepped into Sam’s favorite space. “Ohmygoodness! Look at your chandelier and ceiling fan combo. Just like you wanted. Where did you find it?”
“What I envisioned wasn’t out there. I had it designed.”
“Looks like it cost a fortune. Are the blades glass?”
“It’s the next level up from PC, polycarbonate plastic. It’s lighter and more durable than glass.”
“I love the shape, like a sexy octopus.”
“Now that you mention it, there is a resemblance.”
“The way the crystals sparkle and play off the shiny stainless steel is just stunning. It’s like magic. Every time I come over there’s something beautiful and new.”
Sam slid her hands into her jeans back pockets and looked around. “I have to admit, it’s all coming together nicely.”
“Nicely is an understatement. Sam, this place is amazing. It’s perfect for you and Trey. Does it have a dimmer?” Sam nodded. “For those oh-so-romantic nights.”
“With who, the hero from my latest Reese Ryan?”
“No.” Danielle laughed at Sam’s recent fixation with romance novels and her new favorite author. “Your baby daddy. I don’t know when you’re going to stop acting like a virgin and holding this all-or-nothing position. You love him.”
“I never said that.”
“Don’t have to.” Danielle spread her arms to take in the room. “Obviously he feels some kind of way about you. He’s not just buying any woman a house like this.”
“This house belongs to Trey.”
“Son might own it but the mama runs it. Come on, Sam. Stop splitting hairs with the fact. Nick bought this place for you. He may not be ready for a relationship on your terms but love is a verb. The verbiage here is pretty awesome. Keep being stubborn and somebody else might snatch up that beautiful black king. Take a chance with your heart and let life flow!”
Sam kept the chain around her heart firmly in place by ignoring everything Danielle said. Easy for her to think life clear cut. She and Scott had dated off and on for years before tying the knot. Danielle had no idea what it was like t
o have your mind blown and body scorched by a lover like Nick, to be in the company of someone brilliant and witty and sexy and strong, and know that at any moment it could be over. That someone he felt was more beautiful or exciting could come along and take away his breath.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, when she didn’t hear from him for a week and then the talk, when he made his preference for the single life abundantly clear, Sam tried to cut Nick from her heart. The longer she went without him, the deeper her feelings grew. It felt that if she ever again allowed herself a taste of him without promise, it would be like gambling with air.
Later that evening back at the condo, Sam was in the middle of a rare act—cooking. Trey had requested tacos, the one dish she’d mastered. He preferred hers to those from a drive-through. The day Trey shared this observation Sam had felt like a Michelin chef.
“Alexa, play nineties hip-hop.”
Though Sam hadn’t been alive when these songs were released, Sam’s father Marcus was a die-hard nineties hip-hop head. It was the soundtrack of her life through high school and beyond, along with today’s popular pop, neo-soul and a little R&B. While bobbing her head to the beat, Sam poured oil into a stainless-steel skillet. She crumbled up a couple pounds of ground beef, added it to the oil, then began chopping onions and peppers to add to the mix. She’d just reached for a jar of diced garlic when the doorbell rang. No one ever came to her house uninvited. Who in the heck could it be?
She quickly grabbed a towel and wiped her hands as she walked to the door. Nick? What’s he doing here? And what’s he brought with him? She opened the door and verbalized those thoughts directly.
“There is an explanation. Can I come in?”
“Sure. You probably texted me but I was in the kitchen and didn’t have my phone with me.”
“No, I didn’t, but I couldn’t help it. I got so excited about what I brought over that I headed out of the door without thinking to call.”
“What could be that impor—”
“Daddy!” Trey bounded out of his bedroom and into the arm that Nick had free. He placed down the large box he carried and scooped up his son. “What’d you bring me?”
“Who said what I have is for you?”
“It’s mine, Daddy!” Trey said, laughing. “You never bring Mommy anything.”
“Trey, Nick brings you goodies because you’re his son.”
“So? You’re my mom!”
Sam locked eyes with Nick. “Kids.”
“Gotta love them.” Nick pulled the bag open. “Actually, son, this is for your mom.”
“Really?” Nick had thought to bring a gift for her? Sam’s heart fluttered.
“Well...in a way.”
Nick reached inside the large bag and pulled out an equally sizable box.
“What is it, Dad?”
Nick’s eyes warmed as he looked at Trey’s cherubic upturned face, his expression one of wonder and awe.
“Something pretty amazing.”
All eyes were on the box as Nick pulled a cutter from his slacks pocket and cut the box top. He tossed protective bubble wrap to the floor, then lifted out a silver-colored head and torso with a childlike face.
Sam squinted her eyes. “Is that an r-o-b-o-t?”
Trey gasped. “It’s a robot!”
Her eyes widened. Had his spelling capabilities grown that much?
“R. O. B. O. T!”
Yes, they had.
“The Academy is one of the best preschools in the nation,” Nick said. “I thought you knew.”
He pulled the bottom portion of the machine out of the box and now connected several wires before attaching the two parts together.
“Is it a robot, Dad?”
“Yes, but more specifically this...” He pulled a remote from the box and tapped a button. Lights began to flicker. The eyes of the robot lit up a bright blue.
“It’s Ven.” He tapped another button. “Ven, say hello to Trey.”
There was a short pause before the robot turned to where Trey stood wide-eyed. “Hello, Trey.”
The voice was not the electronic, robotic monotone Sam expected, but that of a boy who sounded about Trey’s age.
If possible, Trey would have jumped out of his skin. “Mom! He said my name! He talks! He said my name!” He took a step to approach him, then stopped, a bit unsure.
“It’s okay, Trey. Ven is very friendly. In fact, in Danish, ven means friend.”
“Can I touch him?”
“Sure, come on over.” Trey walked up to the machine that stood slightly higher than the taller-than-average four-year-old. “Hold out your hand and say hey.” Nick sniffed the air. “Is something burning?”
“Oh, shoot! The meat.” Sam ran from the room.
Nick hollered after her. “Did I interrupt dinner?”
Trey tugged Nick’s hand. “Dad, we were talking to Ven!”
“Hang on, son.” Nick walked into the kitchen in time to see Sam scraping the contents of a skillet into the sink.
“What’s that?”
“Before the doorbell, it was ground beef. Now it’s burnt garbage.” Sam flicked the garbage disposal switch. “Dang it! The one dinner Trey likes that I know how to fix and I mess it up.”
“What were you making?”
“Tacos.”
“It’s my fault. I’m sorry.”
“Daddy!”
Sam looked over the bar counter at Trey’s impatient face. “It’s okay. You’d better finish assembling Trey’s gift.”
Nick pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. “Okay,” he said, walking back to where Trey stood next to the robot with remote in hand.
He nodded toward the robot but spoke to Trey. “Talk to him.”
“What do I say?”
“What do you normally say when you meet someone new?”
“Nice to meet you?”
“Okay. Try that.”
Trey looked at Ven. “Nice to meet you.”
The robotic arm began to move. Trey gasped, then giggled with delight as the arm slowly raised until the rubberized steel hand was perpendicular to his waist. The mouth moved rhythmically. “Nice to meet you.”
“Wow!” Trey threw his arms around Nick’s legs. “Thank you, Daddy!”
Sam looked at Nick, as impressed as her son. “Where on earth did you get this?”
“Denmark. It’s the next frontier of Breedlove Bionics.”
“When did the company get into bionics?”
“They didn’t. Noah and I did.” He shared how similar technology had helped Noah through a health crisis. The twins had been so impressed that they started their own bionics company and hired personnel to design cutting-edge products.
“Last year, when the world changed and America found millions of children home from school and largely isolated, the group began toying with the idea of robots to replace the schoolmates they could no longer interact with physically. Video games are great, but nothing beats one-on-one interaction.”
“I’d say. It’s almost human.”
“The wonders of AI.”
“Daddy, can Ven and I go play?”
“No, honey. We need to run out and get you something to eat. Or I can have something—” The doorbell rang. Sam looked at Nick. “Delivered.”
He began walking toward the door. “Mind if I get that?”
Sam simply crossed her arms. Nick opened the door, had a brief conversation with whoever was on the other side of it and returned with a large bag of something smelling delicious.
“What’s that, Daddy?”
“Tacos.” He winked at Sam. “Your favorite.”
“Yippee! Mama, can Daddy stay for dinner?”
Two pairs of identical eyes fixed on Sam. There was only one right answer, yet it took several seconds to
push it through her lips.
“Sure.”
Trey grabbed Nick’s hand and began pulling him toward the dining table. “Let’s eat.” He reached his seat and turned. “Ven!”
“Coming!” The robot rolled across the hardwood floor. It stopped beside Trey.
“Sit down!”
The robot did, except there was no chair. It toppled over. Everyone laughed.
“It’s a prototype,” Nick offered. “Needs more work.”
“If you pull out the food, I’ll grab dishes and pour drinks.”
“You got it.”
Sam entered the kitchen feelings all sorts of ways. The scene was too comfortable, too homey, too much of what she wanted but knew could never be. She gritted her teeth, ready to pull and lock emotional bars around her heart. Then she heard Danielle.
Take a chance with your heart and let life flow.
Might as well, Sam decided. Life was heaven whenever he was around and close to hell without him. Right then she determined to stop living in the future and enjoy what happened now. An image of what could happen flashed into her mind and caused her walls to constrict. Nick had brought Trey a playmate. She was in love. Maybe it was time to let Nick be her boy toy again.
Twenty-Four
Something shifted after the night filled with tacos, laughter and Ven. Nick and Sam settled into a comfortable co-parenting flow, centered on their shared love and adoration for Trey. They began spending more time together, the three of them, at least once a week. The two who’d started out as lovers now began getting to know each other and becoming friends. Sam invited Nick to check out the ongoing new home renovation. Nick invited Sam out for horseback riding. Sam invited him to the condo for tacos she’d cooked. That night, Nick helped her stack the dishwasher before settling on the couch to watch an animated feature. Trey fell asleep before the movie ended. Nick and Sam watched it until the end. Afterward it felt totally natural to carry Trey into his room and tuck him into bed and when he turned, having Sam leaned casually against the wall watching them was the perfect portrait.
