"What all do you have to do today?" Raina asked me while we were finishing up preparing breakfast. She was at the stove mixing up pancake mix and I was at the island chopping away ingredients for an omelette.

"I have that meeting today with the Mayor, we're going to the high school Mike teaches at to talk to the students. The press and a few others will be there."

"You nervous?"

"Not really, this past year I've been so focused getting things off the ground, hustling and networking became a habit. So this is something I'm looking forward to. To be able to see and meet some of the kids in our programs."

She smiled. "When was the last time you picked up a paint brush?"

"Honestly I hadn't really been motivated to. I was so focused on inking these partnerships and getting approvals. I didn't think about it much. I was so desperate to make this dream of mine come true, I didn't want to end up going back to work with my pops. So I would only paint when I could."

"I admire your ambition, you're following your heart. Why don't you bring some of your work out for the world to see it? You're talented baby."

"That's something I've been putting off. I'm always questioning what I'm going to do with all of it. I thought about bringing some to the gallery when we open. We'll see." I nodded.

"What about you? What do you have planned for the day? I want to take you out tonight."

"Your mom and I are going to the spa around one. I asked her about it yesterday. Oh and I'll probably stop by the dance studio with Leah to talk about the wedding. —Did you want me to come to your meeting at the school?"

"No you go ahead with mama, she needs this. Thank you for doing it. Oh and since your car is in DC you want to take the G Wagon or the S63 AMG?"

"Hmm, probably the G Wagon, since I never actually drove one. I can hear Mikey now, saying how that's too much for me to handle."

"Aight then, I know you can handle it. Thanks again for this baby."

"You know I love your mother, you don't have to thank me. She's always been so loving and caring towards me. She's so easy to be around and talk to, with her little self." I giggled.

"Aye, watch your mouth." We laughed. "I think I was seven or eight years old when I grew passed her. This small petite woman in a house with two tall ass giants."

"Give me kiss."I added.

She walked over and kissed me, then wrapped her arms around me for a few more.

We finished up breakfast and cleaned the kitchen. I went back upstairs to get ready to go. I had to be at the school by ten o'clock so I needed to get a move on it. It was now eight forty-five.

"You're going to hang around here until you go?"

"Yep, I need to run so I'll probably use your treadmill."

"Aight let me call Mike and see what time he's leaving, I know he like to sleep in on the weekends." I pulled out my phone and dialed.

He picked up and said he was leaving around ten o'clock and I told him I'd see him there. He said he was bringing KJ, and Xan. He wanted his students to meet them. Leah was working.

I was dressed and ready to go. I grabbed my keys walking to the door, with Raina following close behind. Making sure I had everything I needed, I mentally went down the list.

"Here." She handed me my watch.

"Damn, thanks babe."

"You are nervous." She stated while getting a piece of lint off of me and straightening out my tie.

"Maybe a little bit. It'll pass though."

"You got this Punkin, just speak from your heart and remember those kids and everybody else are regular people just like you. Don't stress it."

I nodded.

"You want me to say a little prayer?"

"Yes." I smiled.

She grabbed both of my hands and we bowed our heads. "Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you humble in need of prayer, I would like to first say thank you. Thank you for your grace and understanding. —Lord if you could just be with Adrian and guide him on this day, show him the way through your word. We love you my God as I know you love us. Lord if you could just touch his mind, body and spirit. —Just have your way with him my King. Touch him in a way so he can inspire many today. This is not about him, it's about the children, help him God. So that he's able to help them. Again I thank you father, we are forever grateful for your unmatched and unconditional love. Amen."

"Amen." I exhaled and smiled. "Thank you."

"No more worrying. Just like you told me back when I was in high school about to graduate, just focus on what's in front of you and stop thinking about everything at once."

"You're right babe, I needed to hear this. I got this." I nodded confidently.

"Ok, tell Mikey and KJ I said hi and I will call him later. I love you." She said while hugging and kissing on me.

I responded by slapping her ass with pride. She doesn't realize how much her words and the way she loves me so much means to me. "I love you too, lock the door behind me and you know where the truck keys are. Don't forget your house key when you head out."

"Ok, see you later."

"Aight and text me whenever you can." I said before pecking her lips again before leaving out and closing the door behind me.

I waited to hear the deadbolt lock, then headed over to get in the car.

I got to the school did my speech and interacted with the kids. It was packed, cars were parked outside the parking lot. I reached out to a few of my industry friends and some were able to make it. I was more than thankful.

Sometimes kids need something right in front them to stay motivated. I'm glad I was able to come through for them. I take this very serious, kids need consistency so that's what I strive to be.

The students loved KJ and Xan. They couldn't wait to see him. They said Mike talk about him so much they were anxious to meet him.

The event lasted longer than expected due to the turn out which was fine, that gave Raina more time to help with the wedding plans. Which was coming up at the end of the year.

Raina and my mama had a great time I talk to them earlier on FaceTime. Both of them seemed relaxed.

I went to the store to grab a few items to make dinner at home instead of going out. I've been watching a lot of cooking competition shows lately so I think I'm the shit now. I texted Rai to see what time she was coming since it was getting late, she replied saying she was wrapping it up with Leah now at the studio.

When I was finishing up dinner I heard the door open and a few seconds later Rai came in the house.

"Hey Punkin, I missed you." She sang walking straight to me.

"Mmm, I missed you too babe." I pulled her close to me, loving all over her. Showering her with sweet kisses everywhere I could.

She giggled. "Something smells really good."

"Go check it out and see. I'm trying something a little different tonight." I bit down on my lip smiling at her.

"Ok, be right back let me go freshen up then I'll be back down." She walked away toward the stairs.

"Aight, don't take too long I know how you do."

"Whatever." She replied sticking her tongue out bending over on the stairs twerking."

"I see what kind of day you had at the studio. Aight, watch that." I warned and she laughed prancing up the stairs. Mmm, she just don't know.

We ate dinner, we talked about my day with the kids and the Mayor while we ate. I prepared chicken souvlaki with tzatziki sauce over a bed of wild rice paired with seared broccolini and a sweet potato mash. Not to pat myself on the back but Raina went back for seconds so this was indeed a good day.

"That was amazing. If you want another career change, a chef should be next up."

"Boost me up baby." We laughed. "Thank you, I'm glad you like it."

She got up to clear the table, so I was about to do the same.

"I got it." She gestured for me to remain seated and I did. I watched her as she moved around in the kitchen.

"So your mom and I talked today." She spoke while placing the dishes in the sink and turning the water on.

"How was that?"

"She's hurting but I think that release of anger she had helped. She said she had her mad day and now she's ready to start focusing on her own life. We read some scriptures."

"I'm glad to hear that." I smiled at her.

"She also said she's going away for awhile. She's going on a trip to Paris with your aunts. Then when she get back she's planning a trip to the Middle East, to Jerusalem. I told her I might have to sneak into one of her bags and tag along with her for that one." She laughed.

"She told me about that. I told her to not even think twice about it, just do it."

"Exactly." She agreed while transferring the now clean dishes to the other sink for rinse.

Things were quiet as she continued cleaning. I started thinking about my pops. Honestly I'm conflicted, I want to hear him out. He's always heard me out. It's just when I'm around him I get angry. I've never expected anything close to this from him.

Growing up my pops and I did everything together. He never missed a game, he was there for everything I needed. I remember my prom night, he made it a big deal for both me and Mike. Even though Mike was still new to Atlanta my dad understood he needed something good. So he spared no expense. Mike and I took these two last minute girls to prom. My pops ended up getting us a party bus. We invited the whole varsity team. After prom was over my he rented out an event space and had an after party for us. That's just to name a few things, he made every moment in my life a big deal.

He's always been there for me, but standing beside my wonderful pops was always this great woman. She has been there for both of us, my mother. This infidelity stuff came out of left field. Me not understanding his logic is what's holding me back from having a coherent conversation with him. Everything was so great, then all of a sudden he's cheating.

Yes Grandpa was always hard on him. Hell he still is. I remember growing up around the holidays we would always leave early from family events. It would always be from a disagreement. Honestly over the years a wedge was drawn in my family on my mothers side.

My pops took a lot of sneak disses and jabs from him. I never really got close to my grandpa. I don't liked how he treats my pops. He made him feel like he was less than. I don't even fully know why, because my pops made a really good life for his family.

Perhaps it was that brown paper bag bullshit. The guy my mama dated when she was in college before my pops is who he wanted for her. Lets just say the guy passed the brown paper bag test, by a long shot. —His name was Zachary Donaldson.

Staring at my beautiful dark skin lady put away my mail and now wiping off the counter, —I would never bring her around that type of negativity. There's a reason we've stayed away from that side of the family. My mama didn't sit there and let them continue disrespecting my pops. My grandpa is stuck in his ways so we stop coming around certain family members.

"You ok?" She looked over to me.

"Yeah, I'm more than ok baby." I smiled.

"You're thinking about your dad?" She asked as she grabbed the broom.

My smile faded and I exhaled slightly rougher than I expected.

"It's ok if you are, I know you love him. I know you care about him and I also know there's more to how you're feeling about the situation than you put out."

"Un hun, I do love him, but there's no excuse for him cheating." I shook my head.

"May I say something but you can't get mad?" She challenged.

"Go ahead, I won't." I looked on waiting.

"I sort of pried into your families personal business and asked your mother some questions."

"About?"

"Just you're family growing up and we ended up talking about your grandfather." She peered directly at me waiting for a response. I didn't give her one, I was a little lost for words. I wasn't expecting to ever bring this up.

"You want to talk about it?" She leaned the broom against the counter then came over to sit in front of me at the dining room table.

"Not really much to say about it Rai. I don't talk to him."

She looked at me then spoke. "I'm ok with my dark skin, in fact I love my skin tone."

"I love it too." I finally looked at her again.

"So if you want to talk about it, it won't bother me. That's your grandfathers issues not ours."

I sighed. "I just feel like black people make things harder for black people. This shouldn't even really be a thing anymore. He has never had a legit reason to dislike my pops. —So you don't ever have to worry about him or anybody else who think like that in my family. I will never allow them to say anything to you."

"I'm not worried, beside this is coming from a girl who lived with people who were racists. Plus me being black was their secret fetish. I've heard it all." She assured me.

"Yeah you have, but it's a different feeling when it's coming from your own people. When it's coming from black people who are just a few shades lighter."

"You're right— you think maybe you'll be able to have another talk with your dad again?" She grabbed my hands, I pulled them toward me and kissed hers.

"I don't know, —maybe. I think so. A civil conversation could be a start. I can't say how it will end but I am aware that he's my father and he's not some monster."

"I'm right here if you need me." She reassured.

"I know, —but again Rai I will not make excuses for him cheating on my mama. I will never do that."

She got up and walked over to me and sat sideways on my lap. She wrapped her arms around me and rested her head on my shoulder. That lead her to planting faint kisses on my neck.

"I would never want you to make excuses for that." She whispered softly to me.

We stayed in this position for a few minutes. Just thinking it all over. I honestly never wanted her to know how that side of my family was. That shit is embarrassing and I was never planning to revisit that.

"Come on Munch lets go get ready for bed." I yawned, she nodded then slowly got up walking toward the stairs. I trailed behind.

"I love you baby."

"I love you too Punkin."

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