“I missed you, Mama. Don’t leave us like this again, please!” she said, and a tear slid down her cheek.
“Where’s Kevin?” I asked.
“He’s playing video games. Dad gave him a new Xbox, and all he does is sit in the den and play games all day. He barely comes out to eat,” Eva said. She looked at Jeb with questions in her eyes. “Mama, who is that?” she asked.
“This is my friend, Jeb. Do you remember Uncle Channing’s cousin?”
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi,” Eva said with a soft smile. “Yeah, I remember him now.” She led us down a hallway to the den where Kevin was sitting on the sofa, playing a fighting game.
“Hey Mom,” he said, barely looking up. “Mom? What are you doing here,” he yelled when he realized I was really there. He sat the controller down and ran over to me.
“Hey, bud. I’m here to get you, so get your bag and let’s go.”
“Ah, man,” he argued. “Do I have to leave? I was just about to get to the next level,” he whined.
“Afraid so. Your father isn’t here, and I’m not sure when he’s coming back.” I fumed over Rodney leaving a ten and six-year-old home alone all day long to fend for themselves. What was that crazy man thinking? It would be different if they were used to taking care of themselves. Eva was not ready to be responsible for herself and Kevin.
“Awe man,” Kevin’s grumbling brought my attention back to him. He reluctantly turned off the game.
“Go grab your things, and hurry up, Kevin,” I said to him.
Eva already had her bag on her shoulder.
Jeb and I headed back to the living room.
“Does he do this often?” I asked Eva.
“He leaves us here sometimes, but he tells us not to say anything to you or else we’ll get in trouble,” she replied, and I was beyond fed up with their father.
As we waited for Kevin to come back into the room so that we could leave, I told Jeb, “I really do appreciate you being here.”
He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me to him then kissed my forehead. “I’ll be here for you, Tameka. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” was his response and, for some reason, I believed he would really live up to his promise.
Eva walked over and held my hand, smiling up at me. Jeb was winning her over too. Kevin came down the hallway, walking slowly.
“Ready?” I asked him.
“Yes, but what about Dad?” Kevin asked as he shot daggers at his sister with his little eyes. “He told us not to open the door.”
“You let me worry about your father. I’ll deal with him,” I said.
We headed to the front door. As soon as I opened it, Rodney came rushing inside. He took one look at me and yelled, “What the hell’s going on? What are you doing in my fucking house?”
“Language!” I snapped, looking at our children.
“Forget that. What are you doing in my house, Tameka?”
“I’m here to get my children! The real question is, why weren’t you here with them?”
“I was only out for a little while. Why are you always so extra?” he asked.
“Because I care about our children, and I’m taking them home with me now.”
He laughed like a maniac. “You’re not taking them anywhere. It’s my time with them, so you can hang that up!”
“Your time was up the minute you decided to leave our kids home alone. Move out of the way, and consider yourself lucky I didn’t call the police!” I said and started toward the door with my arm wrapped around my children.