Free BOMAW 1-3 by Mercedes Keyes

thing! I'm in heaven," she finished, entering her kitchen with her daughter behind her. They could hear Isaac talking to his father excitedly as they followed, in addition to another voice mixing in with Victor's and Isaac's. As her daughter entered the house passing her, Sylvia stood at the screen surprised to see Everett bringing up the rear as he introduced himself to Victor. Amid Isaac's happy chatter about his ride, Victor was also excited, asking questions about the bike's style, speed, power, and motor size. The usual male exchange when they engaged in conversations where a souped-up car or motorcycle was the topic of discussion. She was surprised. She hadn't expected him to follow her back across to her house with her daughter present.
    "Who is that?" Crystal asked as the three males stopped outside at the bottom of Sylvia's porch to continue their discussion. Sylvia looked back at her daughter, unsure how to answer. "Um-hm...now I see why you in a hurry for me to get my kids," Crystal accused, her tone with a knowing Black gesture of now I know what's going on.
    "All right now...mind yo' business," Sylvia warned good-naturedly.
    "Um-hm...let me get they stuff. I'on wanna stand in your way." She grinned.
    "Now see, it ain't even like that! He just being nice, gave your child a ride and made his weekend. Ain't nothing else happening...so get that look off yo’ face." Sylvia couldn't keep a straight face as she explained, the grin was more powerful than her words.
    "I ain't saying nothing. I just come to get my kids and I'm off."
    Sylvia nodded in agreement. "Good idea. So get yo’ babies and get to gettin'. And while you at it, get yo’ mind out the gutter and outta my business."
    Crystal was biting the inside of her mouth not to laugh at her mother. "Come on, now, mama...don't make it no mystery. Ain't no big secret, you still young. You look good, and you single...and—he—is—foine!"
    "Would you hush! I ain't thinkin' about you! And I ain't thinkin' about that man!" she denied.
    "Um-hm...can't…think about me...got that man on yo’ mind," Crystal continued to tease.
    "Look...it's time for you to go. Let me help you. Grab that bag, and I'll grab this one. Then you can be on your way! And stop that grinning—looking at me like that!" Sylvia shushed her daughter again, who was laughing out loud, flexing her brows and winking.
    "Okay, mama, anything you say. Just the neighbor being nice. I'll have to thank him." Out the door she went before her mother could say another thing to her. Stepping onto the porch, Crystal gave him a quick, thorough inspection as he looked up at her.
    "Thank you so much for giving my son a ride, hope he didn't drive you crazy," she opened.
    Smiling, Everett shook his head answering, "No problem...any time."
    Crystal again grinned. "Oh, and by the way, my name is Crystal," she introduced herself.
    "Everett…Everett Styles," he returned, looking past her to her mother. Sylvia had a peculiar look about her face. He grinned and winked at her. She thought she would faint on the spot. Crystal looked back at her, simpering. "Well, we gotta get going. Love you, mama, we'll talk to you later." She leaned back and kissed her mother's cheek. Sylvia returned it, then leaned forward and kissed Darren's brow. "I love you, too. Bye, bye, baby...grandma love you." Darren scrunched up his face and grinned. "Isaac! Come give grandma a kiss and hug before you leave here," Sylvia called down to him. He tromped up the porch and obeyed. "I love you, baby." She ended the tight hug and kiss.
    "Me too, grandma...love you...bye!"
    "Your daughter is beautiful."
    "Thank you, and you know what...her inside matches the outside. That's what I'm proud of." Everett looked down at Sylvia as she sat on her side porch steps. He stood leaning against the outside corner of her garage, his ankles crossed as were his arms across his chest. "I get a feeling she's the direct result of her mother. You're a beautiful woman,