I didn’t waste no time getting back into my car and on the road to Hartville. For one thing, I didn’t want to run into Mac and Millie. They was old, but they was good at recognizing when somebody was in distress. And I was as distressed as I could be.

When I got to Betty Jean’s street, she and the boys was waiting for me on her front porch. Just seeing them lifted my spirits. When I got close enough, they all started hugging and kissing on me. “Daddy, what you bring us?” Daniel asked, pulling on my arm. He was four and a half now, and the only one who looked like me. Jesse was almost two and a half, and Leon had turned a year old back in September. They both had Betty Jean’s light skin and keen features.

“I got a load of stuff in the car. I’ll bring it all in after I rest up and eat some supper,” I said.

“Baby, come on in. I already got a tub of warm soapy water ready for you to soak your feet,” Betty Jean told me.

“Did you bring us some money?” Jesse asked as he patted my pocket. I doled out money every time I visited. But one of the kids, or Betty Jean, asked me the same question every time I came.

“Yeah, I brung money.” My voice sounded so tired, and I was, physically and mentally. I gently pushed my sons to the side and dropped down on the couch like a sack of potatoes. I looked around the neat, clean-smelling living room. Betty Jean had very good taste, so the furniture was even nicer than what me and Joyce had.

The boys piled up on the couch beside me, punching and pinching each other to see who’d sit the closest to me. As usual, being the baby, Leon started bawling. The older two backed off and let him flop down in my lap. Daniel and Jesse scooted as close as they could on each of my sides. We gave our sons equal amounts of discipline, guidance, and love because we wanted them to grow up and be responsible adults. The only thing I hoped was that they wouldn’t be too much like me. I prayed that they’d marry women who’d be enough for them. Then they wouldn’t have to do what I was doing. Keeping up with two lives was so stressful, some days I didn’t know if I was coming or going.