“Daddy, I have to use the bathroom,” Eazy’s voice interrupted them.

“I’ll stop in a little bit, big man. Can you hold it?” he asked.

“Noooo,” Eazy replied, as he began to squirm.

“He can come inside. There is a bathroom right inside the lobby,” she said. She popped open her door. “Thank you for the ride. You don’t have to worry about getting me home or anything. I can call a cab or an Uber or something.” Alani had no idea how she would get home. Her accounts were overdrawn, and she didn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. Every dime she had was going into the burial of her family, but no way could she infringe further on this man’s time. He was nice enough, just bringing me all the way out here, she thought. She climbed out of the car and Ethic exited with Eazy.

“I’ll be right back, Bella. Lock the door and don’t open it for anybody,” he said.

“Dad, I’m not a baby,” Bella protested, as she placed her earbuds into her ears.

Ethic didn’t need the reminder. He saw her growing and changing every day, but to him, she would always need protecting.

Alani could see Ethic’s disposition change and she smiled, slightly, as she closed her door. “Don’t worry. All girls go through that phase. What is she? Twelve? Thirteen?” They crossed the parking lot and Ethic looked back at the car.

“She’s 12. How did you know?” he asked.

“She’s just at the age where you’re no longer the center of her universe. All dads get hit with the pre-teen curse,” she chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’ll pass. She’s just looking for some independence.”

Eazy ran ahead of them and opened the door for Alani.

“Ladies first,” Eazy said, with a toothless smile, as he extended his hand for her to walk by.

“Ohh, so you’re raising a little gentleman I see,” she said, astonished. She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thank you. You are quite the charmer.”

“He knows when to turn it on… that’s all,” Ethic said, with a smile that was charming all on its own. Alani drank him in. He was dark, brooding, and mysterious, as he stood before her. He was perfection on one side, handsome with the perfect jawbone and skin so black, so smooth that he looked like a work or art. Then, there was the opposite side, damaged and scarred, but filled with so much character that Alani, instantly, wondered what story accompanied the flaws. It was like God had molded him too perfectly and decided halfway through the process to even things out. There had to be balance in the world, and a man that looked as wonderful as Ethic’s good side would be nothing but trouble without a little something to humble him.