“Aren’t you the same woman who told me, ‘You know I am a fighter. You don’t expect me to fight for you? Why not? I had you first.’ Ain’t that what you said?”

Aisha interrupted our soon to be battle and broke the ice a little when she pulled our hands together. She scooted around to my other side, holding me by the left hand. I was in the middle. “Look, we are a family. Look at our shadows.”

People turned and looked at us in approval. “What a nice-looking family,” an older black lady said.

“Thank you; I’m fighting to keep it together.”

“That’s what you are supposed to do young man. And you keep fighting.” She pointed at me.

“Come on. Let’s take a selfie,” Aisha suggested. Kyra heaved a sigh, but then gave in. We took several selfies with my phone, and we did look like a family, a happy family at that. She even began to smile a bit.

“Text me that picture,” she said. I knew she was going to put it on the Gram. I didn’t care though. I wasn’t lying or sneaking around.

As the evening wore on, we played games, rode a few rides, and shared an elephant ear. Later, I won—fair and square—a black and white furry horse and gave it to Aisha, who seemed to be having enough fun for me and Kyra put together.

“I’m tired,” Kyra announced. We finally found an empty bench for her to rest on. She looked on as I taught Aisha some Tai Chi moves. I had a black belt, and she made me promise to teach her everything I knew.

“Hiya!” She chopped at my arm. “I won’t have to worry about anybody bullying me!”

“That’s my girl!” I high fived her.

At the merry-go-round, Kyra was trying to pay for the rides. “Don’t even try it, Kyra. You taking shit a little too far now.” I pulled out a knot of cash. “I got this.”

“You never told me where you get all of your money?” Kyra’s nostrils flared. “You always manage to evade the subject. What exactly is your hustle? I swear I don’t even know you anymore.”

“You would know me if you hadn’t distanced yourself.” I thought of the money Nina and I stole and how we’d been living off that money for a while. “If it would make you feel better, I’ll tell you. I do some private contracting. You forgot that I am a cop. I have a few clients,” I said offhandedly. That was partially truth. I had worked with Trae and Kay against the Chinese mob. I was a cop who broke the oath.i caught