The following Saturday, Sandra Tate called him. He was at the shop. Solo Desawn had the day off and Reggie had a doctor's appointment doing the kind of quiet administrative work that accumulated during the week when there was no time for it. He picked up because he always picked up for Sandra. Marcus, she said, I need to see Maya.
Could I take her this afternoon? Just the two of us. Lunch and maybe a movie. Of course, he said. You never have to ask Sandra.
You know that. A pause. Another pause. I also wanted to say something. He waited.
I talked to Gloria. Sandra said, "We talked for a long time, actually, two nights ago. And then I talked to my pastor. She stopped. I've been I've been holding on to something, Marcus.
I know that. I've been holding on to Renee in a way that meant I needed everything around her to stay still, including you. He said nothing, he let her go. That's not fair to you, she said. And it's not what she would have wanted.
I know what she would have wanted. She would have wanted Maya to have a full life. She would have wanted you to have a full life. Her voice bent slightly. It's just very hard to want that and also still miss her as much as I do.
I know, Sandra. Marcus said, "I miss her, too. I know you do. She took a breath. I'd like to meet Olivia.
When you think the time is right. I'm not I'm not promising. I'll be perfect about it. I'm just saying I'm willing to try. Marcus sat in the quiet of his empty shop.
That means a lot, he said. Really? Tell her that she's got big shoes to fill. Sandra said and then immediately said, no, don't tell her that. That was that was the wrong thing.
I'm working on it. You're doing fine. And Marcus said, "I'm not." Sandra said, "But I'm trying. That's all I've got. That's enough," he said.