#tyrique

Tyriq pov

I saw that woman at my daughter's school the other day. She was beautiful! Nice shape, healthy hair, & her voice- but without the attitude...

She was bad though, I'll tell you that!

I want to meet her again but I don't have much free time. Ballet classes for my daughter. Taking care of horses. Making sure my truck still runs good with 300,000 miles. I own a grocery store. On weekends I like to help the people in need- my best friend Nicholas drops by to help from time to time. I rarely see him now since he's married. He told me this was his first time getting married. I was happy as hell for him. He claimed he was in love before, but I never saw the woman. He loved keeping things private.

Today is Saturday- my daughter Lydia has ballet class at three. She's been pressuring about getting new ballet shoes- of course! I couldn't let her practice nor perform in shoes she's had for over a year now. Lydia is five- turning six next week. That will be her birthday present. I don't do much for birthdays. I'm considered a "southern country man" as they say. All I've ever gotten was a "happy birthday" & ONE piece of candy. I was a grateful child growing up & still'am til this day. I don't think I'll ever change.

I really wish Lydia could see a female role model. Meeting a woman during these times will be a challenge. All they want is men with fast cars & houses they can't afford. I just want to meet the woman who loves Lydia & I the way we would love her. I thought I did back in my college days. I guess she was more into other footballers instead of our daughter- & shit even me; like I gave a fuck. Shit, don't get me wrong. I did... I did. But damnit, I was going through so much shit in college. Grades were going A-wall! Girls in & out of the dorm room- because I didn't know how to balance myself.  It was either drugs or sex. & we all know what drugs will do to your ass; also didn't want to get kicked out of football.  So I chose sex. Around three girls a week; can't remember. God was on my side during those days- still is.

My personal time was interrupted by footsteps. It's Lydia in her uniform. Her pink dress was beautiful. Last night I helped her glue diamonds on it to make the dress "prettier"  & make her stand out more from the other girls. It was a challenge for Lydia. It's been a year since I enrolled her into this ballet school. After elementary she goes straight there. Which gives me time to work on my truck & help out at the store.

"You ready to go princess?" I fidget with her dress.

"Uhhuh" she held her pink wand in the air. "I'm going to turn you into a frog." She says with an evil grin. I chuckled. "How am I supposed to take care of you, Lydia?" I grabbed her  lunch bag & her free hand. "My knights can take care of me." She goes. Kids amaze me with their imagination.

The sun beams loudly as the trees swayed. I lifted Lydia into the passenger seat of my truck, accidentally dropping her wand. "My wand!" She cried. Oops! I  bent down, picked it up & examined it. "Looks like you won't be turning me into a frog after all." I giggled. Lydia folded her arms snatching what was left of the broken wand, folded her arms. I jogged around the truck, getting in the driver seat. I started the engine; no response. Again- nothing. My face turned red as I continuously turn the key; over & over.

Ten minutes had passed. Lydia is sweating in her uniform. I'm sweating in my red t -shirt & cowboy jeans.  I sighed- why now? Lydia needs practice & I needed to help the homeless. Why me? Why us...?

A familiar car passes by slowly. I opened the door quickly. "Hey!" I yelled. The person rolls their window down. It's her! I'm embarrassed as hell. I don't want to ask for help so I hesitate. I walked over towards her, Lydia still in the car. I lean down getting a good look at her. "I'm so sorry for this but.. but my truck isn't starting. My daughter has practice. Is there any way you can help?" I asked her; face red like a cherry. She nods. "My daughter is headed to ballet class as well, Ballet For Beauties, right?" She asked. Yes! I shake my head. "Yes that's the one."

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On the way there, Lydia & the woman's daughter are talking & laughing. Lydia puts her wand in the air. "Daddy she's beautiful." Lydia says. "My wand will make you marry her." She continues. I interrupted her imagination by turning her way, giving a smile & THAT look. "We want to be respectful." I smiled, catching a glimpse of the woman as I turn forward.

Lydia smiles & continues her conversation with the little girl.

Our ballet beauties!

                  ______________

The woman parks her car & sits there nervously for a second. "I'll take them." I volunteered. She nods her head. Her hair was glistening with oils; the scent of cocoa. I opened the back door , letting the girls walk freely until we got to the room. "Alright you two," I bent down to their level. "I hope you two have fun." As the girls walk, I tapped the little girls shoulder. "What's your name?" I asked giving her a smile. "Nicole." She runs off with a "Byeeeeeee."

I stood there...

Nicole..

Nicholas told me he knew a little girl named Nicole. Claiming that the woman was trying to pin him down with a baby that HE claimed wasn't his. 

Nicole... Nicholas.... Nicole...

I stood there for a good minute; but was interrupted by a honk. The woman rolled down the passenger window. "You okay?" She yelled. I jogged back to the car. Afraid to even speak. I started to choke on my words. "Can.. umm are you able to take me to Lydia's Dairy? Not too far from here." My southern accent escaped. "Sure I don't have much to do anyway. Figure this could could up from the other day. I'm y/n by the way." She smiled. Hands & eyes still focused on the road. 

            __________________

It's currently four thirty & I haven't even set up yet. I turn towards the woman. "Thank you... a lot. I'm doing a help the homeless program today. Would you like to stay?" I asked her. This woman gave me a ride to two destinations. You think I want her to leave right now? Even though assumptions are running through my head, I still want to get to know her. This could be our first date; this WILL be our first date. I stare at her. Her cheeks are red.

"Yes" she says.

Watching this egotistical thick sculled Aries man swoon for this charming Pisces princess…

I hate it but I love it. She absolutely deserves better and CAN DO BETTER than Tyrique. And will. But for now this toxic romance has me in a choke-hold.