Read The Summer of Me for Free Online

listening to Rihanna,” Kenae said, putting her earphones back in.
    â€œNice to know you’re excited about the trip, Kenae,” Kenneth said, pulling her earphones out again.
    â€œDad,” Kenae wailed. “Stop doing that.”
    â€œDoing what?” Kenneth teased.
    Destiny watched, taking joy in the easy way Kenneth interacted with his children. Whatever issues lay between them, she had to admit he was a good father to KJ and Kenae. Before Kenae could answer her dad’s question, Destiny interrupted, “Where’s Mary Margaret?”
    Kenneth inclined his head to the left. “She went to the bathroom.” He stepped closer to Destiny. “Go easy on her, Destiny,” he said softly. “She’s anxious about this trip.”
    â€œWhat’s she anxious about?” Destiny asked, though she knew. A part of her was happy the woman wasn’t too confident about the summer.
    â€œShe wants to do right by the kids and make this a great trip for them. It’s important to her, to both of us.”
    â€œWhat do you think I’m going to do to the woman?” Destiny asked, feigning ignorance. Unfortunately, there was too much bad history between her and Mary Margaret for her to fake out Kenneth.
    He looked her up and down, from toe to head. Then he tilted his brow. “You know how to push her buttons; we both know that. I’m just asking that you not do it today.”
    â€œI don’t know—”
    â€œHere she comes now,” he said, interrupting her. “Be nice, Destiny.”
    Destiny watched as Kenneth extended one of his hands and pulled Mary Margaret close to him. “I thought you had gotten lost in there,” he said to his wife.
    Mary Margaret slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “Silly man.” Then she turned to Destiny. “It’s good to see you, Destiny.”
    Destiny didn’t believe her. “Good to see you, too,” she said with a forced smile. She and Mary Margaret tolerated each other to the point that they could be cordial, but Destiny doubted it would get any further than that. It was hard to build a relationship after sharing a man. It was even more difficult when one woman had the babies and the other one had the man. Mary Margaret got the man Destiny wanted but Destiny had his kids and a hold on him that would last their lifetimes. So the women had to deal civilly with each other, if they wanted any peace. She was glad they both did.
    Turning her attention to the kids, Mary Margaret asked, “KJ, Kenae, are you ready to see Los Angeles?”
    â€œI am,” KJ said. “We’re going to the Dodgers game on Friday. When are we going to the Grand Canyon?” He turned to his dad. “Are you still going to get me a video camera so I can film the trip for school?”
    Kenneth tugged on his son’s baseball cap. “Sure, sport. We can pick one out after we get settled.”
    â€œWhat about you, Kenae?” Mary Margaret asked.
    Kenneth tugged on his daughter’s earphones. “Mary Margaret’s talking to you.”
    â€œHi, Mary Margaret,” Kenae said, finally looking up at the older woman.
    â€œAre you ready to see Los Angeles?”
    Kenae nodded. Then she turned to her mother. “Why don’t you come with us?”
    Destiny’s heart warmed. She leaned down and pressed her forehead to her daughter’s. “We’ve talked about this, sweetheart. This trip is for you, KJ, your dad, and Mary Margaret. You’re going to have a big adventure. I’ve seen the itinerary Mary Margaret put together. It’s going to be a great trip.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do all by yourself?” Kenae asked.
    Destiny smiled. “I’ll work on a big surprise for you and KJ when you get back.”
    Kenae’s eyes widened. “A surprise?”
    â€œWhat kind of surprise?” KJ asked.
    Destiny stood straight and rubbed her hands