A Weekend Affair Read Online Free

feeling up to it. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll see what I can do. I’m due a royalty check in a few days, so I might be able to swing it.”
    â€œAnd what you can’t cover, I’ve got the rest. As far as you not feeling up to it, all I’m asking you to do is show up. I’ll handle everything else.” I wasn’t giving her the option of backing out.
    The only other issue left to address was who was going to watch her kids for the few days she was away, being that her childcare options were very limited. She had very few family members in her area, and the ones she did have were either not reliable or were not the most altruistic. Any help she received always came with conditions. And she definitely wasn’t going to ask Malik to watch the kids, especially because he was staying with his side ho.
    â€œShell, I hate to bring this up, but the kids—”
    â€œYou already know,” she replied, cutting me off. “I’ll have to ask Renee, and there’s no telling what she’ll say or what she’ll want in return.”
    I shook my head in disgust. I couldn’t understand how a grandmother could treat her own grandchildren so callously. Then again, her mothering skills left a lot to be desired. Shell’s relationship with Renee was strained at best, estranged at worst. But considering the alternatives, Renee was her best bet. Despite her shortcomings, Leianni and Hassan adored her.
    â€œWell, ask her anyway. You’re taking this trip no matter what,” I stated firmly.
    â€œYes, Mom,” she laughed. Shell knew better than to argue with me.
    As luck would have it, Renee was in an agreeable mood and said she would watch the kids. Of course, she wanted some cash to do it, but it was a small price to pay for Shell’s peace of mind.
    Fast-forward and here I was, the evening before the trip. I had some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, so I made sure that, aside from my toothbrush and some other essentials, I was packed at least two days prior. I took a nice hot shower around nine o’clock, planning to go to bed a bit earlier than usual since I had a very early flight.
    Being a chronic insomniac, sleep was precious to me, so imagine my annoyance as I was awakened in the middle of the night by someone obnoxiously banging on my door. My annoyance quickly turned to sheer revulsion when I looked through the peephole seeing who it was. For two months, Daniel had actually stayed true to his word. That was . . . until now. He was pleading for me to let him in. I was afraid someone was going to call the police, so I reluctantly complied.
    â€œWhat do you want, Daniel?” I asked, clearly vexed at him for interrupting what little sleep I had gotten.
    â€œI need you,” he slurred, trying to hug me. He smelled like a distillery. “You’re all I have left.”
    I backed away from him, rubbing my palms down the front of my face. “Daniel, I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re not together anymore. Ergo, you don’t have me.” My eyes were beginning to burn from lack of sleep, only adding to my irritation. “I’m really tired, so whatever you have to say, please just say it and go.”
    â€œG, I lost my job. You’re the only good thing I have left in my life.” He fell to his knees, tears in his eyes.
    I sighed knowing I was probably about to make a huge mistake. “Daniel,” I said, reaching my hand out to him, “please get up.”
    Sometimes I was a big softy, and right now, I was having one of those moments.
    He took my hand, slowly getting to his feet, stumbling slightly. “I don’t know what to do now, G.”
    I led him into the living room over to my oversized black velvet touch couch.
    â€œJust relax, while I make you some coffee so we can talk,” I said walking into the kitchen.
    I wasn’t a coffee drinker myself, but I always kept some on hand