The front door opened, revealing Lake’s crying mother.
“Mom?”
Both Lake and Ayanna froze. Ayanna immediately let go of Lake and ran towards the crying older woman with Lake in tow. Without a word, Mrs. Pavia pulled Ayanna into a hug. Although confused, Ayanna let the older woman cry on her shoulder, occasionally patting and caressing the older woman’s back.
A few minutes later, Ayanna and Mrs. Pavia were quietly sitting on the black leather couch of the living area while Lake went to fetch a glass of water.
“So, would you like to tell us what happened?” Lake asked, handing the glass of water to his mom. He sat on Ayanna’s right so the female was in between Lake and his mom.
“We fought,” Mrs. Pavia began, her cries subsided. “I and your father did.”
“Again.” Lake deadpanned. He grit
