“I’m cool surprisingly. Let’s hope it stays that way. I’m about to head inside and see what I have to clean up now. My appointment with Dr. Frances isn’t until four. You and Derrick have an amazing time in Caicos. Celebrating ten years together ain’t nothing slight. I love you and will see you when you get back.”
“Love you, too. Text me if you have a flare up before I get back. I’ll try and fly back early.”
“Nope. I have my parents. Enjoy your time. Toodles!” I said hanging up. I appreciated her concern damn near twenty-four seven, but I didn’t need her to babysit me. I could function on my own.
Sighing deeply, I finally climbed out the car with the gifts I brought back from Milan. One thing I knew was certain, they were going to make my father’s injury seem small. They never wanted me to worry. In their eyes, they were still the ones calling the shots when that was nowhere near the case. I’d been head of the Afor family since I branched out and took over the financial burden.
I took that stroll from my car to the front door and felt like I walked a catwalk. When I upgraded my address, I did theirs as well. They lived in a miniature version of my mansion except they were on a different side of town. Dew Valley was the name of their neighborhood, and it was quite diverse. Their neighbors seemed to love them.
Sticking my key in the door, I turned the locks and entered. The smell of Nkwobi hit my nose immediately. My father must’ve been in the mood to drink and watch the game for my mother to cook that. It took forever to stew but it was so good and went well with a few beers.
“Mama, it’s Cheyonne!” I yelled as I stepped through the foyer.
She came around the corner wearing a smile that stretched from ear to ear. Her reaction was the same every time she saw me. I smirked as her short self walked toward me with her arms extended. I bent down and gave her a hug. I naturally had a full ten inches over this lady and the heels I wore gave me an extra six. I was looking down at her most times I visited.
My mother was a short, dark skinned woman with features much like mine. The only difference was, she had a lot of junk in her trunk and her thighs matched. Being curvaceous, with long pretty hair that flowed down her back, and breast that were just as perky, Chinara kept the women in the Springs upset at her age. Obasi didn’t let a soul try her or him for that matter. He was very possessive when it came to my mother.
“You look so good, sweetheart. God, you are beautiful, Che-Che,” she complimented.
“I look just like you Mama. You don’t have to overdo it. Where’s Dad? I have him a gift as well. Here’s yours,” I handed over the small package and her cheeks were hiked even higher from before. Gifts were her love language.
“He’s on facetime with your Uncle Kalu in the family room watching the game. Your cousin Ekon is playing. I thought y’all would’ve ran into each other while y’all were over there.” My cousin Ekon was a professional soccer player but when my family discussed it, they labeled it as football. We were close but our traveling schedules grew us apart.
“He’s playing in Madrid, Mama. I was in Milan. Those are two different places. When are they coming to the states? I’d love to kick it with him and Ifama. All he told me was he was getting money and can’t stop right now,” I said rolling my eyes.
I followed the smell of the stewed meal to the kitchen and began to make a hefty bowl. There was no denying how much I missed my mother’s cooking. Having to watch what I ate was no longer a priority.
My father was sought after once I had my helping. He was found in the family room like my mother stated with his feet up enjoying his time alone. I smirked at how comfortable he was. He noticed me as soon as I stepped into the room completely. His eyes said what his mouth couldn’t. My parents treated me as if I was some fragile rare being that only they had access to.Obasi gave everything he could before his injury and spoiled was an understatement for me even if I didn’t have the latest.
“Hey Dad,” I said lightly jogging over to where he was sitting.
“Baby girl, why didn’t you say you were coming over? I would’ve had your mama cook something other than Nkwobi.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I won’t be staying too long. I have to go see Dr. Frances in a few hours anyway. I brought you back something.”
I took a seat in the recliner next to his and handed the small bag over. He wore a grin the entire time he rummaged through it. It wasn’t nothing but a Cartier watch. He’d begun to complain about his last one which meant he was ready for a new one. My parents were so spoiled, but it made me happy knowing they look to me for the treatment and no one else. I loved them dearly. Finally opening the box, his eyes lit up as they rested on the watch.
“You must’ve known I was in need of a new one. That last one just as raggedy now. The face keeps falling off,” he voiced.
“Well, I’m glad I could help with that. Now, where is the doctor’s summary of your last visit?” I didn’t come directly over when I landed because I was dog shit tired and really needed to rest. However, this wasn’t something he could hide any longer.
His smile dropped as soon as that left my lips. My parents knew what I was here for, and it wasn’t to come sit around and hold good laughs. If this was a phone call, he’d be telling me everything I wanted to hear right about now. He had no way out of this speaking that we were face to face.
“Give him a break, Che-Che. He just got to feeling better,” my mother spoke, walking through the door with a bowl of Nkwobi for my father. She replaced the empty one that sat next to him on the table.
“You can stop trying to cover for him, Mama, because if something really is wrong, I’m the one you’re turning to. Where are the papers, Dad?”
“I am fine, Cheyonne. Don’t come over here nagging me.”
“I believe you and if you say it’s nothing then showing your summary should be nothing as well. Mama, where is it?” I asked.
There was a stack of papers on the coffee table along with some mail. I quickly picked it up and flipped through them. It took me little to no time to find what I was looking for. I skimmed through shaking my head the entire time. He really wanted me to let this shit go and I wasn’t, not until I knew for certain it was nothing more than a bruise.
“You better be glad it wasn’t serious, Dad. Stop trying to do things I hired people for. You and Mama are not spring chickens so stop acting like it. Are you in any pain when you walk or anything?” I inquired.
“No baby girl. Sit down and stop worrying so much. You’re going to have a flare up doing so. Relax your nerves for once.”
“I’ll relax when you stop doing things that cause me to worry. Sit, Mama, and enjoy the game. I’ll tidy up around here. The cleaners won’t be here until Wednesday.” I was lowkey annoyed with them, but I didn’t mind helping.
