We ate, chatted, joked. There were questions about my work and my lack of taking vacation.
To others looking in, they would believe I was a visitor—a person who didn’t belong. Their beautiful dark skin was a stark contrast to my very white flesh. But I learned a long time ago, blood didn’t make family—love did.
And as I looked around the table, listened to the laughter, see the mirth on each and every face, I felt love. I knew the room brimmed with love and I couldn’t be happier for the family I had been blessed with.
Most orphans didn’t have it this good.
Eventually, it was time for my brothers to go. Malik ran out to his car for some aspirins.
“Take one before bed.” He shoved the bottle into my pocket when I walked him to the door. “I didn’t want mom to see me giving you these. She’d just spend the night worrying and that‘s not good for dad’s sanity or my sleep.”
“Are you sure I need these?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” Malik frowned. “Or would you prefer to stay awake tonight? I guarantee every time you fall asleep and roll over on that bruise…”
I sighed and hugged him just as Jesse joined us.
Jesse stepped in for a squeeze too and I moaned as his body hit my injury.
“Sorry.” Jesse told me, framing one side of my face with a palm. “You know I worry…”
“I know.”
“I’m not going to nag.” Jesse pressed his lips into a thin line, sighed then nodded. “You’re still standing. You’re here. So, all I’m going to say is, I love you.”
“I love you too, Jess.”
Malik and Jesse left in the same car as usual. Malik would drop Jesse off at his apartment close to the university, then head home. My parents lingered while longer worrying about me. My mother fussed the most. She hugged me repeatedly and I, somehow, managed not to grunt at the hurt her super tight hugs caused.
Eventually, my father managed to talk her out the door.
“Call your friend,” my mother said after kissing my cheek for what had to be the millionth time. “Take him up on the offer for you to visit. Didn’t you say he was here, in Billings?”
I nodded.
It scared me the things she remembered.
“I know it’s not leaving the country, but I’m sure this friend of yours would make sure you rested.”
I smiled. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think about it,” my mother said. “Do it.”
“Paula, leave the boy alone.” My father laughed before stepping in for a hug. “Listen to your mother.”
I chuckled. “Okay, dad. You two be safe heading home.” I told him as I walked them to their car. My father loved his truck but when he took mom out with him, he used the Cadillac. Mom’s knees couldn’t take the climb into the truck anymore.
When the headlights flooded my driveway, I stepped back to the porch and watched until long after the taillights disappeared in the distance. I then hauled my tired self back inside, locked the door and set the alarms. Though all I wanted to do was fall into bed, I stacked the dirty dishes into the dishwasher, started it then headed up the stairs, turning off lights as I went.
Usually, I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning to use the bathroom or just to stare at the ceiling. This time, I slept like the dead until around eleven. The sleep did nothing to help and I knew my mother had been right. Before I climbed out of bed, I grabbed my cell, scrolled through my contacts until I got to Alex Davila.
“Cobra!” Alex “Taz” Davila greeted me. “How the hell are ya?”
“Exhausted.”
“I keep telling you. Come through!” Taz reminded him. “I’m still in Billings for another few days. Besides, I need the ride back.”
I laughed.
