“Uncle Coye!”
I heard my niece, Brielle’s, squeaky voice before I saw her trying to wrestle herself out of her father’s arms as I set the dinner table.
When he placed her on her feet, I squatted down to catch her in my arms. I chuckled as she ran full speed and launched herself at me.
“Hey, little girl.” I hugged her, then kissed her cheek.
“I missed you,” she said as she rested her head on my shoulder.
“I missed you, too.” I kissed her forehead, then stood to my full height.
Her brother, Roman, walked over to me and shook my hand. “Hey, Uncle C.”
I ruffled his curly hair and smiled at him. “What’s up, Ro?”
Their father, Jordan, walked in, shaking his head, with their mother, Bianca, next to him.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out some cash before handing the kids some money, then putting Brielle back on her feet.
“Man, it feels like I haven’t seen you in a long ass time,” Jordan said as he walked up to me and hugged me.
“It’s only been like three weeks,” I teased, then greeted Bianca.
Jordan and I had been friends since the fifth grade, and he was my best friend. Hell, he was my only friend. I was the godfather of his kids, but they called me their uncle.
Brielle was four, and Roman was eight, and they were my heart. I spoiled them as much as I could, and their parents couldn’t stand it. I told them, as long as I got it, they would get it.
“Do you know why we are here?” I asked Jordan when Bianca and the kids left the room.
“Nah. My pops said he wanted to have a family dinner, but that was all that was said.”
I had gotten a text the day before to show up at Jordan’s family’s house. When Poppa Dean asked us to attend, we all made sure we did, no questions asked.
Jordan’s parents, Dean and Dana, had gotten a divorce when we were in elementary school, but they remained friends. Half the time, people thought they were still together. The divorce didn’t stop Dean from being a great father to Jordan, his sister, River, and even to me.
He was the only father I had, since mine decided that he didn’t want to be a father by the time I was three months old. I hadn’t seen that man since. I didn’t care to see him either.
My mother, Charolette, did the best she could raising me to be the man that I was, but I had to give credit to Poppa Dean. I spent so much time at their house because my mom worked multiple jobs to provide a roof over my head and food on the table. She even got me the latest clothes, and when I was able to, I upgraded her life. Now, she was able to work if she wanted to and travel the world. She earned it, and it made me proud to be the one to give her that.
“Maybe they’re getting back together,” I said.
Jordan shook his head. “I don’t think so. They cool and all, but I don’t see that happening.”
“I guess we’ll find out. Help me set this table.” I picked up the plate I had before they came and put it in front of the empty seat.
“How was your trip?” Jordan asked as he put the silverware on the table.
A sneaky grin spread across my face. I leaned over and whispered, “The shit was a movie.”
He rubbed his hands together and smiled. “Like that?”
“Hell yeah. I picked up some good shit but also had some play time, if you know what I’m saying.”
He listened as I told him about my latest trip to Colombia to get some emeralds and other jewels. I owned a jewelry store named Johnson Jewelers, and I traveled the world to find rare gems.
Jordan liked to live vicariously through me since he had been married for so long. He was happy with his wife and wouldn’t cheat on her but loved my stories.
I didn’t go crazy when I went to other countries, but I had my fair share of foreign pussy. Even had a few threesomes. I was single and enjoying life, so I didn’t see a problem with it. I knew at some point I would slow down, but it would have to be for someone worth it.
