“I shouldn’t be surprised, though, because you are always going to other countries. I’m sure you picked up a few words here and there. Why did you act like you didn’t know what I was saying?”
I opened the car door and walked around to her side of the car. I was sure someone knew we were outside and would have come to look for us if we didn’t go inside. I helped her out of the car.
“Because I like to hear the excitement you get when you tell me.” Even though it was cold outside, I pulled her into my arms. “I think it’s sexy as hell. If we didn’t have to go in here and eat, I would take you back home.” I pulled her closer so she could feel me. “You feel that? I’m hard just from you saying that shit.” I kissed her nose. “I already spotted your mom peeking out the window, so let’s get in here.” I released her and grabbed her hand.
“Sir, you can’t just be saying stuff like that. Now I have to go in here with hard nipples and damp panties.”
“Good. I know it ain’t just me.” I winked.
Luckily, we had a few seconds to get ourselves together before opening the front door. The aroma of food hit us as soon as we walked in.
Jordan was the first one up to greet us. He hugged River and slapped hands with me.
“About time y’all got here. I’m hungry as hell, and you know they weren’t trying to eat until baby girl got here,” he said as he pinched River’s cheek.
“Stop.” She giggled and punched his arm.
“Well, we’re here now,” I said as I rubbed my hands together. If my nose served me correctly, someone had made BBQ ribs, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.
I helped River out of her jacket, then hung it on the rack before taking mine off and placing it on top of hers.
The kids ran to us and hugged us both. We spoke to Bianca before going into the kitchen, where our moms were.
“Look at y’all.” Momma Dana gushed as she walked near us. “Y’all look so cute.”
River and I laughed as we took turns hugging her.
“Thanks, but I smell ribs.” I peeked over her to look at the food on the counter.
“Boy, act like you got some home training,” my mother fussed as she came to hug us. “Y’all do look cute though.” She looked between River and me and smiled.
River and I had on olive green sweatsuits and sneakers to match. When I got my sneakers, I got her a pair as well.
Momma Dana told everyone the food would be ready shortly, so we all washed our hands and gathered in the living room.
Five minutes or so passed, and our moms put the food out on the table. We all took turns making our plates, with Bianca making the kids’ plates first.
We had a whole spread of ribs, chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and string beans. Potato salad, yams, biscuits, and dinner rolls. There was also a lemon meringue pie, and some cookies from the shop, including my favorite lemon and strawberry ones.
As we ate, we caught up on everything that had been going on with us over the last few weeks. Everyone seemed to be in much better spirits, but the energy was a little different without Pops. Jordan was the first one to bring it up.
“Man, I can’t believe he isn’t here.” He shook his head.
Pops usually sat at the end of the table, and it was crazy that his spot was empty.
“I know,” River said and wiped a tear from her eye. “Some days I still pick up my phone to call him but can’t.”
I squeezed her leg under the table.
“He wouldn’t want us to be sad over him all the time,” Momma Dana added.
My mom chimed in. “You ain’t lying about that.”
The rest of us laughed, because it was true. He always reminded us that we wouldn’t be here forever and that he didn’t want us crying over him all day. He made sure to stress the importance of living life to the fullest.
“I will say, he was happy knowing you had Coye, River. He just wanted you to be loved and protected outside of your brother,” Momma Dana said.
“I ain’t gonna front. I was against it at first, but I’m glad you have each other,” Jordan added.
