He pulled me into a hug, that didn’t feel forced or awkward. I was grateful to get the chance to build a relationship not only with my father, but my brother as well.
****
I arrived atGrant’sat six o’clock on the dot. It was just starting to fill up for the dinner rush. I didn’t see Gabby yet, so I sent her a quick text to let her know I was there. The hostess greeted me with a warm smile and showed me to one of the booths toward the back where it was most quiet. Xavier texted me that an impromptu meeting had popped up and he might run a little late. I was surprised, however, when I saw Jamal emerge from the hallway that I knew led to the manager’s office. He caught my eye and gave me a nod before coming toward me.
“Hey, what’re you doing here?” I asked
“Hey, cousin. I was in the back speaking to X. One of the kids at the center where I tutor has aspirations of being a chef, so I asked X if he would let little man do a shadow day here.”
“Really? That’s dope, Jamal. How old is he?”
“He’s thirteen. Really smart. He’s got two younger siblings and helps his mother around the house and has taken a liking to cooking.”
“That’s cool. Xavier agreed?”
“Yeah, we’re going to make something happen over Christmas break when little man is out of school.”
Jamal had volunteered for years at a community center helping kids and teaching personal finance classes to high school students. I’d always admired that about him. Despite the personal failings of his father, he’d taken away the belief that those in the position to do so should give back in any way they could to those who needed it.
“That’ll be exciting for him. How’s your nephew doing?”
“Oh, man, that lil’ dude is great. Look at this.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone, bringing up his gallery of pictures. He turned the phone to me, and my heart melted at the image of a grinning caramel baby boy, held by Jamal.
“He’s getting so big. I haven’t spoken to Mercedes in a while. Last time, I think he was only two months old.”
“Yeah, he’s growing like a damn weed,” Jamal chuckled. “I just went to Atlanta a couple of weeks ago for work and extended my stay for a few days. I hung out with my lil’ dude the whole time.”
I continued to swoon as Jamal scrolled through pictures of him and his nephew together.
“Raul Jr. is so precious,” I stated as he closed his gallery app in his phone. Jamal’s older sister, Mercedes, had named her son after the father, Raul.
“He is. She’s really happy,” Jamal said of his sister.
“That’s good. I guess she doesn’t miss Houston too much, huh?”
“Nah, I doubt it. She’s been in Atlanta for a while now. She barely comes to visit since everything went down with my pops and her. Mama goes out to Atlanta to visit too.”
I nodded. “And how about you? Thinking of settling down anytime soon?”
“Pssh,” he leaned back, blowing out an exaggerated breath. “Not me.”
“Still playing the field, huh?”
“I wouldn’t call it playing. I’m just…”
“Hoeing?” I interjected when he trailed off.
“Get outta here,” he waved me off.
“Speaking of, what’s up between you and my bestie?”
His eyebrows dipped into a deep V. “Nothing. I’ve met that girl like, twice, and you were present both times. Did itlooklike something was going on between us?”
“Yeah, actually, it did. It looked like you two had some hostility, and seeing as how both of you claim to not know the other, I find it a little odd.”
Jamal gave me a weary look. “Man, your friend is crazy. You see how she attacked me in your office? I’m lucky I got away with my damn life.”
“Attacked you?”
