“Young blood.” His voice was warm, fatherly. “Heard from my nephew. Said the visit got a little rocky.”
Of course Meech had already run to his uncle. Probably crying about how I’d disrespected him in front of his son.
“Rocky is one word for it,” I said, sitting up. “Your nephew is a bitch.”
Rashid chuckled. “He just didn’t have the proper upbringing.”
“The whole visit, he was obsessing over Zahara. Barely looked at his son. Kid came all that way and Meech spent thirty minutes asking where the mother was.”
“He’s got history with her. Complicated history.”
“History or not, he should’ve been focused on Yusef. That’s what he asked for, right? To see his son?”
“You’re right. You’re right.” Rashid’s tone shifted slightly. “But I need to make sure Zahara will be there for his parole hearing. That’s important, Prime. For the family.”
“She’ll be there.”
“Good. That’s good.” A pause. “And Prime? Don’t antagonize my nephew. I know he can be difficult, but he’s blood. I’ll deal with him when he comes home. Straighten him out. Get that family back together the right way.”
Something cold settled in my stomach. Get that family back together. Like Meech and Zahara and Yusef were supposed to be some happy unit. Like Meech deserved that after a decade of being absent. After making his son feel worthless for playing chess and piano.
“You hear me, son?”
“Yeah. I hear you.”
“Good. I know you got a soft spot for lost causes. Just remember—Zahara and her boy aren’t your responsibility. You did the favor I asked. Brought them together. The rest is on them to figure out.”
My jaw clenched. Lost causes. Like I was some bleeding heart trying to save people who didn’t want saving.
“Anything else?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
“Nah. Just wanted to check in. You good?”
“I’m good.”
“Alright. Talk to you soon.”
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone in my hand, Rashid’s words echoing in my head.Get that family back together the right way.
What the fuck did that mean? Force Zahara to play house with a man she clearly wanted nothing to do with? Make Yusef bond with a father who’d already shown him he wasn’t worth the effort?
Before I could spiral further, my phone rang again. This time it was Serenity, my baby sister.
“What up, sis?”
“Don’t ‘what up’ me.” Her voice was sharp but playful. “Where you been? You know Grandma been asking about you.”
Guilt twisted in my chest. “I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy for family? For Grandma?” She sucked her teeth. “You need to get your ass over here for Sunday dinner. Today. And don’t even think about making excuses.”
I glanced at the time. It was already past noon. “Seren?—”
“Grandma made your favorite. Oxtails. Mac and cheese. Collards. The whole nine. And if you don’t show up, I’m telling her you said her cooking is trash.”
“You wouldn’t.”
