“Hurry up. I’m hungry, and I’m trying to get some mac and cheese before Messiah and Loyal’s greedy asses get to it.” I complained as Peace took her sweet ol’ time.
“You’re an asshole. You know that?”
“Assho!” Promise attempted to repeat her. Peace looked mortified while I chuckled because she had been doing it for weeks.
“See. You’ve got my baby out here cussing on a Sunday.” I held baby girl in my arms as we headed towards the house. I rarely felt nervous because of the life I led, but I was a little anxious as we walked inside. Peace seemed so lost in the world, and I wanted her to experience the kind of love I knew they could give.
I greeted everyone as I walked into the house. The mouth-watering aroma coming from the kitchen lulled me into a trance. My mother rarely cooked when we were younger, so I never experienced family dinners until Justice invited me to join his family for dinner.
“Where is the bathroom?” Peace asked. I could tell her ass was trying to stall, but she had no reason to be nervous.
“It’s down the hall. Meet me in the kitchen when you’re done.”
“Is that my big, fine bonus grandson!” Granny Lula shouted as I stepped into the kitchen. The ladies were all in the kitchen together. Some were at the table talking, while a few others were fixing up the food.
“How are you doing, Granny?” I kissed her cheek, then peeked over her shoulder to get a peek at what she cooked.
“I’m alive and in my right mind. God is still in the blessing business. How are you, baby? I only get to see you once every couple of weeks. You ain’t that damn business that you can’t come and check on an old lady. I don’t mind you coming to graba plate on Sundays, but it would be nice if you could come and sit on the porch with me now and then. I won’t be here forever.”
I dropped my head in shame because I needed to do better. The Grahams were a second family to me, and they helped raise me as a kid. I owed them more than I could ever pay back.
“I’m sorry, Granny. I’ll do better.”
“Yeah, yeah. Tell me anything. Who is this cutie you’ve got with you?” Granny held her arms out for Promise, who went right to her with no hesitation.
“What’s your name, baby?”
“Pwomish.”
“Promise? Oh, what a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. Would you like a snack while we wait for the food? You like bread?” Granny walked her over to the counter, and the two of them split one of Granny Lula’s famous dinner rolls. She put a little butter on it, and Promise smashed it as if she hadn’t eaten all day.
“Have they been starving you, baby? You can tell, Granny. I won’t say anything.” Granny pressed as she handed Promise another roll. Her greedy ass nodded her head, and I couldn’t do anything but laugh. Promise had everyone wrapped around her finger, and she loved every minute of it.
“That’s okay. Granny Lula is gonna fatten you right on up.”
“Hey.” Peace spoke lowly as she stood next to me. Nervous energy radiated off of her, so I grabbed her hand in mine. When Granny Lula turned to face us, her eyes grew wide as saucers. Peace had been so focused on her phone that she missed it, but I didn’t. Granny glanced between the two of us, then gave a warm smile. By that time, Peace had finally looked up.
“Granny Lula, this is Promise’s mother, Peace.” Granny froze for a moment, and then she walked over to greet her.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” Peace barely spoke above a whisper.
“How are you doing, sweety? You can call me Granny Lula or Granny. It’s up to you. You have the sweetest baby. She is so smart and well-mannered.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Peace! When did you sneak into this house?” Ciyani exclaimed, rushing over to hug her. Peace embraced her with the biggest smile on her face. The two of them talked for a moment before Ciyani pulled her over to where the other women were.
After an hour, we all ate until we were completely full. The women were upstairs while the men gathered in the man cave. The house we were at belonged to Justice’s father, Truth. I considered him a second father because he and my father were so close growing up. After my father was killed, Truth stepped up and handled everything for us. He paid our rent for a year and checked in on us often.
When I told him I wanted to join his organization, he gave me the chance to prove myself, and after years of putting in the work, he passed it all down to me. He was as solid as they came.
“Pops, we need to run something by you,” Justice interjected as the men were talking. Everyone got quiet since the majority of us knew he was about to say.
“Okay. I’m a little scared because of the way y’all are looking at me. What’s going on?” Justice and I both gave each other a look before I spoke up.
“I met this girl a month ago, and I hired her to be my assistant. Her last name is Graham, and she told me that she met her father when she was younger, but then she never heard from him again. Her mother refused to tell her much about him and basically said to her that he didn’t want her anymore. She showed me a picture of him, and he looked like a young Messiah. We don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I’m pretty sure it was Uncle Knowledge.”
“What’s her name?” Truth questioned with a stone face.
