When we made it back to his car, he opened my door before getting in the driver’s seat. He turned on the music and backed out of the parking lot, but he hadn’t asked for the address. I wasn’t about to let him back out, so I decided to do something.
“Aye, what are you doing?” Dreaux roared as I turned his music off and searched for the GPS app on his screen. I plugged the address in and pressed start.
“I don’t want to go,” he grumbled.
“I don’t care what you want. I’m not going to let you run because you’re uncomfortable. You want answers, and we’re gonna get them. If you don’t want to drive, then pull over so I can take over.”
“Yeah, right. You ain’t driving my shit.”
“Well then, I suggest you follow the directions before I turn the wheel myself. I’m not playing with you,” I warned. Dreaux chuckled and shook his head, but I meant what I said.
“I can’t believe your little ass is tryna bully me. I see where my baby gets it from.”
“The one and only. Turn left.” I turned the music back on and sat back in my seat. I wasn’t sure how this day would go, but we were in this together.
dreaux davis
. . .
“I’mglad you could make it. Come on in,” Nadira greeted us. She lived in a nice area, and her house was bigger than I expected. It seemed like the perfect family home to grow up in. A part of me wanted to turn around and walk back to my whip, but Peace gave me a look to let me know she wasn’t playing. If I weren’t so nervous, I would have laughed at her. I couldn’t believe she was tryna boss up on me.
“Thank you for having us. The food smells delicious,” Peace complimented.
I removed my shoes by the door and placed them on the shoe rack with all the others. There were several other cars outside, which was another reason I wanted to leave. Being surrounded by a bunch of strangers didn’t sound very appealing to me.
“I can give y’all a full tour after we eat because I know everyone is hungry. This is one of the family rooms, but only the adults are allowed in it. I love my grandbabies to death, but those couches are suede.” Nadira joked as she led us down the foyer of her home.
I heard the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen, and my nerves settled in. Peace must have read my thoughts becauseher tiny hands locked in with mine before we stepped into the room.
“Momma, your wayward son ate a wing and didn’t say a single prayer.” The pregnant woman from the church shouted.
“I love how you forgot to mention the wing you ate. That’s crazy.” Her man replied.
“Well, now that everyone is here, I’m going to pray over the food. Before we get started, I want to introduce you all to someone. This is my son Dreaux and his girlfriend, Peace. They will be joining us for dinner.” For some reason, I expected an outburst or some shock, but no one seemed surprised.
“What’s good, bro. I’m Jameer, and this snitch over here is my wife, Namoni. It’s nice to meet you finally.” He offered his hand for me to shake, and I obliged.
“I’m Nazeem. I’m the baby of the family, but as you can see, I’m the most handsome of all y’all niggas.”
“Man, get out of here. If we’re being honest, you’re last on the totem pole because Dreaux and I look alike. I keep telling you that you’re the milkman’s baby. Light-skinned Keith Sweat ass nigga,” Jameer shot back.
I chuckled as the two of them went back and forth. The exchange wasn’t as awkward as I expected, and I was grateful for that. The rest of the family introduced themselves and shook hands with Peace and me.
“It’s nice to meet, y’all. I won’t comment on the looks because I don’t think anyone in this world is more handsome than me.” I quipped.
“See! He fits right in. I think you’re pushing it with the looks, but I’ll let you slide,” Nazeem conceded.
“The man just met you all, and you’re already showing him that you don’t have any home training. At least try to pretend you have a little sense.” Nadira scoffed.
“The two of you can take a seat at the table. I’m gonna say a prayer over the food, and then we can eat.”
Peace led me to the two empty seats at the table. The conversation at the table was casual as they talked about football and their favorite teams. Nadira stood in front of her seat and asked us to bow our heads as she began to pray.
“Lord, we thank you for another day that was not promised to us. Thank you for carrying us through the day and covering us with your protection. Thank you for being a prayer-answering God and bringing my family together. As we gather together, I ask that you bless the food for the nourishment of our bodies. We ask all these things in your name. Amen.”
“Amen.”
The food was spread across the table, so everyone took turns passing the dishes from left to right. I wasn’t too keen on eating from everyone’s kitchen, but all of the food smelled delicious, and my stomach was growling.
