After I finished feeding Titan and washing my hands, I joined her at the island.
“How was it growing up being the middle child?”
Shrugging, I chewed the last bite of sandwich that I had in my mouth before I answered. “I mean, it was okay, I guess. I had Giorgio bullying me on one end, and I had Corinna whining about everything on the other. I was close to both my siblings, and we all spoiled Cori. Giorgio could bully me, but he didn’t play that shit about anyone else doing it. Our parents were protective of all of us.”
“That’s cool.”
“What about you? What was it like being an only child?”
“Sometimes lonely, but my parents did all they could to make sure that I felt included in most things. Then there was Tommi,who was also an only child. So our parents made sure we spent a lot of time together. Her father wasn’t in her life. Sometimes it was just her and her mama making the most of their time together. She looked at my dad like the father figure in her life, and he didn’t treat us any differently. So, it didn’t always feel like being an only child, if you get what I’m saying.”
“I get it. There were times when my siblings drove me crazy and made me wish I was the only child. But I wouldn’t trade them for the world, and they ride hard for me, especially now.”
“I loved being an only child at Christmas.”
“Our parents spoiled us for Christmas too. What was your most memorable one?”
“Let’s see. I got everything that I asked for and so many things that I hadn’t thought to ask for. They spoiled the crap out of me, so as it relates to material gifts, none really stand out. It was the intangible gift they gave me one Christmas that stands out the most.
“I learned when I was twelve that they had tried to have another child, but they were unable to. My mom miscarried four times after me, and they finally gave up because it was taking a toll on her body and their emotions and marriage.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“They finally conceded that their true purpose was to gift the world with me. When they shared that story with me, I made up in my mind that I would always give the very best of me to this world. I wouldn’t hold back my gifts, my love, or anything that I had been blessed to gift to others.”
Her voice trailed off, and a sadness took over. I wondered what it was all about but decided not to pry.
“What about you? What was your most memorable one?” she asked.
Laughing, I dragged my hand down my face. “Aww, man. After hearing yours, I guess I need to change mine. I wasthinking about the signed basketball I received one year from Bryan Alderman and the jersey another year from Trent Maxwell.”
“That’s okay. If those are your most memorable ones, then you should cherish those memories.”
“They helped shape the type of ball player I wanted to be for sure. But my most memorable one was the year we had an unexpected blizzard, and we were working at our restaurant in the vineyard on Christmas Eve. We were planning to have Christmas at the vineyard anyway, but we hadn’t planned on hosting thirteen guests.”
“Wow! What happened?”
“People were stuck at our restaurant, and the roads weren’t clear for travel. Mama came up with the idea that we could transport people from the restaurant to our big house, using the golf carts. Giorgio and I always acted a fool whenever we were allowed to drive those things. I was fourteen and tasked with driving some old ladies to the house.
“You should’ve seen my mama when those ladies arrived all terrified and barely holding onto their purses and hats. But it was beautiful. Her and Daddy made up all the spare rooms and hosted those families in the house.
“My parents made the most of it, and those families were so thankful. We spent Christmas Eve sharing our various traditions, stories, and memories. Mama found little things all around the vineyard and house to gift them, and Daddy made sure everyone was gifted a bottle of wine.”
“Your parents seem like an amazing couple. Your mother is very sweet.”
“Yeah, she can be.”
She laughed. “Sounds like she can also be like every other black mama. Am I right?”
“Absolutely. Don’t cross her up. Don’t fuck with her husband—and don’t fuck with her kids.”
“They still don’t haveany leads, baby?” Mama asked as we sat down in the living room to watch TV.
She had prepared a potato and broccoli soup that I loved as a child. She knew that I needed comfort food, so she had started cooking it early this morning when I told her I would be in town. She also made her homemade bread and lemon cake.
Ashton had practice today, and I asked him to drop me off at my parents’ place while he practiced. He was hesitant to let me leave his side, if I was leaving the cabin. He had said, at least at the cabin, no one knew my whereabouts. But I promised him that I would be safe with my parents, and I wouldn’t leave their side.
“No. Tommi said that they were following up on a new lead, but I haven’t heard anything since last night. She told me not to call her, she’ll call me,” I declared in a sour tone.
