As the door opened, I felt Journei’s nervousness. She was shaking almost and like a scared child, she hid behind me. I opened the door when I saw that beautiful face that raised me. She was my heart, and mountains would be moved for her.
“Hey, son. I missed that handsome face of yours. Is this the one?” she asked. And when she said one, she meantthe one.
Journei stepped from behind me with her head down. It amazed me how one could flip a switch and become someone different within seconds. I looked into my granny’s face and saw an expression I wasn’t expecting. She looked at Journei as if she knew her.
“Journei? Baby, is that you?” Granny asked. Journei lifted her head and stared. They held the same look, and tears started to fall from both. I didn’t know who to comfort first. Curiosity was once again getting the best of me.
“Yes, ma’am.” Journei answered while nodding.
“Oh, dear, Lord, you heard my cry. I have been praying for you every day. Baby, I thought the worst had happened to you. Come here so I can hug you.”
Their hug lasted longer than I wanted it to. A hint of jealousy surfaced. I didn’t want to share either one of them, but I needed for both of them to be OK with sharing me. Moments later, they detached and allowed me to enter the house. Journei stood to the side, giving me just enough room to enter before our arms were interlocked again.
“Mama, what was that about?” I questioned.
“Can we tell you later? I need a minute, baby.” Her eyes were pleading, and I could see every thought she was thinking bouncing around in her head. With a simple nod, I dismissed the conversation.
We headed to the dining room, where the food was laid out. She had entirely too much food and too many place settings for three people. I caught her coming from the kitchen with two pecan pies. I grabbed them from her and noticed chocolate chips in one. I only knew one person who ate it like that.
“Ma, what you got goin’ on?”
“Nothing, baby. You asked me to cook dinner, and I did. Now y’all go wash up before y’all sit at my table,” she said.
She was hiding somethin’, but I was sure whatever it was would soon be revealed. I guided Journei to the bathroom in the downstairs guest bedroom. I could tell she was in her head and wanted to go home. Seeing granny changed her vibe completely.
“Mama, just give her thirty minutes to an hour. We can tell her about the baby and then go, a’ight?” I suggested.
The softestokayleft her lips. It was almost unheard, but I caught it. I did as I was told and left Journei to her private moment as she requested. As I walked toward the front, the doorbell went off. I knew it was somethin’ more to what Annie Mae Gills was acknowledging.
I shut the light off out of habit and checked the peephole. It was covered, so I took the gun Ma kept in her foyer table out. Too much was goin’ on for me to be caught lacking. Snatching the door open, I was greeted by my family who wore the dorkiest smiles.
“Oh, so you gon’ shoot a nigga?Abuelaaaa! Yo’ grandson tryna take me outta hea! Come beat his ass for playin’ with guns in the house!” Kégo yelled.
Diego and Kégo made it to the States, and I couldn’t hide how I was feeling. I felt like a child reuniting with his family from a long summer away. I missed my people. Kégo knew me and my reason behind what I did when I was younger. The smile I carried was full of pure happiness.
“Papa, te extrané(Papa, I missed you),” I spoke when my eyes landed on him.
“Same here,mijo.Abuela?” He was asking about granny, so I let him know she was in the kitchen.
Once Kégo stepped inside, we engaged in a long, overdue brotherly hug. I truly missed them. As I closed the door, I noticed Kégo’s focus was on somethin’ behind me. I turned around to see Journei walking up the hallway.
She was dressed so simple in a maxi dress and heels but could easily shut down a room full of women. Her natural beauty captured the gaze of anyone nearby. I smiled while shaking my head. Kégo approved without verbally saying it.
“Mama, come here.” I called for Journei before she went to sit. “This is the infamous Kégo. Kégo, meet my baby, Journei.”
She gave up that infectious smile and gestured a handshake. Kégo ignored her extended hand and went in for a hug.
“If you’re with this one, you must love him. He’s not the easiest man to fall for. Nice to meet you, Journei.”
“You as well. Baby, can we eat please?” Her voice was still soft but could be heard. I nodded, and everyone headed to the dining area.
I could hear Granny and Diego fussing in the kitchen. Granny was upset about him not coming to see her in over ten years. She loved them like family, so she was more so hurt than upset. They joined us shortly, with Diego wearing a look of defeat. She must’ve scolded him if he wore that face.
Granny and Diego took the heads of the table, while Journei joined me on the side with our backs facing the wall. I needed to see all movement, and I refused to have my back toward any door.
The most Diego could do was bless the food before an interruption I wasn’t expecting happened.
Journei
