She was right. Whenever I looked at her, I got lost and wasn’t aware of anything surrounding me except her.
Walking out the bedroom, hand in hand, I found my people in the living room having small talk. They knew not to bring Galleria to my house. She had a problem with my woman, and I refused to have mine uncomfortable. Plus, that wouldn’t have been the last time Galleria would be here. I knew her and the pop-ups would’ve been frequent.
“Before we go, mama, let me holla at them right quick.” I pointed to both Kégo and Diego. She gave a small nod and sat to talk with Granny. I took them to the balcony for some privacy.
“Wassup,mijo? What’s on your mind?” Papa asked.
“Journei’s wife works for you. What was the job y’all were comin’ to the States for?” I inquired because I had a feeling on what it was.
Kégo spoke up. “To off some nigga Alexis didn’t wanna touch. She was givin’ us the details today. Said somethin’ about her wife was in trouble and didn’t trust nobody else but us to handle it.”
“Papa, I am the job. Alexis found out Journei was pregnant for me and lost it. She disrespected Journei, Hunz, and his wife. Hunz was the one that told me how Alexis was comin’. My sonwon’t be harmed, and neither will his mother. I changed forabuela, but my gun still buss,” I replied. They knew Hunz as well and accepted him.
“No,mijo. Alexis is a worker that makes me a lot of money, but you arela familia. Family tops any and everybody. Let me see what she has planned so you’ll be aware. I can shut it down, but she’s still her own person. Journei carries my grandson, and I wanna see him grow up. He won’t leave before his time. He’s got an empire to run,” Diego said and smiled.
“Thank you, Papa. I ’preciate it.”
Both him and Kégo grabbed a shoulder and squeezed. I appreciated my family and the support they gave me. Journei was family by default, but they stepped up to protect her and our son. The money didn’t change them. That meant everything to me.
“Baby, can we go eat now? I am starving,” Journei whined and put on those puppy-dog eyes that had me giving her whatever she desired. I nodded and grabbed her hand to leave.
Tacos El Paladito served breakfast in the traditional Mexico form. Chilaquiles, atole, and tamales, coffee and pastries, and millets. I was fully black, but from being around Kégo, I indulged in the Mexican culture often, hence my Spanish being as fluent as it was.
My son didn’t give my baby hell when she ate those fajitas I fixed for her, so I figured we could stick to the spicy foods. Her pregnancy just started, and I wanted to make sure she could eat somethin’ without it comin’ back up.
The restaurant wasn’t too packed like it usually was for lunch and dinner. We were able to have a peaceful meal without being rushed or aggravated by the extra noise.
“Journei, what’s yo’ thoughts on Christian being a pastor?” Kégo questioned her as she finished her last bite.
“So, we really doin’ this… okay. I have a hard time believing in God due to my past, but Christian is a real sweet and patient man. If he chooses to do whatever religious muthafuckas do, then that’s on him. I know it’s somethin’ he’s passionate about, so I won’t knock anything he’s doin’ regarding it. I can’t speak too much on somethin’ I have no clue about though, Kay,” she replied and gave Kégo a nickname in the process.
A smile had somehow made its way on my face. I knew her view on God, but I planned on changing her mindset by how I acted and presented things to her.
“Christian, I want you know she’s been through a lot. I’m not saying convert her over, but give her time, and maybe that’ll change. You can’t help who you love, baby, and you love that woman dearly. Don’t give up on each other, and focus on becoming each other’s best friend, not just lovers. It’ll all work itself out.” Annie Mae Gills was dropping gems, and I was catching every one of them.
The morning had gone well, and they wanted to play. I was the shiny new toy that they wanted to see in action. Seeing where I delivered the word was all I could offer. It was a pretty day outside, so we walked a few blocks over to the Gethsemane church house.
Of course, Granny put on like she was the holiest while everybody else just did a normal walkthrough. Since we were there, I went to the office to see if Rebecca was still in. I caught her right as she was locking the door.
“Rebecca, don’t get me.” I held up the files she needed.
Shaking her head, then letting a smile appear, she reached for the files. “Pastor Gills, I needed those yesterday. You are so last minute. I’ll have the summary sent by email tonight. See you tomorrow. Enjoy your day.” Her words faded as she walked off.
I yelled, “Thank you!” before I lost visual of her. She wanted to curse me out I was sure, but the sweet Christian woman shealways displayed said let me be. I saw it on her face before she smiled. I was grateful for Rebecca though. She got things done when I couldn’t.
Heading back toward the sanctuary, I spotted Journei running to the bathroom with Granny behind her. My son was gon’ have her mad at me by the end of the day. I took strides in her direction when Kégo came from the sanctuary door saying someone was looking for me.
I followed behind him to see who wanted a moment. Nobody knew where I would be today, so I was curious. As I stepped into the sanctuary, there was a man with his back turned toward me near the entrance of the church.
Kégo had his hand behind his back, grippin’ his tool, just in case somethin’ popped off. It was wrong, but anything could happen, and he took no chances when it came to family. He motioned for Papa to come stand behind him.
“Someone looking for Pastor Gills?”
He didn’t reveal his face until I spoke. When he turned around, so did I. My focus went to the door Journei walked out of previously. Her emotions were all over the place, but the one emotion she showed numerous times related to him was fear.
Her running to the bathroom had me wondering if it was because of our son or him. I released a breath that was held without realization. At that moment, I was straddling the fence with putting him out or goin’ to Journei and avoiding the interaction.
Jourdell approached me with a casual smile as my phone began to ring. Pulling it out, I glanced at the name, and it was Hunz. From Jourdell being in the same location as me, I knew what the call was for.
