Genesis came up to me and extended his hand in my direction to be dapped up. I honored his request before leaning back in my seat. Royce walked over to Enzo and looked down at his lifeless body. Out of nowhere, he released a hearty laugh.
“This nigga here,” Yonnis commented.
“The whole clip is crazy. That’s yo’ brother and you just put him down like he wasn’t shit to you. You one cold individual,” Royce stated.
“I don’t play games with nobody. Blood or not, crossing me gon’ put you there. How much to clean this shit up Yonnis?” I questioned.
He shook his head and said, “Don’t even sweat it. I got the cleaners outside waiting to get paid. Go ‘head and see ‘bout the rest of the fam while I handle this,” he instructed.
Nodding, I stood and looked to Royce. “Aye, where yo’ Pops? I got some shit I need him to clear up for me.”
“He should be at the crib. Follow Genesis back to the compound,” he ordered.
“Nah, y’all go ‘head and handle business. I got this,” Yonnis claimed.
We agreed in unison leaving Yonnis with the aftermath. We each parted ways hopping in our individual rides. I had to let it be known how corny this shit was. Each of us driving a car we were named after was all of lame. If I would’ve known this was how these niggas operated as well, I would’ve pulled out a different bitch from the garage to travel with.
The ride from the law firm to the compound was smooth. The traffic was light, and the breeze felt damned good. Their music taste wasn’t quite what I was used to, but it was straight for what it was. I noticed quickly that the folk in this slow ass city didn’t know how to drive. It was like they were waiting for directions and wasn’t trying to move without them. The shit was working my nerves.
We rolled up to this big ass gate that looked as if it surrounded acres of land. I smirked knowing the land I had back in Florida was twice as big. It was good knowing they spared no expense though. Niggas with money did what niggas did and that was the most. A full smile graced my lips seeing they took advantage of every dollar that touched their accounts.
Access was granted within seconds. I followed behind my cousins down a long private road. What I could say was they had houses built all down this muthafucka. It seemed like they had the entire family in one place and that was dope as hell.
The drive continued for ‘bout five minutes before I was greeted to an oversized cul de sac that had a total of five houses filling it. It was cute seeing they stuck together. Family must’ve meant a lot to them. It only made me wonder why the hell it took them thirty-two years to want a relationship with me.
I pulled up behind Genesis’s whip and admired the mansion. I guess it wasn’t nothing new under the sun. The only difference between theirs and mine, was mine was a glass house thatdisplayed more architect design. This looked like something out of the Fresh Prince. If it worked for them though, who was I to say shit.
Stepping out my ride, I shut the door and followed behind the chaotic brotha’s. Royce didn’t knock at all before entering so I assumed this was his shit. The inside was like I expected it to be. Spacious as hell with art that looked expensive as hell. I also had to address the fact that it smelled damned good in this muthafucka. Somebody was in the kitchen throwing down.
Before I could question anything, a woman peeked her head from the kitchen wearing a big smile on her face. I’d heard ‘bout the family through Heidi. However, I didn’t have a face for their names. My curiosity was spiked.
“Baby boy, I was just about to call you. I just fried up some flounder, made homemade coleslaw, and hushpuppies. You’re just in time,” she spoke excitingly.
“Cool. Aye, look who I got with me,” Royce said pointing behind him.
She stepped out the kitchen and into the hall completely. She walked in our direction and quickly threw her hands over her mouth while her eyes damn near fell out the sockets. Apparently, she knew who I was, but I had no idea as to who she was.
“Senior!” she shouted. I knew him as my uncle, so I assumed she was his wife, Iris… which made her Royce’s mama. I was putting the pieces together.
“Yeah baby? Why you doing all that hootin’ fa?” he questioned coming around the corner a few doors down. “What is it no…” His words faded as he locked eyes with mine.
“Pick yo’ mouths up off the floor. Y’all wanted to meet the nigga so bad, say hey or something,” Royce voiced.
Iris slowly closed the gap between us with tears in her eyes. There was no doubt in my mind that she saw my mother in me. Where there were some that said I took Bentayga’s face, therewere also those that saw Rhema in me. I must’ve brought back memories for her.
“Senior, he looks just like Rhema,” she sobbed throwing her arms around me. I engaged in the hug to coddle her emotions.
Uncle Royce finally stepped up and gave me an assessment from top to bottom. It was like he was trying to find a flaw that stated I wasn’t his kin. I understood him though. After dealing with Enzo, I would’ve been suspicious of every muthafucka that stepped through my door. I guess he approved because I was being pulled into him next. He hugged me tightly as if he held some kind of remorse for me.
Pushing him off me with the utmost respect, I took a few steps back. I ain’t know them but one thing I couldn’t shake was Daisy classifying him as the devil. He wouldn’t get that trust from me anytime soon.
“I get it. You see my mama and you miss her. However, I need you to answer something for me,” I said pointing to Senior. “A while back at that shit show dinner y’all hosted, I overheard some things while I was on the phone with Heidi. You said you was protecting my mother. Explain that to me.”
Senior cleared his throat as his gaze hit the floor. Enzo let some shit fly out his mouth before I took his last breath. I needed this shit to be on the table and the truth to follow it. My parents were my everything. I wasn’t ‘bout to let a soul change that either. I grew up believing I was made out of love and that part was gon’ forever be solid with me.
“How ‘bout we talk over lunch? Bentley would you like some fish?” Iris inquired.
“Yeah, I could take a piece. Thank you,” I answered, offering her a small and brief smile.
