“Can we please try to rebuild our relationship? Just me, you, and Ivory. Let’s start anew. What do you say?”
Irish smiled and reached over to cup Daisy’s cheek. Her mother used to be so beautiful and filled with life. However, over the years, she had incarcerated herself. This apartment had become her prison. Spiritual warfare had been amongst Daisyfor years and instead of fighting the devil, she welcomed him inside.
“Although our journey has come to an end, I do pray that you find your willpower and get yourself together.”
“Wait, no!” Daisy wailed. “Irish, please don't go! We can get through this! Just please give me a chance to make things right!”
Irish slowly shook her head. “Mama, I gave you almost twenty years. I have nothing else to give you. Take care of yourself.”
“Irish, no!”
She turned around and walked out the door. Daisy’s wails were gut-wrenching, but Irish couldn’t be held captive by her pain anymore. She was free from Daisy’s hold. No more doing for her against her will. Irish was relieved by her decision and cursed herself for not cutting the cord sooner.
Jovanis stared at the house before him, shaking his head. It was one of those rare occasions where he’d get to be reacquainted with his family. Getting out the car, he felt the effects of the weed and pill he had consumed. He was high out of his mind because he didn’t want to feel anything right now. Pain lingered, awaiting his invitation but Jovanis had been too doped up to extend it.
Hiking the stairs, he noticed the front door was open. Walking inside, he spotted his Uncles Mel and Fish, his Aunt Kita, and his cousins sitting in the living room.
“Hey, Van, what a nice surprise,” Kita greeted him with a hug.
“What’s up, Auntie?”
“Just waiting for the birthday boy so we can sing happy birthday.” She stared at him with concern. “How you been, sweetie?”
“Straight,” he mumbled, walking over to his uncles. They each shared a brotherly hug.
“Man, where yo’ ass been?” Fish asked. “I’ve been hitting you up for weeks now.”
Jovanis couldn’t reveal he’d been causing havoc or that Irish had been hiding from him to avoid the obvious. After he dropped the pics on Tuck, he had been getting threatening calls. Jovanis didn’t entertain them since he’d gotten what he wanted. Revenge on the man who had broken his heart was a nice trade-off. Jovanis was wounded and Tuck was embarrassed. He’d say that was a fair exchange.
“I’ve been working.”
“You don't look good,” Mel noted. “You a’ight?”
“Yeah, don't worry about me!” Jovanis snapped, walking over to the table where there were trays of food.
He found it ironic how his uncles had so much concern for him during his adult years when they didn’t possess that same care when he was a child. He grabbed a mozzarella stick just as his mother came from the back. Holding her hand was his ten-year-old little brother, Josiah. She’d gotten remarried and gave her husband a child since he had none. Back then, that time in Jovanis’ life was weird. He’d grown up the only child and didn’t have any siblings. It actually felt like he still didn’t have any since he never came around.
“Jovanis, you came!” Margie gushed, eyes wide in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
He didn’t speak as she advance toward him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, he reluctantly hugged her.
“I’m so happy to see you, baby,” she whispered before drawing back. “Can you believe Josiah is ten years old?”
He held his hand out for his brother who slapped his palm. “Happy birthday, lil’ bro.”
“Thanks.”
Margie smiled at their interaction. Her husband, Alain, entered the room carrying a Hulk cake.
“Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you…” they all sang in unison.
Josiah’s eyes glowed as Alain sat the cake on the table. Jovanis envied the purity of him. His innocence was still there. The world hadn’t tampered with him. He hadn’t been thrown to the wolves to rush his manhood. Josiah had a chance at a normal life and Jovanis was at least okay with that.
“Okay, now make a wish,” Margie told him.
The little boy closed his eyes and blew the candles out. Everyone cheered, provoking Josiah’s gap-toothed smile to surface.
“What’s up, Jovanis?” Alain greeted, giving him a shake. “Glad you made it.”
