“Tell Boogie we agree to a meeting. I’ll make sure Daddy is there. This shit has gone on long enough, and I’m tired,” Audra said. Boogie liked her already. He remembered her from school, and she always seemed cool. He knew she and Sweetie had a rocky relationship, but he wondered if that had more to do with the strain their father caused on them than anything.
Boogie spoke before Sweetie could. “Bet. Let’s meet at the Mediterranean restaurant on the south side. The one on Lamont Street. Mutual territory. I’ll make sure it’s shut down for us, and y’all can bring as many security guards as you want. We’ll do the same, but no weapons are allowed inside. Sound fair?”
“More than fair. Is an hour okay? I don’t mean to rush, but if there’s any way we can get Sweetie here to see my grandmother today, then that would be great.”
“I agree. An hour is perfect.” Boogie disconnected the line, and everyone stared at him. “What?”
“I’ll be damned. You managed to pull off something I ain’t been able to do in over three decades. Proud of you, Son,” Zander said as he clapped Boogie on the back.
Denzel stood. “Let’s just hope they ain’t on no bullshit.”
“They can act up if they want,” Boogie said with a shrug. At that point, he was with whatever.
Everyone dispersed to prepare for this monumental meeting. When Sweetie and Boogie were alone, he pulled her into him by her waist. “You okay?”
Sweetie shook her head before she leaned into him. It seemed she didn’t have any words, and he honestly didn’t blame her. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say during this impromptu get together. All he knew was his future banked on the outcome of this meeting.
Normally, Boogie loved Mediterranean food. It was too bad they weren’t there to eat. Maybe one day the two families would be able to break bread, but he doubted that night would be the night.
Ultimately, he was on a mission. First, he wanted to make sure Sweetie could say her goodbyes to her granny. He also wanted peace going forward. All he could do was pray to God that things turned out in his favor.
When they walked into the restaurant after being searched for weapons, he noticed the DeLuca family was already seated at a large table in the middle of the restaurant. Sweetie squeezed his hand, and he put his arm around her for comfort. He knew that seeing her family right now was probably unnerving.
Vernon Bishop had aged. He had white specs in his beard, and his head was bald. The way his face screwed up when he spotted Boogie’s family instantly pissed Boogie off.
Valarie sat next to him, and Boogie could tell she was tired. She had puffy eyes and looked like she would rather be anywhere else. He appreciated that she took the time out to be here. It meant she really wanted Sweetie to see her granny, and that meant the world to Boogie.
Audra was last. She sat next to her mother and looked all business. She wore a navy pantsuit and had her hands folded in front of her as she peered at the DeLuca family.
When they reached the table, Tandy was the first to speak. “Valarie, it’s good to see you. I’m so sorry to hear about Ms. Lucille. Give her my love.”
Valarie offered Tandy a smile and a small nod. Boogie could see the ghost of a of friendship there, and he felt bad that they had to be torn apart because of two stubborn ass men.
Denzel walked up to Audra and held his hand out to her. “Nice to see you, Audra. Been a while.”
“Since graduation. Nice to see you too,” Audra said with a smile.
“This is my wife, Chloe,” Denzel said, gesturing to Chloe.
“Love your pantsuit, girl. You’ll have to let me know where you got it from,” Chloe said as she shook Audra’s hand.
Audra giggled. “I’ll write down the information for my personal shopper after this meeting.”
“Bet.” Chloe grinned. Leave it to her to make a friend in any situation. She’d been like that for as long as Boogie had known her.
“Enough with the pleasantries. The fuck are we even doin’ here?” Vernon spat as he eyed Zander. The old man looked like it pained him not to jump on his old best friend.
“Ornery as ever, I see,” Zander mumbled.
“Uh-uh. We ain’t doin’ this. It’s time for y’all to put this shit behind y’all so we can all move on,” Tandy said. Her tone was stern as she looked at the two patriarchs of the family.
“Long as he keeps the slick comments to himself, I will,” Zander said as he sat down.
That prompted the rest of the DeLuca clan to sit, but Sweetie kind of stood there awkwardly as if she didn’t know which side of the table to sit on. Boogie pulled her down next to him and kissed her cheek.
Vernon visibly shook with rage. “You’re a fuckin’ disgrace!” He slammed his hand on the table.
Sweetie jumped, and Boogie tensed in anger as he glared at Vernon. “Aye, my man. All due respect, you bet not speak to my lady with nothin’ but love from here on out. You feel me?”
