“Woman trouble?” Aunt Myra questioned. “Now, what have you done to upset my girl?”
“Me?” I shot back. “Why does it have to be something I did?”
Ol’ School shoved a fork into his cabbage. “Because fucking up is what we do as men. It’s just our way.”
I dropped my shoulders, feeling the need to come clean. “I may have canceled some plans we had, at the last minute. But I had to take care of some business.”
“Sounds about right,” Aunt Myra said. “Sounds like you’ve got some making up to do.”
“Yeah, I do. But I’m not sure if I should just leave things alone or?—”
My aunt shook her head. “Nah, that young lady seems like the type that needs instant reassurance, so I suggest you get things resolved today.”
“You think so?”
“Yep,” Ol’ School agreed. “The sooner you get back in her good graces, the sooner you can get back under the sheets.”
“Now, what makes you think we’ve been under the sheets, old man?”
“Oh, y’all have definitely been under the sheets,” my aunt teased. “The way you’re over here all emotional...there ain’t no way y’all ain’t been getting it on.”
I frowned.
The fact that I was having this conversation with twooldpeople, made my stomach turn a little bit.
“First off, I’m not emotional. Second, how about you not mention anything about anyone getting it on around me?”
“You’re more emotional than I’ve ever seen you over any woman.”
“That’s true,” Ol’ School chimed in. “You’ve been staring at your phone like a lovesick puppy the entire time you’ve been here.”
I laughed. “Y’all are tripping. Ain’t nobody doing all that.”
“You definitely are. But it’s all good. Love looks good on you,” Ol’ School said. “Maybe now you’ll put your energy into that instead of bothering me every damn day.”
“Nah, nothing’s going to stop me from checking up on you. Someone’s gotta do it.”
“Speaking of which,” my aunt said as she leaned against the table, eyeing Ol’ School. “Where’s your family? Are they coming by later to spend your birthday with you?”
Instantly, his face saddened. “I’m not sure. I called my son yesterday and left him a message, so anything is possible.”
I sucked my teeth, trying to hold back from saying what was on my mind.
“What’s that all about?” My aunt asked.
“Nothing.”
Ol’ School shrugged. “He’s not too fond of my people.”
“I see,” she replied. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m pretty sure he has a reason. Oceanalwayshas a reason.”
“I guess he has a right to feel that way. My son and I haven’t talked in years.”
“Really? Why?”
“You guys ready for some cake?” I asked, not wanting to hear the story he was about to tell.
My aunt looked at me, and I lifted my brow, letting her know to dead the issue.
