The bubble popped up, and I was waiting for a reply, then they disappeared. Essex returned with his weed rolled, and I claimed a seat in one of the empty chairs while we put the blunt in rotation.
My phone vibrated, and I picked it up to read her delayed response.
Shay: I’m so sorry. Nariyah just introduced me to her cousins.
Me: See, you gotta see the best in me.
Shay: I do. That’s why I love you. It does make me crazy sometimes. I can admit that. I’m going to work on that. I really don’t feel right about Nash knowing and his parents still being in the dark. Let’s tell them tonight after everyone leaves.
Me: Nah. Let’s tell them next weekend.
Shay: Oh, now you want me to wait?
Me: Nah, it’s not like that. I already have to have a heavy conversation with them after everyone leaves.
Shay: About what?
My head instantly lifted when I heard Elise’s voice not too far away. She changed into a bright pink bathing suit with a white coverall. I did not mind her modesty at all. Her body was for my eyes only.
“Wheee-ew!”
I whistled at Elise, and her neck snapped in my direction. “God damn, Elise. When you got out of them church clothes and put that on?”
Elise shot me a menacing glare and raised her balled up fist, making me laugh. That was her version of a middle finger, making it apparent that she was annoyed.
“Damn, she is fine. That’s Essex’s twin, right?” Nariyah’s cousin questioned me.
“Aye watch yo eyes unless you want to lose them motha fuckas!” I growled, sliding to the edge of my chair.
“My bad. I ain’t know y’all were…” He threw his hands up in surrender, and I realized I was tripping.
“We nothing,” I cut him off. Realizing I had more base in my voice than I intended. “But yeah, that’s Essex’s sister, and she’s off limits to everybody.” I tried to clean it up, but that was my first time ever hearing anybody admire Elise, and he pissed me off audibly lusting after something he could never have. Everybody else already knew not to fuck with her in front of me and Essex.
I refocused on my phone to shoot Elise a reply.
Me: When I went to delete the picture out of Nash’s phone, I saw his bitch ass daddy pressing him for money. And he been sending it to him too. He sent him $1,200 since they set up his Cash App about 18 months ago. That’s almost $70 a month.
Shay: OMG. That’s terrible. We can save our announcement for next weekend. That’s going to be enough for them to process in one night. I don’t want to add on to it. I’m going to say an extra prayer for Nash tonight.
Me: Lil nigga needs an exorcism.
Shay: Hush.
Elise dropped her phone on the pool chair, then slipped into the pool with Nariyah and those same cousins she was pressing me about. Essex and Nariyah had a massive backyard. Some people were in the pool, others were playing cards on a folding table, and the final group was lounging around on pool chairs around the pool. Nash entered the backyard with his buff assfriends. All of them played some type of sport. Football, baseball, basketball, or track. They were all between eighth and ninth grade and already built like they were playing in somebody’s league. They offered quick greetings, then went to the edge of the backyard and started throwing around a football.
“You’re really living the life, man. Wife, daughter, your son is a track star, and you have a big ass crib to host family,” I admired.
“Yeah, it’s still surreal to me. You couldn’t convince me that this would be my life before I met Nash and Nariyah. You better stop playing around like we ain’t getting older.” Essex passed the blunt, and I leaned in to accept it.
“Lord knows I’m trying.”
My eyes inadvertently landed on Elise while Essex stood and went back into the house. He returned after washing his hands and started pulling the meat off the grill. My future was so close that I could taste it. The party ended around seven o’clock because Nariyah’s people had evening flights to catch and Nash’s lil homeboys had to be up for school the next day.
Me and Elise cleaned up the kitchen and packed up the food. Nariyah descended the stairs after putting Nova down. She was dressed in joggers and a sports bra, showing off that baby bump. I lifted my phone and texted Elise.
Me: I can’t wait to have you waddling around here.
Shay: Slow down speedy. One step at a time.
