Me, Pressure, Renza, and Blaqson had been eatin’ good and drinkin’ even better. We stepped off to the side for a lil’ smoke break, talkin’ low and laughin’ while the liquor warmed us up. It felt good bein’ around my brothers like that, just kickin’ it and waitin’ on the moment that was ‘bout to change my whole life.
After a while, I almost forgot what we was even celebratin’ until I looked across the room and saw Toni talkin’ to my mama, smilin’ so soft.
That was when I knew I was ready. It was time.
Pressure must’ve felt it before anybody said anything ‘cause he clapped his hands loud and damn near shook the whole room before shoutin’, “A’ight man, bring yo’ ass on, Kay’Lo. We got somethin’ outside for you.”
The family cheered and laughed, and my heart started thumpin’ the way it do when I feel somethin’ big comin’. I looked at Toni and she nodded at me with that soft smile she saved for just me. I reached for her hand and brought her with me toward the back of the house.
When we stepped outside, the whole backyard was lit up with gold lights that reflected off the pool and the polished marble paths.
Then I saw six targets came into view, lined up across the grass like a challenge made just for me.
I started laughin’ ‘cause I knew my cousin was behind this foolishness.
Pressure stepped forward holdin’ a big rifle like it was a birthday gift. He held it out to me with a grin that made me shake my head.
“Since you love shootin’ shit up, nigga… here.”
The whole crowd laughed, and Toni covered her mouth behind her earmuffs like she couldn’t believe this shit. Even my mama shook her head and fanned herself like she been prayin’ her son would grow out of this part of himself one day.
I took the gun from Pressure, and he nodded toward the targets while passin’ out earmuffs to everybody else. Even the babies got some put on they lil’ heads. Toni adjusted hers and gave me that look she give me when she half embarrassed and half in love with how crazy I am.
I leaned down and kissed her, slid my hand across her belly, then turned toward the yard. I could hear Renza talkin’ behind me already.
“Look at this nigga. He ‘bout to act up.”
“Bet he don’t miss nothin’,” Pressure said like he was announcin’ a championship game.
Toni stood close to me with her hands tucked under her stomach while I held the gun. I squared my stance and looked at the first target. My breathin’ was calm and I felt steady in my fingers ‘cause I knew how to control a weapon, and I knew exactly what I was doin’.
I shot the first five targets quick, hittin’ dead center on every one while my family cheered and laughed.
Then I looked at the sixth.
The one that mattered…
The one that held the answer to everything my heart been tellin’ me these past months.
I lifted the gun, placed my finger on the trigger, and felt every single person behind me go quiet. My eyes flicked to Toni ‘cause I couldn’t help it. She was watchin’ me with her mouth openand, tears already fillin’ her eyes before she even knew what was comin’. I bit my lip ‘cause she looked too damn good standin’ there holdin’ my baby.
I turned back to the target. I pulled the trigger…
And the whole thing exploded in a giant burst of pink.
Pink dust shot into the air and floated around us like glitter fallin’ from heaven. Pink powder rushed toward the pool and across the grass. Pink smoke curled upward like a signal.
My heart dropped then lifted all at once.
A girl…
My daughter…
Before I even processed it, Pressure and Renza ran up on me so fast I barely got a breath out. Pressure grabbed me around the waist and literally picked me up and took off runnin’ across the yard with me like we was kids again, yellin’ loud as hell.
“Nigga you havin’ a girl! Kay’Lo got a damn baby girl!
Renza jumped around us hollerin’ and cussin’ like he couldn’t believe it either, and Blaqson was somewhere behind us yellin’ while the aunties screamed and the cousins cried and my mama covered her mouth like she been waitin’ for this day her whole life.
