“Yeah, I wish he could’ve seen it,” Ivory added.
Irish spotted Uncle Mel and Uncle Fish steering through the crowd. Uncle Mel was the first to reach her as he exhaled a deep breath. Noble watched them closely, looking between her and them.
“How you feeling, Big Red?” Uncle Mel asked, calling her by the nickname he’d given when she was younger.
She shrugged. “I’m sure you can imagine.”
Uncle Fish nodded. “I know you talk to the police already but did they follow up?”
“They called this morning. Said they had a witness statement but nothing really concrete.”
“Damn,” Uncle Fish gritted. His orbs were reddened, unveiling he’d been either crying or was high.
“Look, I want you to meet us at Margie’s house tomorrow so we can help you out with the funeral arrangements.”
Irish cleared her throat. “Well, that won’t be necessary. Jovanis never wanted a funeral.”
Uncle Mel’s head reared as his eyes narrowed at her. “What you mean? We gotta have a funeral for my nephew. You can’t just put him in the ground without a proper goodbye.”
Noble scratched his beard and tucked his lips between his teeth. Irish saw him holding back from entering the conversation.
“I’m not putting him in the ground. I’m cremating him.”
Uncle Fish’s eyes bucked. “What? Nah, you can’t do that. You gotta give that man a proper burial. At least for his mama’s sake.”
Irish was adamant about respecting Jovanis’ wishes. Just because they wanted a big production, she wasn’t going to fold.
“Listen, I understand y’all want to send him off your way but he gave me specific instructions, and I plan to do exactly what he wants.” Irish made it clear.
Uncle Fish rested one of his hands on his hip. “But his mother deserves to bury her son.”
“The mother that threw him away at age ten? That’s the mama you're talking about? The one who made him feel so unwanted?” Irish ranted. “You want me to honor her wishes? Yeah, right. Jovanis wouldn’t even allow me to do that, so the answer is no.”
“Aye, you don't even know the full story,” Uncle Mel accused.
Noble pushed out a deep breath as his patience wore thin but he didn’t chime in.
“Excuse me? I’ve been around since I was fourteen. I know every single detail of Jovanis’ life.”
“But that’s only his perspective,” Uncle Fish countered. “You don't know why my sister did what she did.”
“Van’s perspective is the only one that matters,” Irish argued, grilling him. “Who cares about Margie’s reasons to throw him to the wolves.”
Uncle Mel shook his head, blowing out a frustrated breath. “You on some bullshit.”
“No, niggayouon some bullshit,” Noble finally interjected. “Are you fucking hard of hearing? She said she ain't having no funeral so deal with it. The fuck.”
Irish gripped his arm tighter, hoping he would catch her cue to calm down.
“Who the fuck are you?” Uncle Mel bucked up but Fish got in front of him.
“Aye, not here. Calm down,” he advised Mel.
“Yeah, not here ‘cause you’ll get your bitch-ass laid the fuck out,” Noble warned. “Don't ever talk to her like that again.”
Uncle Fish’s eyes narrowed at Irish. “You move on quick, don't you?”
“No, she move on to better.” Noble snorted. “Now I’m trying to be respectful but I don't mind turning this memorial into another homicide scene.”
