Rio stood. “I’m about to go. Oh, and I meant to ask you, who were you going to put in charge to take over for Jovanis?”
“Probably Wilde.”
His eyes widened. “Word? I thought you would’ve put Zayd in that seat.”
Noble shook his head. “I got other plans for Zayd.”
“A’ight. I’ll holla at you.”
They shook hands, and Rio made his exit. Noble continued plotting in deep thought about how he would get Tuck back.
Six
This stage was agonizing.
Irish stood in the middle of the living room, watching her entire house get packed up. Noble had come through and hired a moving company to pack her home and take her things to storage. The hollowness in Irish’s chest crept up her throat, making it ache. Before she had arrived, she coached herself not to cry. She wanted to be strong even if it was a façade. However, watching the pictures of her, Jovanis, and Ivory be placed in boxes left her despondent.
Margie: Irish, can I please have Jovanis’ ashes? I need something of my son since we didn’t do a funeral. Please consider it. I would appreciate it.
“Irish, do you want these?” Ivory asked, holding up a pair of Givenchy shark boots.
She looked up from the phone and said, “Yeah, I do.”
“You don't even wear them,” she retorted.
“I will one day.”
Ivory pursed her lips. “In hot-ass St. Parklynn? I don't think so.”
“I’ll take them,” Cali offered, entering the home.
Seeing her was like sunshine cutting through gloomy clouds. Cali had been a godsend, handling business on her behalf and being a supportive companion.
“Don't you have a pair?” Ivory shot.
“Yeah, but they're in storage, which means I’m not going through those boxes to find them.”
Irish chuckled when Ivory rolled her eyes at them and walked away. Cali looked around at the boxes and nodded.
“They not playing, huh? They got this big-ass house packed up so fast.”
“Yeah, I know.” Irish sat on the windowsill. “Is it bad that I haven’t gone into the bedroom? Seeing them put his clothes in the box would’ve broken me down. I can’t do it.”
“It’s okay.” Cali rubbed her arm. “That’s why they're here so you don't have to do it.”
“Thank you for being here for me. I know you’ve been dealing with your own issues so I appreciate you for real, Cali.”
“It’s no problem.” She leaned against the couch. “You were there for me when Rio was in a coma. How could I not show up for you?” Cali beamed. “Oh, I didn’t tell you this but I emailed my hiring manager and asked if I could push my start date back. She agreed.”
A knowing look covered Irish’s face. “Cali, you didn’t have to do that for me. I don't wanna hold you back.”
“Girl, stop.” She flicked her hand at her nonsense. “It’s cool. I told her it was a death in the family so she understood. I wanna help you cope. You don't have to do this alone.”
Irish was so appreciative of the people in her corner. For most of her life, Jovanis had been her lifeline, ushering her through different seasons. Cali had always been her best friend,and Noble was a blessing. She’d even leaned on Ivory when the weight of grief became too much to carry.
“Thank you…” Irish mumbled. “I have to go to the funeral home to sign some papers but… I think I’m going to let his mother have his ashes.”
“Wow.” Cali’s forehead creased, shocked by Irish’s plan. “I thought you said he wanted you to throw it in the ocean.”
