Chapter Three
Alphonso
Alphonso laughed when he was pulled into a hug from his uncle, LaMarkus.
Alphonso soaked up all the love that he was getting. His parents were just as affectionate, and no matter how old he got, he felt like a kid again.
“Look at you all grown up,” his uncle said when they separated from their hug.
“It’s only been a few years, Unc.”
“A few years, I could kick my brother’s a—butt for taking you away from me so young,” he said looking at Tamia who was fast asleep in Alphonso’s arms.
“At least we kept in touch, so there’s no harm done.”
“That we did,” LaMarkus said leading him into the other room.
“So, where’s everyone else? I told Nana I was coming.” Alphonso sat down on the couch and switched Tamia from one arm to another.
“They are all at Monique’s place.”
“Oh, that’s right she just had her baby, maybe I picked a bad time to come and visit.”
The second Alphonso drove into Vale Valley he felt the magic flow through him. It was so strong that he had to pull over the side of the road to collect his breath. After being away for so long he should have expected some kind of side effects, but not to the extent of what he had felt.
In his excitement to see his family, he’d forgotten that his cousin Monique had her baby a few days earlier and Grayson had gotten married on the same night. Once he’d pulled himself together, he’d drove over to the mayor’s mansion expecting to be welcomed by his grandmother. Although, he wasn’t disappointed to see his uncle in the least.
“Nonsense, it’s the perfect time.” LaMarkus smiled and looked at Tamia. “She looks like your grandmother.”
“Yeah,” Alphonso said looking down at his pride and joy. “She’s my world.”
“And she always will be.”
“Hold up, if everyone’s at Monique’s house, why are you here?”
“Well, two reasons, I wanted to be here when you got here, and I had to pick up some documents for the station.” He looked at his watch then looked back at him. “Speaking of which, I need to get back to work.”
LaMarkus stood, and Alphonso did the same. He was surprised Tamia had stayed asleep the entire time.
Maybe it’s the magic.
“Let me show you to your room,” his uncle said walking out of the room.
“All right.” Alphonso followed behind him and up the stairs.
“Mom didn’t say, but how long are you staying?”
“Ready to get rid of me already?”
“Hell no, I’m hoping you’ll stay for good.”
“I planned on a couple of weeks, but how about we play it by ear?”
“Sounds good,” LaMarkus said then showed him to his room.
LaMarkus left not long after telling him that everyone should be back soon and that he shouldn’t forget to call his dad. Alphonso didn’t mind being alone, would give him some time to get his bearings as well as get Tamia settled, even though she was still asleep. Tamia’s room was connected next to his, but Alphonso knew being in a new place she wasn’t going to sleep far from him.
Pulling out his cellphone, he pulled up his pop’s number. “Hey, kid,” Kayne answered. “I take it you’re in the Valley?”
