I leaned back against the wall near the entrance, waiting for Grandma Lettie’s arrival, along with everyone else in attendance. Aura stood across from me behind his fiancée withhis hand wrapped around her waist protectively. Next to him, Enzo stood with his family –– Thyri to his right holding his hand, KJ on his left, and EJ in front of him. Watching my cousins, who I’d never seen in committed relationships, with women who were the complete opposite of the two of them made me think about Adai.
We had different personalities and at times a different outlook on life, yet we complemented each other well. Adai just made shit feel right. I guess that was the reason I was so fucked up behind her deception. It just wasn’t her. It wasn’t us.
“Alright, y’all,” Kyiris spoke, walking out of the crowd. “She’s coming in now.”
The place went silent as we stood still, waiting for the door to swing open. A second later, it did.
“Surprise!” The whole room erupted.
G jumped back, and her hand went straight to her chest. “What the hell?” she said with her eyes wide.
We all burst out laughing. Key was the first to reach out and hug her. G needed it too because by the look on her face, I could tell her heart was racing.
“Y’all ass got me good this time,” she let out, laughing and wiping her tears away.
Everyone took their turn, wishing her a happy birthday and smothering her with love. I was a part of the last group to love on her once she was able to fully get inside the hall.
“Happy birthday, G.” I kissed her cheek and handed her an envelope.
“Thank you, my baby.” She pulled me in for a hug that seemed to linger more than the others, like she knew I needed it. “Grandma love you, Pryce. Thank you for making it.”
“I love you too, G.”
Pulling back, she flashed me a smile then a wink. She knew something. I just didn’t know what. Once everybody had gottena hug, kiss, and a ‘not they done got you to come outside’, the room settled back into what Sullivan gatherings were known for — a vibe. I was heading back to my seat when Enzo walked over and threw his arm around my shoulder.
“Come here real quick, cuzzo.”
He guided me over to the bar where a few of my cousins, my dad, and my two uncles were huddled. By the looks on their faces, I could tell they were talking about me.
“What?” I said once we were close.
Everyone laughed.
Aura was the first to speak. “Y’all raise y’all glasses, so we can take a shot to the Grumpy Man himself.”
“For what?” I questioned.
“It’s a celebration for the new Sullivan addition.” Aura nodded toward me like I already knew they had this planned.
I squinted, scanning each of their faces one by one, starting with my father. I knew I hadn’t told anyone the news. He shrugged like he was just as clueless. Then, Kyiris appeared out of nowhere, dancing over to us with a drink in her hand.
“What we toasting to, y’all?” she asked, all lively.
“The baby,” Enzo said, grabbing a shot glass with brown liquor in it from the bar and handing it to me.
“How y’all know about the baby?”
“Huh? Here I come, Grandma,” Key said and tried to break out.
I stopped her before she could. “Nah, Ms. TellItOnTheMountain.” I squeezed the back of her neck, and she laughed, making me smile. “Why you tellin’ my damn business?”
“Aye, unhand my niece, nigga.” My father pulled her out of my grasp.
“Yeah, unhand his niece, nigga,” Key echoed, standing behind him.
“You don’t know how to hold water.”
She stuck her tongue out and scurried off.
