Page 6 of Beacon Grove Chronicles 1: Hassan & Sylvia

“She’s always been a sweet kid but I was in school with Jerica and JJ, not Jasmine. I wouldn’t have expected to go to her wedding and I think it’s weird so many people want to go just because they think it’s fancy.”

I nodded slowly thinking about the extra shit that Yacouba had requested for the wedding that the family had to coordinate bringing in. I was part of the staff and part guest and I’d thoroughly enjoyed myself. “It was that.”

Sylvia’s smile was wide and it was confirmation that she’d kept her pure heart despite how hers was probably breaking.

“I’m glad she had a good day. She deserves it after that shit she went through with David. He’s lucky he’s in hell because I was hoping he could live to see her living well.”

“That’s a nice thought to have about someone you don’t really fuck with.”

“Am I supposed to be angry that she’s happy? She’s a good person and at least now I can look at her situation and have hope.”

My brow arched and I couldn’t fight that my mind and body were reacting to the tone of her voice. “Hope?”

Sylvia’s smile turned dreamy and she got an even softer sound to her voice. “Yeah. To survive the fuck niggas named Dave or David. Maybe I should reach out to her when she gets back from her honeymoon for some tips.”

“You trying to get your groove back already?”

“It’s not even a groove back or a lick back thing. I’m ready to live for me and no one else. I will always put my kids’ needs ahead of my own but it’s nice to dream about being considered for once.”

Our food was sat down in front of us and a fresh round of Black Shirley Temples replaced the old. I gave a nod of thanks before I went back to looking at Sylvia. She had her head bowed giving thanks over her meal and I remained quiet out of respect. When she looked back up I didn’t bother to hide that I’d been staring at her.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Hassan?” She picked up her fork and I kept my eyes on her wondering if I was being too intense. The lsat thing I wanted was to make her uncomfortable but I also didn’t want her to miss that I was into her.

“No reason. Just admiring the view.”

Her head fell back and she laughed loud enough to draw the attention of other patrons. If anyone had a problem I’d make sure they forgot it immediately. No one was about to steal her joy. “Not you flirting with me.”

“Nope. Just being honest. Break bread with me, Si. We’re doing the catching up thing so let’s do that. I need an unbiased opinion on how the family is keeping up standards around here.”

“If this is the kind of catching up you like to do, I can’t let you go another twenty years without seeing me.”

Her words had me stuck because the little things she was saying made me think Dave was slacking all the way off. As badly as I wanted to ask questions, I didn’t want her mood spoiled.

“Twenty years won’t happen again, baby, I promise you that.”

“You don’t have to be shy, Hassan. Hell, I probably need someone to talk to who will be even slightly more objective than my family.”

“I ain’t the nigga you need to speak on this with then.”

Her face scrunched in confusion and I wondered how much plain I could say what I was thinking. “I know you’re not advocating for me to talk to Dave?”

“Hell no. I’mma throw dirt on that man’s name every chance I get so that slightly more objective desire disqualifies me completely. I’m biased as a muthafucka.”

She giggled loudly and the sound went straight to my heart. It didn’t hold the weight of the pain I was sure she’d been carrying around all day despite the way she’d carried herself. Her resilience to show her face in public after going through what she did was admirable but I was thankful she was letting the stress ease up off of her.

“At least you’re honest.”

“Always. Especially about this.”

“I really appreciate this. I haven’t been out and dressed up in a long time. It feels good to feel like me again.”

“I heard that people can lose themselves sometimes when they grow up.”

She laughed again, and the sound was quickly becoming my new favorite. “Why do you sound like you haven’t?”

“I haven’t hit any of the markers of what people would consider me being an adult. No wife. No kids. Not settled and my career path got cut short. Damn, am I a bum?” We both laughed and it was easy to be playfully self-deprecating with her. I knew who I was and living off a woman would never be my style.

“Stop it! None of that shit makes you an adult. It’s just markers that society tries to give you so that you can feel better or worse about your life’s choices. None of that shit means anything if you’re happy. Are you?”