Chapter 61 Vincent
Vincent
Ashara goes to follow Ari, but I touch her arm, pulling her to the side before she gets to the stairs.
I lower my voice so only she can hear. “Let her have some space.”
She rolls her eyes. “She’s my sister. I know how to deal with her.”
“You don’t understand what she went through out there,” I tell her. “She’s probably just overwhelmed.”
“Okay, but that’s my twin. If nobody else in the world can understand her, I can.”
I take a step back. “Aight. You got it.”
Last thing I’ma do is argue with her over it. I’m done arguing over shit that ain’t gon’ matter tomorrow.
I glance over at the room full of people who came here to help us celebrate our baby. I look over the decorations, the food, the gifts. I feel lowkey out of place without Ari next to me, but I step in and talk to our guests, making small talk, answering questions.
Jada tugs on my arm. “Uncle V, come take a selfie with us!”
I already know this shit gon’ end up on every social media site on earth, but it’s all good. They’re family now.
I kneel and take a few pics with them. Their giggles are contagious and spirit lifting, I gotta admit. Then I find my aunt and sister in the crowd and thank them for coming. I can see the lingering grief on their faces, but maybe new life will ease the pain of death for them. And for me.
I spot Mr. Williams and my Uncle James standing on the back patio. I walk out there, exiting the sliding doors with a smile.
“’Preciate y'all coming.”
After daps, we settle on the furniture and stare out at the pool.
“How you feelin’?” Mr. Williams asks.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “We’re getting close. Ari’s a trooper. I’m keeping’ it together. It’s all good.”
He nods. “Well if you ever need to talk, you got us. We’ve done this before.”
James claps me on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, V. You been handlin’ your business. I know it ain’t been easy.”
“It ain’t.”
“Yeah. I’m proud of you,” Mr. Williams says, and that just might be the best compliment I’ve gotten in as long as I can remember.
I feel relieved.
“How do y'all see us?” I ask, cuz I gotta know. “Do y'all feel like we was on some grimy shit? Be honest.”
Mr. Williams looks at my uncle like he wants to save his comment for last, which makes me feel like he got some negative shit to say.
But I asked.
Uncle James crosses his arms in front of him. “I’ve always loved Mari. You know that.”
I nod.
“But…this might sound bad, but there’s never been a single moment that I looked at her and saw your wife.”
I tilt my head, frowning at that. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He shakes his head. “Sweet girl. Cute. But I just never saw it for her. It’s like…” he trails off, thinking. “You can’t have two clowns in a marriage. Somebody gotta have some sense.” He looks at Mr. Williams. “Right?”
“Yeah.” Mr. Williams laughs. “He ain’t lyin’.”
“So I’m the clown in this scenario?”
James shoots me a look. “Come on now, V. You know good and damn well you were a mess.”
Mr. Williams slaps me on the shoulder. “Don’t take it so hard. Every grown man done had a knucklehead phase.”
James nods.
“As for me,” Mr. Williams says, “I didn’t know you. But I know my daughter. She’s smart. She’s independent. She’s in control. At all times.”
I nod, laughing at the truth of that.
“When I saw her walk in with that belly, I assumed you had to be some kinda solid. My girls don’t take no mess. They ain’t about the bullshit. They get that from their mama.”
“So y’all are saying…what, exactly?”
“In a strange way, y’all fit,” James says, and Mr. Williams nods his agreement. “You’re a different person with her. You're a man with her.”
Jenae comes running outside then, her smile wide. “One more thing, Uncle V. TikTok dance. Please?”
Mr. Williams shakes his head. “Go find somethin’ to do.”
“It’s okay,” I say as I stand. “Let’s do it.”
She squeals, runs inside, and then out comes her, Jada, and another girl I don’t remember meeting.
And just like that, I’m doing a ridiculous dance on the lawn, laughing, spinning, feeling silly as fuck. But underneath the silliness, I feel lighter. Happier. Alive.