Chapter 32
32
KOLBI
A fter a few more minutes of driving, we finally pulled up to the small house that sat at the end of a long gravel driveway. Its recognizable mint green paint couldn’t be missed along the tree lined property. Nine or ten cars were parked out front in the grass in imaginary parking spots just like they usually were on Sunday mornings. I’m not sure what prompted me to bring her to family brunch but once the decision came to my mind I knew I had to. There was something about bringing the two most important parts of my life together: my family and my girl. There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in me that worried about anyone inside the house saying anything about us being together. We mind our own business and take care of one another in our family.
“You ready?” I looked towards her and loved how she occupied any and all free space in my mind. Gone were the days where I would ponder anything other than her when I had a few moments in my day. Now, whenever I wasn’t working or with my friends, I was thinking about her.
“Where are we?” She looked to me and then to the house I’d bought for my parents after my first million dollar year. They had given up so much for me and my sisters growing up and I wanted to give back to them as much as possible. I tried to get them to move into the city to be closer to me, but they refused. ‘ Our family has lived on this land for generations and we will continue to do so ,’ they had protested. So instead of moving, we renovated the trailer I’d grown up in, donated it to a family in need, and then built them this home on the same plot of land that generations before me had grown up on. It wasn’t big or extravagant but it was enough for my parents and gave my grandparents their own space off the back so they could stay here too.
“We’re home, angel. This is my family home, brunch starts in fifteen minutes.” Her eyes turned into saucers and she started to pat down her hair as if it were sticking out in every which way.
“I’m meeting your family?” she squawked. Her green eyes darted from me to the house and stared at it for a few long seconds. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were taking me to meet your family. I would have worn something nicer!”
“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you because you’re perfect just as you are now. No need for fancy dresses or heels here,” I soothed, taking one of her hands in mine and rubbing the back of it with my thumb. “Now come on, I want to introduce my girlfriend to my family.”
I unbuckled my seatbelt and nearly leaped out of the car. Once on her side, I pulled the door open and helped her out. She wiped her hands down her skirt that didn’t need fixing and took the hand I was extending to her. As we walked up to the front door, I could hear the music blasting from the kitchen window on the side of the house and sounds of jubilant laughter on the other side of the door. A buzz of nerves suddenly hit me like a freight train behind my chest. I hadn’t told them she was coming just like I didn’t tell her where we were going. My hand hesitated at the doorknob, wondering if what I was doing was really a good idea after all, but before I could change my mind, the front door swung open and I was met with the figure of one of my sisters in front of me.
“Ahhh, look what the cat dragged in,” she teased before bringing her eyes to the petite girl standing next to me. “And it brought a friend I see.” I stepped forward and pulled my younger sister in for a hug.
“Happy to see you, too, T,” I said into her ear, her afro’d hair tickling my lips as I did. I swatted it with my hand and pretended to spit it out. “Girl, your hair is out of control.”
“Psshh, you don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. The bigger the hair, the closer to God, as they say.” She smirked and fluffed her hair after we pulled out of the hug. Turning towards Magnolia, she extended her arms and pulled her into a hug. They were a non-negotiable in our family. “I’m Tiana. My brother must like you a lot if he brought you to family brunch.” Magnolia’s body was stiff as my sister held her close and pulled away looking completely dumbfounded by her welcome.
“I hope he does because I like him a lot too. I wish he would’ve told me where we were going though, I would have brought something.” She shot me a glare as she threw me under the bus and my sister clucked her tongue.
“Big brother, you didn’t warn this nice girl that you were bringing her home to the wolves?” A look of fear grew on Magnolia’s face which Tiana and I both caught. “Don’t worry, they’re harmless. There’s just a lot of us and it can be overwhelming. Plus, this is the first time my big brother has ever brought a girl home. They’ll be all over you like flies to honey.” Tiana winked before cackling, her words not helping to dispel the look of fear on Magnolia’s face.
“She’s just playin’,” I assured her, leaning down to give her a peck on the cheek. Tiana’s eyebrows shot towards her afro at my public display of affection and pushed her lips out like a duck.
“Mmm. You must really like her. Come on now, everyone’s in the back.” She started to turn away but whipped around to face us once more. “And just so you know, big brother, Mama is in fine form today.”
I groaned and scrubbed my hand down my face. ‘Fine form’ for our mama meant she was fully rested and in full mama mode, wanting to know anything and everything about her babies. When she got like this, there were no secrets to be kept because she would pry them out of you as if her last dying breath depended on it. Tiana chuckled at my look of dismay and started walking towards the back of the house.
“Who is ‘ everyone?’ ” Magnolia asked in a hushed tone as we followed my sister down the hallway.
“My family,” I started to explain. “By the number of cars outside, it seems like it’s a good turnout today. Cousins, aunties, my sisters, maybe even a few neighbors who we call cousins even though they aren’t. Seems to me you’re meeting the whole lot today.” I gave her a reassuring smile as she took a deep breath. I was doing my best to mask my own nerves because the both of us being nervous wouldn’t help the situation.
The Afrobeats music grew louder as we approached the back of the house where the kitchen, living room, and screened in porch were located. The closer we got, the louder the laughs got and the more people we started to notice. I recognized everyone of course but Magnolia looked around at the sea of strangers, trying to take them all in for the first time. Her fair skin and long dark hair a stark difference from everyone packed into the back of the house.
“Mama, your chosen child is here,” Tiana called out as she passed the kitchen, heading towards a recliner in the living room.
“Girl, I wish you’d stop sayin’ that. All of my children are chosen to me. None more important than the other.” My mother didn’t turn around from where she was stirring something in a pot on the stove. A warmth of nostalgia hit me as she lifted the wooden spoon to her mouth and tasted the concoction inside. The same way she always had over the span of my lifetime. She did a little dance as the stew inside hit her lips, swinging her wide set hips side to side in pleasure. After setting the wooden spoon down on the counter, she finally turned to face me.
“My son, I’m so happy you’re here to join us this weekend.” With wide arms, she took a few strides towards me and pulled me in tightly. Mama was the reason we were a family of huggers. Not once did she greet someone without one. Her wide set body held me like a childhood blanket, welcoming me in with the warmth and love only a mother can give. Her cheek rested square on my chest as I towered over her.
“Mama, I come every Sunday, don’t play like I don’t.” I squeezed her back before pulling away. She beamed up at me with a smile and patted my cheek. Then, she turned to Magnolia who was standing next to us, watching the entire exchange with wide eyes.
“And who’s this pretty girl? Our Kolbi rarely ever brings anyone with him to family brunch. The few times he has, it’s been one of those boys he ran around with growin’ up. What’s your name darlin’?” She took both of Magnolia’s hands into hers and gave her a warm smile. Magnolia glanced up at me for confirmation and spoke.
“I’m Magnolia, Mrs. Vesey. It’s so nice to meet you.” Mama clucked her tongue at being called ‘Mrs. Vesey’ and some of the people watching the introduction laughed from around the room, knowing good and well how much Mama hated being called anything formal.
“You can call me ‘Mama,’ darling. Everyone does.” She winked at my girl and pulled her in for a signature mama hug. “We’re so happy you’re joining us this morning.”
“Thank you. I’m so happy to be here.” They held each other for a long moment and I didn’t miss when Magnolia seemed to relax into the hug and pull Mama closer to her. When she pulled away, Mama placed a hand on her cheek before speaking again.
“How’d you meet my boy?” Mama asked under her breath. She dropped her hands and grabbed Magnolia’s.
“Uhh…” Magnolia looked at me for guidance but I gave her a nod, letting her know it’s okay to be honest. “He’s doing some work for my family.” Mama nods her head as if she already knows—she always knows.
“And he’s treatin’ you good?”
I rolled my eyes and Magnolia laughed nervously.
“Yes, ma’am—” she squeezed her eyes shut to correct herself when Mama gave her a sideways look at being called ‘ma’am.’ “Yes, Mama, he’s treating me very good.”
“Good. If he ever gives you trouble, you call me up and I’ll put him in his place.” Mama glanced over to me and I just stood there with a small smile on my face, watching the two of them get along so well made my heart swell.
“I promise I will,” Magnolia said. Mama grabbed a piece of her dark hair and brought it to the front of her shoulder, sliding her fingers through it like I’ve done so many times before.
“You’re a pretty one. I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispered before squeezing her hand again and walking away. With the introduction out of the way, the onlookers went back to the conversations they’d been having before we got here. Magnolia looked at me with misty eyes.
“What’s wrong, angel?” I pulled her into my side and planted a kiss on her head.
“I don’t know. I just haven’t had a hug like that in a long time. My mother isn’t like that and, I don’t know, it was nice.” She shrugged underneath me and my heartstrings tugged. Hearing about the lack of affection she got at home made me sad for her. “It was like I was home, when she was hugging me. I felt so safe, so loved. I only just met her though.”
I chuckled from deep in my gut and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “That’s the magic of Mama’s hugs.” She smiled up at me with a warmth in her eyes I hadn’t yet seen before and looked around at the other people inside the house. “Come on, let me introduce you to everyone.”