Chapter 28
A few weeks later
“Thank y’all for joining us tonight. It’s been a long time coming since me and Honey rekindled our flame, and it’s only right to reintegrate our families together,” I explained as I stood at the head of the table in the backyard.
There was a long row of tables pushed together for all of us to sit as one connected family. We’d decorated the backyard in a gold and black scheme. Honey had thrown down with the seafood boil style buffet. There was corn, shrimp, eggs, crawfish, king crab, blue crab, snow crab, mussels, clams, and sausage links. The tables were covered in plastic, and brown paper towels were in front of everyone. Some folks had gloves, but the true down south natives got their hands dirty with the spicy blend.
“I’m just happy to see my girl again. It hurt me deeply to be blocked out of your life.” Dayari addressed Honey.
Honey smiled softly. “I’m sorry, girl. I had to put me first. You and Marq are like brother and sister—too damn close to test those waters. We are up now, though. It’s time to make more memories.”
“You’re right. Add me into the auntie schedule with Jenifer and Chamille.” Dayari grinned.
“Definitely.”
I claimed my seat, and the music took over as we all chatted amongst ourselves.
“How serious is the relationship the second time around?” Mr. Hix asked.
I pinched the tail of the crawfish before twisting and removing it from the head of the mud bug. I sucked the juice from the head and then removed the spicy meat from the tail.
“I know for a fact I’m going to marry Honey. I would have proposed the day we crossed paths again. She deserves the best version of me, and I had to do a lot of soul searching and reflecting to be the man I am at this table with y’all tonight. Shit ain’t been easy, but Honey’s worth every overcoming every obstacle.”
Mr. Hix nodded approvingly—a simple bob of his head with a satisfied stretch of his lips.
Mrs. Hix wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin before she addressed me. “I appreciate the work you did within to be what Quis and Honey need. My girl has always had a soft spot for you, so I must admit… I was a bit apprehensive to see what happened when the two of you got back together. So far, I’ve loved the energy you two have brought back into the family. Long as you continue to give my baby girl your all, I support. Plus, I’m happy to expand our family to include all of the Kents.”
Aunt Dee grinned. “Thank you for that. I was getting a little jealous.”
“Why is that, girl?” Mrs. Hix asked.
“Y’all had all of Honey’s good cooking to yourselves. I craved Miss Janie’s cooking all the time. When I saw her packing those trays up, I was a lil envious.” Aunt Dee chuckled.
Honey’s smile faded a little bit as she looked away. I wiped my hands on the sanitizing hand towelette before I reached out and rubbed her arm.
“You want a breather?” I asked in a low tone.
She nodded.
“C’mon.” I stood up and stretched. I grabbed both of our shell bags and tied them in a knot. “We’re about to go get some drinks. Any requests?”
“You know what we like,” Chamille stated.
“Say no more.” I nodded my understanding of her request.
“We’ll be back, y’all.” Honey stood up and headed into the house through the back door.
We walked together into the house and washed our hands thoroughly. As Honey rinsed the soap off her hands, she began to cry softly. I dried my hands with a paper towel before I ripped one off the roll for her to do the same. I opened my arms for her. She wasted no time burying her face in my chest and holding me tight. Her sobs were quiet but strong. My shirt became damp from the number of tears she’d shed.
“Let it out, baby. I’m here. I got you always.”
Her sobs turned into gentle sniffles. She took a step back and grabbed another napkin to blow her nose. Once she was good to go, she tossed the napkins into the trash and returned to me.
“Thank you for letting me have my moment.”
“Grief isn’t a linear experience. There will be triggers. Aunt Dee meant no harm, I’m sure, but I know sometimes those memories of your grandmother can stir up some real deep emotions.”
She nodded. “I miss my favorite lady so much.”
“I know, baby. All you can do is continue to live the life she would be proud of.”
She poked out her bottom lip. “Gimme kiss.”
I licked my lips. “I got one better. Aunt Dee and Uncle Cee over here. They house is empty. We can hit up the corner store afterwards.”
“You’re so mannish.”
“It ain’t my fault you lookin’ good in this sundress.”
She shook her head. “As much as I would love to, I don’t want your seafood hands and mouth anywhere near my coochie until you’ve thoroughly washed both areas.”
I tossed my head back with laughter. “My dick wasn’t nowhere near the food.”
“My statement still stands.”
“A’ight, man. Whatever.” I pushed her playfully.
“Come on and let’s hurry up and get back. I need to dive into some more of those shrimps before they’re all gone.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
The party was going in full swing. After the seafood was cleaned up, the tables were spread out, and the speakers were turned up. The Kent and Hix families were having a blast. The shit made me smile. I was happy as hell to be up under my woman while our son played with his aunties. They were in a very intense game of freeze tag.
“I want another one,” I blurted out before I pressed my lips against the inside of her wrist.
“Another what? Crab cluster?”
“Another kid.”
Honey tossed her head back and laughed. The type of laugh niggas did when they were seated at a comedy show. She laughed so hard I was surprised her stomach didn’t start aching.
“What’s funny?” I asked with a frown.
“I’m not trying to have any other kids until I get my last name changed and a nice sized wedding ring put on my finger.”
“That can all be arranged.”
“Nasty.”
In the midst of my snarky response, Quis jogged over to me. He had run full speed and was gasping for air. I sat up straight and opened my arms. He climbed into my lap, and I rubbed his back until he could form a sentence without gasping for air.
“What’s up, kid?”
“Thank you,” he stated firmly.
“For what?”
Quis looked at Honey and smiled. “I don’t have to protect Mommy by myself anymore because we have you. Thank you!” He hugged me tight, and I wasn’t even going to lie. I shed a tear or two. I wiped my eyes and held him with the same power as he held me.
“You’re welcome. I want you to continue to feel that relief because I got you. Forever.”
“Like daddies are supposed to.”
“Exactly.” I kissed the top of his head.
“Quis! We’ve got the basketball out of the garage. Show me those new moves you were talking about,” Jenifer called out.
Quis grinned. “Okay, Daddy. I have to go play.”
Daddy.
My heart nearly burst from the pride I felt of finally upgrading from Mr. Marquise to Daddy. The shit was unexpected but gratefully appreciated.
“A’ight, buddy.” I set him on his feet before he took off toward his aunt.
I wiped my eyes again and turned to Honey who made the situation even worse. Her emotional ass had been silently sobbing through the interaction. I shook my head.
“Man, you gon’ make me cry for real. Chill out.”
Honey took in a deep breath and laughed as she wiped her face with her hands. “That was literally the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I might give you another baby tonight.”
I chuckled. “Don’t make no promises you ain’t gonna wanna cash in on because I’m ready.”
“So am I.”
“Mommy! Daddy! Come play with us,” Quis shouted as he motioned with his arms to join the game of basketball.
“Here we come.” I stood up and held my hand out for Honey to take. We walked over to the basketball goal and divided ourselves into two teams. It was aunties versus parents and child. Dayari had laced up some of her shoes and joined the game as well. We had a lot of fun playing ball. Everyone let Quis do his thing on the makeshift court. It was nothing but good vibes and genuine laughs well into the night.
Shit like this made me grateful for Honey. I didn’t have these moments growing up, but I was glad Quis got to experience things like this. I wouldn’t miss anything else in his life.