Anthony #3
I dipped my head hiding my smile, because Antwan was the first one to say that to me years ago. He had multiple Super Bowl rings and even more divisional rings so I had a lot to catch up with if it meant I was going to prove myself.
“Don’t let him hear you say that.”
“He agrees with me. And that’s saying a lot since I don’t know a lot about football but I know he’s one of the best wide receivers in the league. My grandson is gonna be in the Hall of Fame and you’re going to be right there with him a few years later.”
I swallowed hearing the praise again and felt my eyes water. I felt that familiar weight of wanting to live up to everyone’s expectations and even my own.
“High praise.”
“I’m just calling it like I see it. Then you can get yourself a girl to settle you down from jump so you don’t have to shake that ain’t shit off you like your brother did.”
My head shot up as I laughed and that lady had the nerve to have a serious look on her face. “Grams!”
She folded her arms and cocked her head like she wasn’t playing with me.
“What? That boy was looser than an eight month grown out weave. I mean Rye wasn’t much better but she was at least better.
And choosy cause I see some of them hookers that hang around y’all.
And a few that Rye had to put paws on. He needed to make better choices.
But I’m glad he’s serious about being the best he can be for my baby.
It’s been all these years and he still goes to get checked out every six weeks just in case. ”
My brow rose cause Grams was talking way too matter of factly about my brother’s health. “How do you know that?”
Her smile was soft and it had me feeling like she might drop some bad news on my ass.
“Because your brother has no issue with telling me that he wants nothing more than the best for my baby and that’s how he shows it.
By being honest. He ain’t doing nothing wrong but it would devastate him if his past hurt his wife.
He might have been an asshole before but it was to protect himself from everything, even the good.
Don’t make the same mistake that he did by trying to protect yourself from the good things too. ”
“Never thought I’d see the day that he was so gone over somebody. But Sarayah is special. You did good, Grams.”
“And they will say the same thing about you when I’m done.” She reached over and patted my hand as if I were her next pet project.
“Grams, I’m grown.”
“No, you’re old, but that don’t mean you’re grown yet.”
I had to weigh her words because she wasn’t wrong. “You know what, you’re right.”
“I know I am. I’m old and grown. But I’m still fine.” She flipped the hair she had layered into a bob over her shoulder with an arrogant smile on her face.
I leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You sure are, Grams.”
“You lucky I’m not about fifty years younger. I’d hurt you, boy. But I’ll let some other lady be lucky enough to have all your goodness and your goodies.” She pinched my cheek and I just knew Grams had been hell when she was younger.
“Grams!”
“Are they baddies? Lord I’m glad you’re not dragging them tots in here the way I’m sure your brother used to but if your dingaling doesn’t work some girl is gone make you a trick, Anthony.”
My mouth was open in shock before I bust out laughing ‘cause this old lady was wild. “Grams, how did we even get to this?”
She shrugged her wrinkle-less face looking unbothered. “I don’t know; it’s your dingaling that doesn’t work.”
“It does work!”
I don’t know why I felt the need to protect my dick’s reputation to this old lady but I did. Scratch that, I did know. Grams would be somewhere slandering me and him if I didn’t speak up now.
A big grin spread on her face like she’d gotten my mind together the way she wanted me to.
“Well good! Now we’re back to the top-tier women.
Make sure she’s pretty and she’s got to be smart.
And for all that is holy make sure she has her own money.
Nobody wants you to marry a pretty fool, a broke baddie, or somebody you got to sleep with in the damn dark.
My granddaughter in law can’t have me talking about how well-dressed my future great-grands are cause they look like gremlins. ”
I ran a hand down my face giving her a chance to retract any of what she said. When she sat there with her hands folded I had to ask the obvious question. “Grams, you been smoking today?”
Her neutrally painted lips widened in offense and her eyes widened at me innocently.
“Of course not. The doctor said it’s bad for my lungs.”
“Okay, ‘cause for a second—”
“I ate my medicine the way you’re supposed to.” She stuck her tongue out like a kid and had me cracking up.
“Grams…you wild.”
She shrugged her shoulders at me because she knew I wasn’t wrong. Grams reached over and slapped my leg.
“I know I am. Now come on. I done spent all this time talking to you about foolishness and the is probably done. We need to go eat so you can do whatever it is y’all be doing during the off season.
Greatness ain’t gone keep waiting for you to come and achieve it, Anthony.
This is your year so let’s make this shit good. ”