Epilogue
EPILOGUE
MEKAYLA
THREE MONTHS LATER…
“ A s your mayor, I want you to know that I have your best interest at heart. I’m going to do what I feel is best for the city and the majority of its citizens.” Uncle Mayor wiped his face then said, “Now that the proper shit is out the way, ain’t gon’ be no shit like last time. Next time, I’ll extradite yo’ ass to Beaumont before I resign.”
“Nigga, who the fuck you talking to?” Uncle Jasper asked. “It’s only Hendersons here.”
Several people rolled their eyes, and a few of us were chuckling. Uncle Storm frowned and said to Uncle Marcus, “Put that fucking barbershop and liquor store on the chopping block.”
This man was something else. He was great entertainment though. We were at a Henderson family meeting. There weren’t many citizens in Nome that weren’t family, but the ones who weren’t were mostly in the assisted living facility, and more would be moving into the apartment complex that was under construction.
Jacob set my bowl of goulash on the table then sat next to me. Uncle Storm and Uncle Jasper were still going back and forth, and no one was paying them any attention. “I hope it’s not too spicy, baby. I know that indigestion is already killing you.”
He rubbed my belly as I smiled at him. He was right about me getting pregnant that night, because I sure in the hell did. I was twelve weeks along and couldn’t wait to find out what we were having. Cassie was pregnant, too, so we were excited to be going through this journey together. I brought the spoon to my lips and blew it a little then tasted it.
“It should be okay, baby. It doesn’t seem too spicy. I have Tums for just in case.”
He smiled at me and took the spoon from me to feed me. Jacob babied and spoiled me so much, especially since we found out I was pregnant. I hadn’t gotten my own gas since we’d been together, and I no longer knew what it meant to take out the trash. Hell, I didn’t even know where the trash bags were located. LaTee was just as spoiled as I was, and she was happy to know she was about to be a big sister as well.
We’d gotten married at the courthouse as planned, but Mama Jen refused to allow our nuptials to go uncelebrated. She contracted the help of the other Henderson women, my mama, and Mrs. Moses, and they planned an amazing reception in a short amount of time. Everything was beautiful. Christian had served as Jacob’s witness, and Keonshay was mine. Our families had gotten close over time, and I loved that they felt just as comfortable around the Hendersons as I did.
“You know, just because Pam is pregnant, it doesn’t mean she’s handicapped.”
Jacob frowned at Uncle Storm. “Remember when Aunt Aspen was pregnant with the twins, you literally carried her everywhere. You and Mister Legend looked like suckers at Mister Zayson’s wedding.”
He frowned as his mouth twitched at the corners. “Uh huh, nigga. You didn’t think I remembered that, huh? I was like eight or something like that, but I remember that shit. Aunt Aspen had you eating out the palm of her hands. Had you licking the shit clean.”
He turned to Uncle Marcus and said, “Since Ace is doing pretty good, we don’t need two mechanics, do we?”
Jacob rolled his eyes as I laughed. Uncle Storm pushed him in the head and headed to Aunt Tiffany. She had gotten off for Shayla’s death, thankfully. Jess was never implicated. She was beyond happy about it, but sometimes, I noticed she still seemed a little jumpy whenever she saw a cop. Jameka’s mom was finally locked up for a while. Her court date came up, and they ended up locking her ass up for a long time. I believed Jacob had said she got sentenced to ten years.
There had been no more trouble with the Andersons since she’d been locked up, but nobody was relaxed about those people yet. Honestly, I felt like they would always be on guard when it came to them, and I couldn’t blame them. Those people had it out for them, and it seemed as if they didn’t care if it ended in their deaths.
Since KJ had won the million-dollar purse at the competition he competed at a couple of months ago, Cassie was on guard for their bullshit. Her mom was dead, but she was convinced that they had passed down the agenda like they were a damn terrorist group.
My phone chimed just as Uncle WJ went to the mic. I opened my text messages to see it was from my mama. Hey, baby. I made your favorite. Chicken spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad. Is it okay if I come over later to bring you some?
I smiled. She knew I loved her chicken spaghetti. Although I could make it for myself, it always made me smile when she made it for me. It made me feel special when I was a kid to know she was thinking about me. I responded.
Absolutely! Yum! You never have to ask permission to come over, Mama. Just text to make sure we’re home.
I smiled as I sent it, and she responded almost immediately. Okay. ?? Mrs. Moses is coming with me, if that’s okay.
Yes, ma’am, of course.
I looped my arm through Jacob’s and said, “Both of my mamas are coming over this evening with chicken spaghetti.”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“Keep on, and you are going to gain all my pregnancy weight.”
“Girl, I always eat a lot. You should know that shit. Pussy be dry as fuck when I finish.”
“Quit your lying!” I said as I hollered with laughter.
He laughed, too, as I covered my mouth. I’d forgotten that fast that Uncle WJ was at the mic. I was so damn embarrassed. Uncle Storm frowned. “I see that pregnancy brain done already kicked in. We tryna have a meeting, Pam.”
“Ain’t none of y’all listening anyway,” Uncle WJ said. “That’s okay. Me and Pops will split the extra profits we made this quarter.”
I chuckled as everybody started talking at the same time. They were listening now. He gave account information to Aunt Syn, Mya, and Nesha for their babies and let Cassie and me know about the savings accounts they opened for all the Henderson babies. Yendi was getting closer to her due date, but she already knew about the savings account since they had a two-year-old. I thought that was a beautiful thing they did. It assured that the wealth was passed through the generations.
I leaned against Jacob as he asked, “You want some more food?”
“Just some banana pudding.”
He leaned over and kissed my lips then stood to go fix me some dessert. After all I had been through, Jacob came into my life as a reminder that life was still good, because I was here to live it to the best of my abilities. However, life was even sweeter with him by my side.
The End