Chapter 15 - Kennedy #2
“It’s not going to come off, boo.” She told Jasmine the bad news as gently as she could. Jasmine glanced back at her grandmother who was walking toward them with her face pinched in agitation.
“I’m going to get in trouble. My grandma told me not to get dirty, stop running, and tie my shoes!”
Kennedy tried to hold it in but busted out laughing at the frantic tone Jasmine used, knowing she hadn’t listened to a single one of her grandmother’s rules. She could only imagine how Jasmine gave the older woman a run for her money and patience on the regular.
“You see what happens when you don’t listen?” Their grandmother started as soon as she was within earshot. “I told you not to get out here being wild ‘cause we got bible study. Now, I have to take your butt home to change. You just refuse to listen, Jasmine!”
“Sounds like me when I was her age,” Kennedy said, dusting off her hands as she got up. “I probably should’ve introduced myself a while ago, but I’m Kennedy. A friend of Jah’s dad.”
Jasmine gasped and stared at Kennedy like she was a wonder of the world before tossing her tiny arms around Kennedy’s waist.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Kennedy! I’m Jahleel’s sister. Did he tell you about me?”
“Of course, Jas! Jah talks about you all the time,” she gushed, hugging her back. “Oh my gosh, you are just the cutest thing, and so sweet like Jah. You’ve raised them so well.” Kennedy aimed that compliment at the lady who’d yet to introduce herself.
She didn’t miss their grandmother giving her a once over, and she wondered if she should’ve swapped out of her semi-cute outfit of hip hugging distressed jeans and a quarter sleeve shirt she’d tied in the back for a bit of belly action.
Her schedule at the salon was light since she had a doctor’s appointment that morning, so she’d even worn heels instead of her comfortable sneakers.
Kennedy noted the woman’s caramel, round face scrunching before finally deciding to speak up.
“I see that Jahleel’s dad has a type. My daughter liked to dress up wherever she went too. Tight dresses at award ceremonies. Heels at a park. I used to think it was for men until she started doing the same thing to the kids. If Jessica saw Jasmine’s outfit ruined like that, she’d have a fit.”
“It is a cute outfit,” Kennedy agreed, making a mental note to purchase Jasmine a few more of the two piece sets she could easily find in any department store. “Jahleel has a nice wardrobe, too.”
“Mhm, Jessica cared about appearances and whatever people could see on the outside, so they’d overlook what was on the inside.”
Taken aback by the statement she couldn’t decide was general or a slug at her, Kennedy simply smiled. She could tell the lady was a tough cookie to crack.
“My name is Ms. Neffie. Jahleel didn’t tell me that he was getting picked up today.” His grandmother gave her name, along with a complaint, before crossing her arms. “I don’t ask for much, but I’d like to know when he’s coming and going.”
“Yes, ma’am. Jah feels the same, and he always makes sure to call or text you. He didn’t know I was picking him up today, which is why I came over to ask if it was fine.”
“You came over to ask me?”
Kennedy frowned. “You are his guardian, so yes. We didn’t tell you in advance, and I would never just take him without your permission. I’m not his parent.”
“Well, maybe you’re not like my daughter or that dad of his. Someone actually has some sense in this situation.”
“I’m trying. I don’t get why Relic hasn’t had sat down with you yet to—”
“Oh, he has,” Neffie cut in with a snide tone.
“When my daughter died and I tried getting custody of Jahleel, he showed up to let me know that Jessica had him sign Jah’s birth certificate and that they’d gone down to the courts to give him rights.
A grandchild I’ve taken care of for most of his life, my child signed away to a man Jah barely knew a month.
Jessica was lucky I found out after she’d died, or I might have done it myself. Lord, forgive me.”
“Wait, so Relic technically has custody of Jah? Which means, he could take him anytime he wants but didn’t.
” A gradual smile spread on her face before she deduced, “He figured Jahleel was better off staying with you. Relic must think highly of how you’ve raised his son so far.
I mean, I can see why, but anyone else would’ve snatched Jah out of his home and not thought about what was best for the kid.
I’ve seen it done before, and it’s sad.”
Kennedy laid in on thick, pointing out how Relic had the means to take his son and separate him from his sister and grandmother but chose not to. She could see when it clicked for Neffie, but then the lady snorted a breath like she refused to give Relic a point for his efforts.
“That man holds Jahleel’s custody over my head like a weapon. If I disagree or challenge him about anything, he’ll take my grandson. I know he will.”
“Well, what do you disagree with? Let me know, and I’ll talk to him.
Excuse my language, but the nigga doesn’t scare me, and I’m for whatever is in the best interest of our future star over there,” she asserted with a point, glancing at Jah who was packing his bag while watching them like a hawk.
She gave him a thumbs up, and he grinned as his shoulders relaxed before he focused on his task.
“Did Jah make you talk to me?” Neffie pried, noting their exchange.
“No, ma’am. That’s why he looks so worried.
Jahleel loves you, and he loves his dad.
He wants everyone to get along, and I want the same because he wants it.
He’s lost a lot and deserves a whole family, not pieces here and there.
He misses his sister anytime he’s gone, and that breaks my heart, too. ”
“I miss Jahleel, too. He’s my best friend in the whole world!” Jasmine proclaimed, outstretching her arms wide. “And I’m sad he has a new mom and dad, but I don’t.”
“He has the same dad, Jasmine, but he just met him is all. He has the same mom, too,” Kennedy explained to her, straightening the hairball on her slick ponytail.
“Neither of you will ever have a new mom. My nephew’s mom passed away, too, and so did his dad.
It would make me sad if he said that, like he’s throwing his parents away just because they’re gone. ”
Jasmine gave a vehement shake of her head. “I would never do that!”
“Good. If you ever get a woman in your life you look at like a mom, just call her your bonus mom or her name is fine, too. Whichever you’re comfortable with. Never forget your real mom, though. Okay?”
Jasmine nodded with her face pinching at the crack in Kennedy’s voice.
Kennedy swallowed the lump lodged in her throat and blinked through her budding tears to put a smile on her face for the inquisitive little girl.
Koda would forever dredge up uncontainable emotions for her and to see Jahleel and his sister dealing with the same issues did something to her.
“Which was your sibling?” Neffie asked, gaining her attention. “Your nephew’s mom or dad?”
“His dad.”
“How long ago?”
“Going on eight years, and it still feels like yesterday at times. Some days are easier, and others are hell.”
Jasmine gasped, and Kennedy slapped her hand over her mouth before widening her eyes playfully as Jasmine giggled. Neffie gave them both reprimanding glances but didn’t correct her for swearing.
“Has Jah ever talked to you about my daughter?” she asked. After Kennedy nodded, Neffie pried, “Were they bad things?”
“Some, but I don’t think Jah knows it’s bad when he’s telling me. Nothing horrible or traumatizing, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Neffie visibly exhaled, and then her gracefully aged face morphed into a semblance of a smile. Kennedy would take what she could get.
She shrieked when Jahleel almost knocked her down, bum rushing her out of the blue before throwing his arms around her like Jasmine had done earlier. He did the same to his sister and grandmother while staring between them as if he was waiting for an update on their conversation.
“Brother, did you know Ms. Kennedy brother passed away like mommy?” Jasmine chose that detail to relay to him.
“Duh! I been knew that way before you did.”
She propped her hand on her hip but then lowered it just as fast, knowing her grandmother would chastise her about it. “What was his name then?” she quizzed.
Jahleel opened his mouth and then shut it, glancing at Kennedy after he realized she’d never told him.
“His name was Koda.”
The loudest squeal shot from Jasmine as she grabbed her brother’s arm to shake him while bouncing like a ball of pure energy. Jahleel looked annoyed, making Kennedy laugh.
“I love that name, Ms. Kennedy! It’s kind of like my middle name. Dakota. What’s your nephew’s name?”
“Tekken, and he’s a rap star,” Jahleel boasted, and she smiled. Her stare flitted to their grandmother, and Neffie’s eyes were trained on her with a small twinge of disbelief in them.
“That’s really your nephew’s name, Tekken?”
Kennedy laughed. “I know, it’s odd. My brother used to love the game, so my nephew’s mom used to joke about naming him Tekken. She called him that during the whole pregnancy, so when she passed after labor, Koda refused to name him anything else.”
“Wow.” Neffie laid her fingers over her lips in mild shock from the story and the memorable name.
“I know, and I’m sorry I’ve been telling all these sob stories since we met. Let me not hold you up. Jah, are you ready?”
“Yea, but can Jas come with us now that you and my granny like each other?”
“Slow down, Jah,” she said, holding out a hand as he frowned. “We just met, so let’s start small. Maybe I could take y’all for ice cream and hang out for a day.”
“Next weekend,” Neffie suggested, making Kennedy glance at her, surprised. “I’ll come with you all. Saturday since we go to church on Sunday.”