Chapter 12
My heart raced in my chest, and my palms became sweaty as we pulled onto the familiar street that led to the Harris family estate.
Uncle Mitch’s driver rolled the window down as we approached the security booth to confirm his identity before we were granted access to the property.
The wrought iron gates opened inward, and we slowly drove down the street.
A lot had changed since we drove off this street nine years ago.
There used to be five homes on the estate, but now there were seven. The houses had been repainted to various shades of grey and cream. Every driveway had different cars from the last time I was there.
“That’s my house,” Mikel pointed at the new house on the left side of the road. “That’s Sameer’s house.”
Sameer was Mikel’s younger brother. He was sixteen when I left. “He has his own house already?”
“Own house and a wife and three kids. He married Trina,” Uncle Mitch explained.
“Awwww, his high school sweetheart. I don’t know why I’m surprised,” I bubbled.
We pulled into the circular driveway that was connected to the home my grandparents used to reside in.
The front door swung open before we came to a complete stop, and my family poured out of the front door.
Uncle Mitch’s wife, Shakeena, had an infant on her hip.
I assumed that was Mikel’s daughter he mentioned.
My cousin Sameer, his wife Trina, and a slew of other distant relatives approached the truck.
Sameer pulled the door open and practically drug me out of the car.
He hugged me so tight, I stumbled out and he caught me.
“God damn Sameer. You going to kill her when we just got her back?” Uncle Mitch scolded him.
“I’m just happy you’re home, Milani. We all missed you,” he exclaimed, hugging me again.
I held him close, scanning the tearful faces of my family over Sameer’s shoulder.
Within a matter of seconds, I was sobbing again, thankful to be home, grateful for that moment.
Uncle Mitch laid everything out for me and answered all the questions back at the warehouse and showed me proof of everything.
I didn’t need to see proof; his word was enough for me, but I appreciated it nonetheless.
“My God, Milani. The beautiful woman you have grown into,” Aunt Shakeena complimented, spinning me around so she could get a good look at me. “We are so happy to have you home.”
“Alright, everybody, give Milani space to breathe,” Uncle Mitch shouted over the chatter, waving so everyone could step back.
“It’s okay, Uncle Mitch,” I assured him. “I want the introduction to the new additions to the family. I’m assuming that’s Mikel’s daughter Jessie,” I cooed, smiling at the baby Aunt Shakeena was holding.
“Yep, and that’s my wife Jericka,” Mikel pointed to the unfamiliar woman behind her.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I waved.
“Oh, girl, give me a hug. I feel like I already know you as many stories as Mikel has shared about you,” Jericka expressed, pulling me in for a hug.
That went on for a few more minutes before we went inside. My family had a feast fit for a seafood loving queen inside. Snow crabs, pastas, fried grouper, and anything else they knew I loved was prepared and positioned over warmers. We got washed up and sat down at the table.
The door kept swinging open as members of the Black, Newton, and Ellis families trickled inside.
I was bombarded with gifts, hugs, and the constant murmur of how much I’d been missed, how worried everyone had been.
Hugs lingered a little too long, and their tearful smiles were full of optimism.
I welcomed it all, grateful and overwhelmed.
On the drive over, I thought being on the property without either of my parents or grandparents would make me an emotional wreck.
However, there was so much love in the room that I pushed all of that out of my mind and enjoyed my family and their associates after nine long years.
I sat at the table next to Uncle Mitch when I finally had the chance to eat.
He finished his food just before me and disappeared.
Everyone who remained in the dining room sat around reminiscing on times before my mother flipped my life upside down and removed me from everything I’d ever known.
Some of the wives excused themselves to put the kids in bathing suits, leaving only those I was closest to in the dining room.
When Uncle Mitch returned, he sat a black folder on the table in front of me, my name engraved in gold across the front.
“What is this?” I questioned, slowly opening the folder.
“Your father’s assets. When everything happened, we did revoke your mother’s access to the accounts, but we put everything in your name,” he detailed.
“What? Are you guys serious?” I sputtered, reading the zeros at the end of the bank account. My eyes swiveled to meet my uncle’s gaze.
“Every dime, property, and business is yours. Part owner in the distillery, all of the real estate your father owned was maintained and renovated as needed. I always had faith we would eventually find you,” he leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you, Uncle Mitch,” I beamed, hopping from my seat to hug him.
“It wasn’t all me. Mikel and Sameer kept up your properties over the years. It was a joint effort.”
“Thank you, Sameer and Mikel!”
“We always got your back, cousin. Forever and ever,” Mikel promised.
They crowded around me and embraced me in a group hug. The front door came open, and the security ushered Mr. Luis, Mrs. Sierra, and Aunt Bunny inside.
“We haven’t been invited over here in years,” Mr. Luis noted, scanning the common areas. “I like what y’all have done with the place.”
“It’s good to have you guys over,” Uncle Mitch greeted them before hugging Mrs. Sierra.
“Thank you for having us,” she bubbled.
Watching them interact, I was thankful that there were no hard feelings once everything was settled. I felt terrible about Mr. Luis’ shoulder because Mrs. Sierra was going to be doing everything for him for a while.
“Well, the kitchen is in the same place. Make your plates, grab drinks. I’m getting in the pool with the grandkids. I’m the whole reason they know about a night swim. It’s very rare you’ll catch me in that pool when the sun is out. No sir,” he declared, heading up the stairs.
Just that fast, the table was empty, leaving me and Sneaux’s family in the house.
“Milaniiiiiiii!” Aunt Bunny squealed before leaning back to look at me. “We missed you dearly. I’m so happy that you’re back to mend my niece’s heart.”
“Me too,” I grinned. “I’m right where I belong.”
“I know that’s right.” Aunt Bunny’s phone rang and she rolled her eyes as she pulled it out of her purse. “Ugghhhh, let me find a quiet room to take this call,” she groaned, sashaying down the hall.
Aunt Bunny disappeared and I greeted Mr. Luis and Mrs. Sierra with hugs as well.
“Go ahead and take a seat, Luis. I’ll make your plate,” Mrs. Sierra stated, pointing towards an empty seat. Mrs. Sierra went into the kitchen to wash her hands, and Mr. Luis claimed the seat next to me.
“I’m surprised Sneaux ain’t made it here yet,” Mr. Luis pointed out.
“I’m sure she’ll be here soon. What do you want to drink, Mr. Luis? I’ll grab it while Mrs. Sierra makes your plate.” I offered.
“Tell your Uncle Mitchel to break out some of that good Cognac from his distillery before he gets in the pool,” he requested. “They haven’t sold any to my family in five years. That’s how petty things got in your absence.”
I placed my hand on my hip and smirked at him. “Now, Mr. Luis, you do know I was in the warehouse when the doctor gave you your aftercare instructions. I know you’re on antibiotics and pain meds for the next few days. Would you like some water or fresh pressed juice?”
“You’re worse than Sierra’s ass,” Mr. Luis grumbled. “Fine, water. I forgot your ass was supposed to be a veterinarian.”
“And I have eight years of medical office experience. I picked up a lot over the years,” I affirmed.
“Yeah, yeah, smarty pants.”
I laughed on my way to the refrigerator to grab Mr. Luis a bottle of water. Mrs. Sierra trailed into the kitchen behind me.
“Oh, I’m grabbing Mr. Luis something to drink for you so you can focus on making you guys plates,” I informed her.
“I appreciate you for that. You’ve always been the sweetest young lady,” she noted, placing Mr. Luis’ plate down on the counter, then turned back to face me.
“I’m sorry to hear about what you are going through with your mother.
I don’t know if you remember, you were so young, but my mother died of Alzheimer’s.
Regardless of the situation, I want you to know that I’m here if you need me.
I might not go visit her with you, but anything else I’m open to,” Mrs. Sierra raised her hands.
“Thank you. I appreciate that. It’s been tough, but I feel so much better now that I’m not doing it alone.”
“You’re not doing anything alone anymore,” she reached over and squeezed my shoulder.
“I know that now,” I nodded, getting emotional again.
Muffled screams and laughter could be heard beyond the glass door, and I looked out at my family.
I’d missed them terribly. “I can’t believe I ever doubted the love my family had for me.
I let my mother get in my head about everything and everyone. ”
Mrs. Sierra wrapped her arms around me while I came undone in her arms. “It’s okay, Milani.
Nobody expects their mother to behave the way yours did.
You were young, and that doesn’t matter now,” Mrs. Sierra broke the embrace to look me in my eyes.
“You’re home. You can’t live in the past. All you can do is move forward and never let anyone tell you anything different about those people out there. ”
“I know,” I blubbered.
Mrs. Sierra went to grab a few napkins and handed them to me. I gathered myself and cleared my face while attempting to slow my breathing.
“I also want to apologize for my behavior the other night. It was just shocking to see you, and I went into mama bear mode.”
“I get it. However, I want you to know that I love Sneaux. Always have and always will. I’d never do anything to harm her mentally, physically, or emotionally. She has always been my forever,” I professed. “I’ll never allow anyone to bring harm to her.”
“I heard you threw a dagger to protect Sleeping Beauty in Aruba,” she joked.
My hands flew to my face. I was so embarrassed, but she was able to pull a smile out of me. “I’m so sorry. I swear I didn’t know it was him.”
“It’s cool. I’m thankful it was a dagger and not a bullet or else we might be having a different conversation right now,” Mrs. Sierra shook her head.
“If you and Sneaux are really planning to move away for you to follow your dreams and become a veterinarian, we are going to need you to show us those shooting skills. My daughter can’t be the only protector between the two of you,” she noted.
“Oh, I know how to shoot a gun, too. I keep telling people that,” I laughed.
“I’m just saying. Last we heard, you ain’t know what to do with a gun. We can’t have a repeat of that.”
“I promise we won’t,” I assured her.
The front door came open again, and I heard Sneaux and Terrel conversing with Mr. Luis before she came into view.
They’d both gone home to shower and change.
Sneaux wore a pair of light colored denim shorts and a teal bikini.
Terrel also wore a floral pair of swim trunks.
Mikel slid the glass door open, and Terrel jogged over to him, abandoning Sneaux’s side.
Hearing that Terrel and Mikel weren’t even speaking was a shocker.
They’d known each other the longest and were thick as thieves.
I hoped they were able to rebuild their friendship with the family beef dying down.
“You went home and got cute for who?” I questioned, following Mrs. Sierra out of the kitchen.
“You,” she cooed. “They said we were having a welcome home party and to wear a bathing suit. I brought you one too.”
After placing the bottle of water down in front of Mr. Luis, I continued towards Sneaux. She pulled a swimsuit with tags on it out of her purse.
“Thank you, baby,” I pecked her lips.
“This has been a long time coming,” Mrs. Sierra noted.
“It really has,” her husband added.
“And we have waited too long to let anything come between us,” Sneaux commented, eyeing her mother. I felt her arm snake around my waist, and I settled into her comforting embrace.
“We have had a heart to heart, right, Milani?” Mrs. Sierra informed Sneaux.
“We did, and I appreciate you so much, Mrs. Sierra.”
“Of course, baby. I know I might not have acted like it before, but I’m so happy you’re home. Sneaux is at ease now. Go ‘head and get changed. Enjoy yourself. Everyone is here to celebrate you. You are so loved in Sand Cranes.”
“I am,” I sighed, realizing how many people stopped their plans to show up for me.
As the night continued, it was like I hadn’t missed a beat in Sand Cranes. I expected awkward, forced conversations with people who felt like strangers if I ever returned. Yet, I was met with the support of family and genuine love.