Chapter 9
A Party With The Sullivans
By the time I left the mall, my arms were burning, and I’d decided that my last minute shopping days were over.
Between the long lines and the fighting over sales, celebrating Kwanzaa didn’t sound too bad.
My trunk was packed with a little bit of something for everyone.
I’d picked up a few body care products to send to my mother and sister, a skincare set that Danae kept hinting at, a robe, slippers, and shaving kit for my dad, and a car set for EJ that I couldn’t pass up.
I even walked out with something for Enzo because it just felt like the right thing to do.
Time had gotten the best of me, so I had to change courses at the last minute.
I texted Enzo that I wouldn’t be able to make it to see EJ and asked if it would be okay if I brought the gift I’d picked up for his cousin to the party.
He agreed, letting me know that there was no rush for me to get there and to drive safe.
I thought that was cute. Him inviting me and KJ to his family gathering was cute too, considering that he’d been heavy on my mind the past two days.
His generosity spoke volumes, and I wanted to thank him ten times over for aiding in the transfer of my father.
Watching a man spring into action while you were in distress and actually get shit done meant a lot.
Sullivan Manor was beautiful. I could tell that his aunt had put a lot of thought into the place, from the decor and cleanliness, down to the way you were greeted on arrival.
Parker Jewish didn’t hold a candle to all Ms. Fawn had going on at Sullivan Manor.
It was clear that my father had gone from the projects to the penthouse of rehab centers.
Ms. Fawn gave me the full layout and had a treatment plan in place for my dad that I was fully on board with.
She even let me know that she would personally see to it that my father was doing his PT three times a week and walking daily.
I caught the twinkle in her eye when she spoke to my father and the way she rubbed his hand lovingly.
She still had a thing for her high school sweetheart, and I was sure that once my daddy was back at one hundred percent, he’d be back to his same charming self.
Finally making it home, I balanced the bags on both of my arms and shouldered the door open.
When I walked in, I could see KJ pacing the living room floor with his head down.
His phone was in his hand on speaker, and by the way he was burning a hole in my floor, I could tell the conversation wasn’t pleasant.
I already knew who was on the other end before I heard his voice.
“Dad, what I…”
“No,” Kaleb interjected, “this is the part where you shut the fuck up.” His voice was sharp and tight.
Whatever KJ had done really had him pissed off.
“Just the other day, I’m tellin’ ya moms that she need to give you some room to bump your head as young men do when growing up, then you go and do some dumb shit, and for what. KJ?”
“I didn’t even do it.”
“But you were going to, right?”
Silence.
“Exactly. Don’t play me, KJ. You can’t play a nigga that already been in the game. I’ve been your age. You ain’t been mine.”
I closed the door behind me, and KJ’s head shot up, freezing mid-step.
“Is your mother there?”
KJ hesitated before letting him know that I was and walked over to hand the phone to me. Setting the bags down at my feet, I took it.
“What happened?” I asked him, and he just walked away.
“Oohhhkay. So, I’m assuming you’re gonna tell me what happened,” I said with the phone attached to my ear and my body heating up from nervousness.
“I’m not gonna go into detail because I handled it.” Kaleb’s tone had shifted. It was still heated but more controlled now that I was on the line.
“Really, Kaleb? KJ has two parents.”
“Yeah, well, just like you didn’t feel the need to tell me you went to The Bronx late as hell to get him, I don’t feel the need to divulge this. What I will say is if he’s not at school, practice, or Danae crib, that lil’ nigga is to be home until I say otherwise.”
“That don’t tell me nothin’, Kaleb.”
“Ain’t shit to tell other than what I said. I handled it. All I need you to do is be on board with what I just told you. Tell him I’m gonna call him tomorrow.”
The line went dead before I could say anything else.
“Rude ass,” I griped. I hated not being able to have the last word.
I sat EJ’s, Enzo’s, and his cousin’s gifts in the living room and headed to my bedroom to put the others away for wrapping later. Taking my coat off, I walked down the hall to KJ’s room. It was cracked, like he knew I was on my way, but I still knocked.
“Come in, Ma.”
I pushed the door open, and he was laid out on his bed, tossing his basketball up in the air.
“So, I’m not gonna ask what happened because your father made it very clear that it’s between you and him.”
He sat up and looked at me with a raised brow.
“Hey,” I threw my hands up, “sometimes I know when to back down. He said he handled it, so that’s what it is. But he also was very clear that if you’re not at school, Danae’s, or practice, you’re home. Pretty much what’s already in place.”
He huffed. “I guess I can tell my friend it’s a dub for the party he invited me to.”
“You guessed rightttt!” I yelled out like a game show host, only he didn’t find shit funny. “But I’m glad you brought up party.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“Cause we were invited to one. And you’re going. And we’re gonna match.”
“Oh, nahhhhh.” He waved his hands dramatically.
“Okay, I dragged that last part,” I said, laughing. “But the part about you coming, I meant that. So, go head and throw something on so you can step witcha mom.”
“Wait. Can I at least know whose party it is since you forcing me to go?”
I smiled. “Shower and change. We’re leaving soon.”
He stared at me, as I two stepped at his door, and shook his head. I saw a piece of a smile breaking through before he got up and headed for his bathroom.
And just like that, whatever tension there was in the air from his phone call with his father had loosened enough to get him moving. I had high hopes for tonight. He’d thank me later.
As I turned onto the block that Enzo had given me the address to, things started to look familiar.
I thought nothing of the address until this very moment.
We got closer, and the parking lot was packed with all kinds of luxury cars.
Some cars were double parked, while others were in designated spots, separated by valet cones.
As we drove farther in, a guy, who I assumed was security, directed us to a spot in the second row of the lot. This shit was a whole production.
KJ leaned forward in his seat. “Nahhh. This where the party at?” He pointed out, amused. “The diner?”
“Yes. The one Danae works at. This is so wild to me.” I glanced up, and the words SULLIVAN DINER lit up in big, red letters.
We’d visited the diner a few times to eat but not since Danae got her promotion. I would’ve never thought to put two and two together.
“Lemme call her.” I dialed Danae’s number, and she answered on the first ring.
“What you doing at my job, heffa? I told you I don’t work tonight.”
We all shared locations, so she knew exactly where we were.
“I’m here for a holiday party that Enzo invited me to… with his family!”
“Wait, Enzo is a Sullivan? Girl, the world ain’t never been that small. And wait, now I’m offended because I was banned from coming to the party and the family love me.”
“Who banned you?”
“Girl, Aura crazy ass. Talkin’ bout if I come to the party and I’m not his date, it’s gon’ be a problem. He don’t want nobody thinkin’ his woman single. Losin’ me so bad.”
“Oh, he’s a looney toon.” I cackled.
“No. He’s delusional and calculating as fuck. Then, he got the nerve to be the boss and finer than a mothafucka. It’s a deadly combination. That’s why I’m not giving in to his persistence. He’s an arrest warrant waiting to happen. You know I’m certified.”
“I thought you said his sister owns the diner?” I asked, puzzled.
“She does. They own a whole bunch of shit. When I say he’s the boss, I mean the boss of all bosses.”
“Ohhhh,” I dragged out, picking up what she was putting down. “Got it. Well, you need to come out anyway in case me and KJ get outnumbered.”
KJ snickered in the passenger seat.
“Why you laughin’?”
“Cause this the same party Cortez invited me to. And he’s a Sullivan.”
I blinked. “You lyin’.”
“Nah. Forreal. Look.”
He held up his phone where he had a text thread going with his friend, Cortez.
KJ had let him know that he couldn’t make it and said something slick about me that made me side eye him quickly.
Of course, like any teenager trying to get over, Cortez suggested letting me know that it was a family gathering at his aunt’s diner.
“This is insane,” I said, sitting back in disbelief.
“See,” Danae said, “everybody know everybody. Lemme get dressed. I’ma bout to come up there. Fuck what Aura talkin’ bout. What color y’all got on, so we can match?”
“Ahhh, hell na,” KJ groaned, and we both cracked up laughing.
“Watch your mouth.” I playfully mushed him. “We’ll see you in a minute, D.”
“Okay.”
I hung up, still laughing. Texting Enzo that we had arrived, I grabbed my purse and stepped out of the car to put my fur on.
I guess I was looking too good in my jumpsuit because instead of walking ahead of me like he normally did, KJ walked on the side of me, close like we were Siamese twins. He didn’t know it, but I loved it.
From the outside, I could see that the diner had been completely transformed.
The place was lit up, and I could see a big tree that I could bet was real, standing in front of the window.
As we made it up the steps, the door opened, and a heavyset man dressed in all black held his hand out to stop us.
The bass from the music let me know they were inside having a ball.