11. Dynastie
“There’s my baby girl! I thought I’d have to come and kidnap you from that crazy boy,” my father said as we embraced.
“How you doing, Mr. Love?” Major said from a few steps behind me.
My father loosened his hold but kept his arms around me when he heard Major’s voice.
“I’m doing well, son. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
He released me and stepped around me to stand between Major and me.
“I thought it was time,” Major told him.
“Oh, it’s past time. Let’s go for a walk. Baby girl, your mother is in the kitchen. We’ll be back shortly.”
I didn’t object to my father talking to Major privately. He probably had a lot to say to the man who broke his only daughter’s heart, and who was I to interfere? As they walked away from my parents’ house, I went inside.
“Hey, Ma!” I greeted excitedly.
She stopped what she was doing at the sound of my voice, then turned around with her arms outstretched and a smile.
“There’s my baby. Major finally turned you loose, huh?”
We hugged as if it had been years since we last saw each other in person, but it had only been about two months.
“Yes and no,” I responded after kissing her cheek.
“What do you mean?”
“He came with me, and he went for a walk with Daddy.”
“Oh yeah? That should be interesting. You’re glowing, so I assume your reunion went well.”
We sat at the kitchen table, and my mother gave me her full attention.
“Overall, it went well, but we had some tense moments. I feel like I made it too easy for him. I wanted to give him hell, but when I saw him, most of the things I planned to say were forgotten.”
“Because you’re in love with him, and that took precedent. Did you get the kind of apology you deserved, and were you able to get some things off your chest?”
“He apologized a few times, and I believe they were genuine. When my brain was working, I said what needed to be said. He took the blame for everything that happened—or didn’t happen between us.”
“As he should have. He’s the one who screwed up.”
“He is, but after he explained, I somewhat understand.”
“Really? Do tell.”
“I don’t want to get into everything we discussed, but to keep it simple, the plan was for me to be in Onyx City for two years. When those two years turned into four, he wasn’t prepared for me to be away that long.”
“Didn’t you discuss your plans with him before making final decisions?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t say we discussed them. It was more like I told him about the opportunities, and he encouraged me to take them. When I got the internship, he decided that my time away no longer had an expiration date, but he would never ask me not to accept it.”
“Basically, your time apart became too much, and he didn’t know how to tell you?”
“Yeah. We’d always been honest with each other, or so I thought, but he never expressed how much the distance was wearing on him. When he messed around with his daughter’s mother, and she ended up pregnant, that was the beginning of the end for us.”
“A conversation between you two was necessary for you to completely heal from that situation, whether you choose to give him another chance or not. I know you two still love each other, and even if he doesn’t end up being my son-in-law, at least we can finally stop hiding our friendship with Marjorie and Godfrey. ”
“What? Y’all still talk to the Lloyds?” I questioned, shocked and confused.
“We sure do. Things were a little tense when everything happened because your father and I wanted answers. They were just as pissed as we were and gave Major a hard time for a while. Ultimately, we decided that whatever was going on between our children was none of our business and to stay out of it.”
“I can’t believe this,” I said.
“Can’t believe what?” my brother said when he entered the kitchen.
“Hey, Seem. I missed you.”
I stood, and my brother and I met in the middle of the kitchen for a hug.
“I missed you too, Dy. What are you and Ma talking about?”
“Did you know her and Daddy were still friends with the Lloyds?”
“Oh. You finally told her?” he asked my mother.
“Yeah. I figured since she came in here all smiles after spending the night with Major, it was time.”
Naseem frowned before saying, “Dang, Ma. I didn’t need to hear that, but to answer your question, Dy, I did know, but they told me not to mention it.”
I gasped, shocked and a little hurt that my brother kept something from me.
“Wow, Seem, I thought we were better than that, but I guess I know where your loyalties lie now.”
“Don’t do me like that, Dy. I didn’t think it was that serious.”
“You didn’t think what was that serious?” my father questioned when he and Major entered the kitchen.
“Wassup, Naseem? It’s been a minute,” Major greeted, but when he attempted to connect his fist with my brother, Naseem wasn’t receptive, so Major moved on. “It’s nice to see you, Mama Love. You haven’t aged a bit.”
Major moved past Naseem to embrace my mother. She hugged him the same way she hugged me, but with more excitement.
“Look at you. I can’t believe you’re that scrawny boy who was so in love with my baby. You look much bigger in person than you do on TV.”
“I’m not scrawny anymore, but I’m still in love with your baby,” Major said, turning to look at me.
“Nigga, you ain’t about to get back in my good graces that easily. Yo’ ass had my sister about to lose her damn mind,” Naseem said.
“Naseem!” my parents said simultaneously.
“Aye, I’m just speaking the truth. Y’all can kumbaya with this nigga if you want to, but he gotta prove to me he ain’t still on some bullshit. My bad for cussing, though.”
“That’s fair, man. I’d be the same way if a nigga hurt Freya. I realize Lovie ain’t the only person I gotta prove myself to, and I’m up for the challenge.”
“You better be,” Naseem warned.
My brother was no punk by any means, but I found it hilarious that he had no problem threatening a heavyweight boxing champion, although I wasn’t surprised because he didn’t play about me.
“What didn’t you think was serious, Naseem?” my father asked, forcing us to circle back to our previous conversation.
“Oh! Ma finally told Dy that y’all were still friends with the Lloyds.”
Major looked just as surprised as I did when my mother told me.
“Word? That’s definitely news to me. My parents never mentioned that y’all were still friends. As a matter of fact, they were very intentional about reminding me how I messed up your friendship, and I swear they just said it a few weeks ago.”
“I guess they fooled you,” Ma said, and we all shared a laugh.
“Ma, what’d you cook?” Naseem asked, changing the subject.
We spent the next few hours with my family, although Naseem didn’t stay long and ended up taking his plate to go. As soon as he left, I got a text from him.
Seem:
I know you love him, and I’m sure he loves you, but be careful with that nigga. Make him work a little.
Me:
Okay. Love you.
Seem:
Love you more.
When we left my parents’ house, and before we pulled away from the curb, I wanted answers.
“So, what did my father say to you?”
“You’re nosy.”
“I am. What did he say?”
“He started with the same energy Naseem was on, but in a respectable and mature way. The gist of the conversation was a warning not to hurt you again.”
“Well, at least he was nicer than my brother.”
“His delivery was nicer, but the message was the same. I’m not worried, though. My intention is never to hurt you again, unless we talking about that pussy.”
“I’ll willingly let you do that, over and over again.”
“Shit! Don’t threaten me with a good time, baby. I’ll beat that pussy up often as you let me.”
We rode in silence for a few minutes, and I looked out the window, taking in the scenery of my hometown.
“I think your mother was offended because I only ate salad,” Major said.
My mother had made ratatouille baked pasta with a salad and garlic sticks.
“She definitely was, but once you told her you were in training, she understood.”
“That shit smelled good as hell too. I was more than tempted.”
“I’m sure you were. You definitely have more willpower than I ever will. I’d be starting my training over every day after falling off the wagon.”
“I don’t have that luxury if I want to be ready for this fight. I can’t lose to the same nigga twice.”
His comment got my attention, and I was confused.
“Lose to the same . . . Are you fighting him again?”
He nodded.
“Why?” I asked.
“Why do you think, Lovie?”
“Are you trying to prove a point?”
“Hell yeah. Had I had my shit together, he wouldn’t have won the first time, and my record would be undefeated. This shit been nagging at me for years, and I refuse to retire with that loss hanging over my head.”
“I’m not doubting you, but historically, rematches are always risky. Are you sure you want to take that chance?”
“I know the risk, and I’m confident the outcome will be in my favor this time.”
“I believe in you. I haven’t been around while you’ve been preparing for a fight in a long time. I’m looking forward to it, and if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“You being here is enough.”
He reached over the console, taking my hand, and for the rest of the ride to his house, we sat in silence. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind, and something told me slowing down was nowhere in sight.
When we arrived back at Major’s house, he mentioned giving me the tour that he’d promised before our little disagreement. Instead of ruining the moment for him, I pretended as if I hadn’t taken the liberty to look around on my own.
We started upstairs, spending most of the time in Maja’s room.
He shared how obsessed his daughter was with Black unicorns and all shades of purple.
He complained about how much her room cost and swore he wouldn’t be redecorating it until she went to college.
His face lit up whenever he talked about her, even when he was complaining, and I thought it was adorable.
He tried to go back to the first floor without showing me his art studio, and I stopped in front of the door. When he noticed, he turned around, wearing a puzzled expression.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Why didn’t you show me this room?”
“Oh, it’s just storage. Nothing to see there.”
“Show me anyway.”
“Lovie, it’s just a bunch of junk I didn’t know what to do with.”
“I don’t believe you. Show me.”
“Fine.”
I sensed his hesitancy as he took slow strides toward me, and I was confused about why he wouldn’t want to share his art with me. He opened the door, giving me space to enter first.
“This doesn’t look like storage to me,” I said, pretending as if this was my first time in the room.
“It’s where I store my paintings.”
He remained by the door while I walked deeper into the room.
“Major, these are beautiful. You’ve always been a talented artist, but these belong in a gallery somewhere.”
“Thank you. I’m looking into doing that after I retire.”
“That’s great! I think you’ll do well.”
I admired the paintings for the second time, working my way over to the ones behind the sheet.
“There’s not much more to see. Let’s head downstairs.”
I turned to face him and said, “What’s behind the sheet?”
“More paintings, but—”
I removed the sheet before he could tell me another lie.
“Are all of these me?” I asked, pretending to be surprised.
“You’ve been in here already, haven’t you?”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. Your nosy ass has been in here already.”
“Maybe.”
He shook his head and left the room. I rushed to catch up with him, closing the door behind me.
“Are you mad?” I asked, stopping him before he reached the stairs.
“No. I’m not mad, but if you’ve already given yourself a tour, we didn’t need to do it again.”
“My bad. I looked around last night before coming to your room, but I didn’t go to the basement,” I confessed.
“So, you already knew about my paintings?”
“I did, and they brought me to tears when I saw them. You’re so talented, Major, and I’m glad you’re going to share your talent with the world.”
“I’ve already sold a few under my alias.”
“Really? What’s your alias?”
“Maj.”
“And nobody knows it’s you?”
He shook his head as he responded.
“If they know, they haven’t said anything.”
“I’m so proud of you, baby. I hope you’re planning to add this to your memoir and documentary. Your fans will love it, and I can’t imagine how many new fans you’ll gain.”
“I know you’ll write in a way that’ll make me appeal to the masses. I’m not worried. Let’s go see the basement.”
I was excited because it was the only part of the house I hadn’t seen, and he was just as excited to show me.
“You know more than anybody that I don’t like people, so it was important for me to have a private place to train. One of the reasons I chose this house was because the basement was huge and unfinished.”
He opened the door and turned on the light, then we headed down the stairs. As the space came into view, I was in awe. This man had built himself a private boxing studio, and I’d venture to say it would give boxing studios with paying customers a run for their money.
“This is a lot more than I expected,” I said when we made it to the bottom of the stairs.
“That’s what most people say when they see it for the first time. I went all out and have no regrets.”
“I guess it makes sense. NBA players have full-length basketball courts in their homes, so why wouldn’t you have a boxing ring?”
“Exactly. I used almost every square foot of this space, so I had to put a little more into the media and game room upstairs for Maja. She does have a small space over there in the corner in case she’s down here while I’m training.”
“It’s only fair. I love this. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I had to mute all mentions of you on my social media. Have you ever allowed anyone from the media into this space?”
“Never. If any pictures or video footage were needed for an interview, I paid to use one of the studios in the area.”
“Is that what you plan to do for your memoir and documentary?”
He shrugged. “I hadn’t given it much thought. What do you think?”
“It would be much more personal and authentic if they both included pictures and videos from where the magic actually happens. Has your team found a film crew?”
“Brax is looking but hasn’t reported back to me yet. You got a crew in mind?”
“Not a crew, per se, but they’re both up and coming in the field and not well known, but their work is amazing.”
“Bet. I actually kinda like the idea of helping some newbies make a name for themselves. Let’s set up a meeting.”
“You’re trusting me with something like this?” I questioned.
“I trust you with everything I love.”