Chapter 13
“Congratulations on the opening of your restaurant. My wife and her friends are already talking about how they can’t wait to come back.
The food was excellent, and it definitely has a cool vibe.
I have someone on my team who runs sales analytics to show you how your business is doing month to month.
“She’ll give you a complete breakdown from your bottom line down to the more popular dishes and how much they cost to make.
The first year is the most crucial, and many businesses don’t make it past the two-year mark.
This place has a lot of potential, so if you need help or have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me.
You hired me for a reason, and I want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investments.
” Justice Graham shook my hand as we stood outside my new restaurant, The East Way.
I’d officially hired him as my accountant a while back, and he had proven to be a true asset to my businesses.
I wasn’t much of a numbers guy unless it came to counting money.
I could do that in my sleep, but there was so much that went into running a successful business, and he had been walking me through the process and putting me in touch with the right people to help me.
Thanks to him, I had found two solid managers to run the restaurant as well as a marketing and social media manager. I never realized how much those things mattered, but my team made sure we had everything together.
“I appreciate you coming out to show your support and for all of the help you’ve given me. You and your team have made this transition seamless, and I can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s my pleasure. It’s good to see brothers we grew up around coming up and creating their own motion.
Being an entrepreneur takes work, but if you do it right, you’ll have a legacy to pass down to your children.
My pops has always drilled the idea of generational wealth.
We need more people who look like us owning property and setting their families up for success. ”
I nodded in agreement. Growing up, I never imagined I would own anything. All I wanted to do was survive and make enough money to take care of myself and my granny. When I took a look at the way life had changed for me, I couldn’t help but give thanks to a higher power.
As a young boy, my granny used to always tell me she wanted her own restaurant.
She spent years feeding our neighbors and anyone else who needed a hot meal.
Even when we barely had food on the table, she made a way to give back.
She’s older now, so she can’t be here full time, but my proudest moment was handing her those keys tonight.
“I agree with you. It was never something I considered growing up, but now that I have a family of my own, I want them to have the best of everything. I’m trying to take a step back from the streets, and it starts with getting my ducks in a row.”
“For sure. I’ve been in your shoes, and I get it.
The money comes in fast, and sometimes that can make it difficult to pull away.
Focus on getting your affairs in order. When it’s the right time, you’ll know.
I see our women have hit it off. I’m gonna tell you now that once my wife and her crew get ahold of her, you’re gonna have to share,” he joked, pointing to where his wife, Ciyani, was laughing and talking to Lyric.
It honestly surprised me to see them hit it off so well, since Lyric was slightly younger, and she could be a little territorial when other women were around.
I loved that she mingled and interacted with the ladies in attendance.
It took a couple of years to make it happen, but everything had finally fallen into place.
The grand opening went even better than I hoped, and I was looking forward to what the future would bring.
“I think it would be good for her. She needs to be around more women who have something going for themselves. Lyric is smart as hell and good at anything she puts her mind to, but I don’t necessarily care for some of the people she keeps around her.
She thinks I’m being controlling and judgmental, but I’ve learned enough in life to know that everybody in your circle isn’t riding for you. ”
“You’re right about that. I’ve seen many people lose their freedom, their family, and even their lives behind a snake in the grass.
Sometimes people are so blinded by loyalty and love that they miss the signs.
My wife and I don’t play that shit at all.
She has a solid group of women around her, and it’s the same way for me.
I can’t allow anyone to have access to my family that I don’t trust. I might be a corporate nigga now, but I know how to shoot, and I’ll do the time for that woman over there. ”
He nodded over to his wife, and I resonated with his statement wholeheartedly. Lyric was my heart, and I would do anything to protect her, even if she didn’t think she needed protection.
“Baby, did you get my pound cake?” Ciyani asked, linking her arm with Justice’s. He smirked as he looked down at her in admiration.
“Hell naw. You were too busy running your mouth, and I ate it. It was good as hell too.”
The frown etched across her face made me laugh, because she was truly disgusted with his admission.
“Justice, you better say ‘sike’ right now, or it’s gonna be a real uncomfortable night for you on the couch. I’m not playing.”
Her arms were folded with her lips poking out. At that moment, she reminded me of Lyric’s spoiled ass.
“Damn, you’re gonna make me sleep on the couch over some cake? Weren’t you the one saying you couldn’t wait for us to get home so you could sit on my face?”
“And nothing has changed. I still want my pussy eaten the same way you devoured my cake, but then you gotta go,” she spoke with finality.
“You’re cold-blooded, wifey. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t eat your funky ass pound cake. You’re crazy if you thought I was gonna sleep on that uncomfortable ass couch, and without some pussy too? Yeah, that was never gonna happen.” Justice shrugged, dangling the bag in her face.
Her eyes lit up immediately once she realized the cake was in his hands.
“Yeah, East. Tell your granny her pound cake is already causing issues in folks’ households. This shit is crazy.”
“I was just kidding, baby. I would never make you sleep on the couch,” Ciyani replied, although her eyes were on her dessert.
“I can’t even judge you, girl. I was the same way when I had my first slice.
It was worse because I was pregnant and overly sensitive.
East ate my last slice of cake, and I cried so hard, he begged his granny to make another one the next day.
I don’t play when it comes to Granny Nessa’s food or her desserts,” Lyric shared.
I laughed even though she told no lies. After that incident, I made sure to bring her home some cake whenever Granny decided to bake.
We continued to talk, and the ladies exchanged information.
After we said our goodbyes to them, Lyric and I went back into the restaurant, greeting more customers as they dined.
When I first started the process of opening a restaurant, I never mentioned it to Lyric.
It wasn’t because I thought she wouldn’t support me, but it was mainly because I was used to making moves alone.
I never had a woman in my life I could share my dreams and ideas with, so I usually kept those things to myself. When Lyric expressed how it made her feel to be left out, I realized I had someone in my life who cared. She wanted to be a part of my wins as well as my losses, and I was thankful.
She walked around the room looking like a goddess as she checked on the guests and encouraged the staff.
Her laughter was infectious as she showed her natural personality.
A few people asked to take a picture with her, and that was when I realized how influential she was.
At first, I didn’t fully understand social media and the following she acquired, but it was clear her online presence was impactful for others.
A few women thanked her for her transparency when dealing with topics about motherhood and finding balance in life.
I smiled with pride in my heart as she encouraged other mothers not to lose the essence of who they were.
It made me realize how wrong I had been for judging her.
Lyric was growing into her own person, and she was figuring out what worked best for her.
Every day, she showed up one hundred percent for our little family, and I was proud of her.
By the end of the night, I was exhausted from talking to so many people and taking pictures. I was a street nigga at my core, so I was still adjusting to this side of things. Making connections and networking were a necessary evil, so I put my best foot forward.
“Well, well, well. It was nice of you to invite me to your little opening.”
I froze the moment I heard her voice. It had been years since the two of us had been in the same room together, but I would never forget her voice.
When I turned to face my mother, it was almost impossible to hide the glare on my face.
There, Enoka stood dressed like an ’80s hoe.
Her tight cheetah-print leggings were two sizes too small, and the red tube top screamed for attention along with all the flashy jewelry.
When my eyes landed on her face, I saw myself staring back at me with hazel eyes, bright red lipstick, and long black hair, which I was sure she purchased from the local swap meet.
“What are you doing here, Enoka?” I spoke in an even tone since there were plenty of guests within earshot.
“Well, isn’t it obvious? Everyone has been talking about this new restaurant and lounge spot that is being opened by a fine, paid, young black man. Imagine my surprise when I find out it’s my son.” She fussed, as if she had the right.