47. Four #2
“Food's almost done; Nadine's probably in there burning shit,” he said, pointing to the kitchen. “We going to the patio though.”
“Shut your ass up, Bradon,” Nadine said, coming into the living room. She’d changed clothes and was now dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt. “Corinthians, how you doing, baby?”
“I’m good, Ms. Nadine,” Cori answered.
“You been resting like I told you?” her brow went up.
“Yes, ma’am,” Cori answered.
“Alright, now go on out there and have a seat. The food will be out in a moment.” She walked out of the living room.
“Come on before she makes me drag that shit outside,” Uncle Bradon said.
“Bradon, bring your ass in here and get this food. I’m not taking shit out there.”
Uncle Bradon looked at us, and all I could do was laugh. I didn’t feel sorry for him. I walked to the back door, opened it, and escorted Cori to the back patio, which was already set up. After I helped Cori into her seat, I sat next to her.
“Your uncle and Ms. Nadine?” she asked without asking the full question.
“Nah,” I answered, shaking my head. “They are good friends though.”
“You sure?” she asked, watching them through the big window that showed the kitchen.
Nadine stood next to the stove, giving Uncle Bradon instructions.
He was listening but more than likely giving her a hard time.
Nadine looked at him over her shoulder, narrowed her eyes, then pointed at the bowl on the island next to him.
Uncle Bradon picked it up, said something to Nadine that made her laugh, then walked out of the kitchen.
“Yeah,” I told her before Uncle Bradon came outside. “But I ain’t gonna lie, I questioned it myself a few times over the years. Especially in the last few.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Cori, you see them just like I do, baby,” I answered with a laugh. “If that ain’t love then I don’t know what is.” I leaned over and kissed the side of her head.
“There you go kissing all on that girl again,” Uncle Bradon said, coming outside. He set the bowl on the table, then stepped back. “Get that shit out of your system before I come back. Once I sit down, I plan on having Corinthians attention until y’all leave.”
“I think that nigga is in love with you,” I said after Uncle Bradon left. “I don’t like how he’s smiling at you and shit.” Cori laughed but didn’t say anything. “I’d threaten to gut his ass, but Unc can't feel pain either, so he wouldn’t do shit but laugh.”
“He has CIPA too?” she asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah,” I replied. “From what I can remember, he and I are the only ones with it. Everyone else carries the gene, though.”
“Then that means I should get Judah checked, huh?” she asked, still watching Nadine and Uncle Bradon. “I mean, I don’t know if Robert is his father for sure because there were others in the house. But I know just like you do that Robert wouldn’t let anyone else touch me like that.”
I didn’t say anything, just watched my uncle and Nadine talk. Cori’s concern for Judah’s health was legit, and I hated that. I couldn’t get my hands on Robert, but the rest of the niggas in the house? Yeah, they were mine.
“Alright, young lady,” Uncle Bradon said coming back outside.
He carried another bowl, and Nadine had a smaller one.
He set his bowl on the table, then took Nadine’s and set it down.
After he helped Nadine to her seat, he sat down and looked at Cori.
“Tell me about you. I know you’re a barber, one of those Bible thumpers, and you got my nephew's heart. That’s all I know. ”
“Well, it's not too much more to me than that,” she said, shrugging. “I have a son; his name is Judah. He’s a handful to say the least, but I wouldn’t trade being his mother for anything.”
“I’ve heard all about Judah from Deuce. Hell, I even heard them playing the game a few times. That li’l fella is funny and respectful. You’ve done a good job with him.”
“Thank you,” Cori said, smiling.
Three hours later, I was waiting for Cori to come out of the bathroom.
Dinner with Uncle Bradon and Nadine was good.
Cori ended up relaxing and enjoying herself.
She invited him to dinner in a few days.
On the car ride home, all she talked about was how nice and normal Bradon was.
Seeing her smile was the best feeling in the world.
My phone rang. I looked at it, swiped the screen, and put it to my ear. “Hello?”
“I heard about y’all dinner,” Nine said, chuckling. “My mama said Unc probably more in love with Corinthians than you are.”
“I told Cori that nigga was being too friendly for my liking,” I said, looking at the door. “She said he was just being nice.”
“Bradon Strong was macking your woman,” Nine said. “Take that nigga out.”
“Say less,” I replied, which made him laugh harder. “Nigga, why are you on my phone? Something going on with my son?”
“Fuck nah, Judah out in the yard flipping with Deuce on that damn trampoline you insisted on buying.”
“They asked for it,” I laughed.
“You could’ve had it at your house.”
“Oh nah,” I said, shaking my head. “I get too nervous with shit like that. I know I’ma look away and then one of them is going to flip off and break an arm or something. I ain’t trying to deal with your wife when that shit happens.”
“And you think I am?”
“Ay, you can handle it. You married her ass. Tell her to say y’all little saying, and she will calm down.”
“Nigga you have no idea who I’m dealing with if you think that’s how it goes,” he laughed.
“Oh, I know exactly who the fuck you dealin’ with, which is why that trampoline is at your house. I ain’t trying to be hurt because they li’l asses think they are daredevils and shit. Nah, nope I’m good.”
“So much for family having your back.”
“I got it far away from her and that damn axe she likes to carry about like it’s an umbrella.”
“I’ma tell her you over there talkin’ shit about her,” he replied.
“Man, whatever,” I said, shaking my head. “What are you on my phone for?”
“Just checking on you, making sure you’re good, and shit is all.”
“I’m good,” I told him. Nine knew about the nightmare and how I reacted with Cori. He’d been on my ass about making sure I stayed in therapy and took my meds.
“Alright then, I’ma let y’all enjoy y’all night since y’all on kid duty tomorrow.”
“I ain’t forgot,” I told him.
“Judah keeps saying he’s getting a dog. Corinthians finally broke down and agreed?”
“Shit nah,” I laughed. “Judah holding strong though.”
“For damn sure, he even has names picked out and shit,” Nine replied. “I thought he was for real getting one.”
“Not at all, Cori says no every time he asks.” I sat back on the couch. “I told him I would talk to her about it, but I haven’t gotten a chance. I’m going to do it soon though.”
“Good luck with that because Corinthians has been telling him no since day one.”
“I already know, but I gotta get my boy some kind of pet,” I said, nodding.
“Bet.”
“Let me get off here.”
“Later.”
Cori came out of the bathroom and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed some water for us, then came to sit next to me on the couch. I pulled her into my lap and wrapped my arms around her waist.
“Cori?”
“Hmm?” she replied as she flipped through the channels.
“Can we get a dog?”
“Hell no.”