SEVEN #3
“Yes, from North Carolina,” she dragged her words out like he was working her last nerve when it was the other way around.
“Aunt Francene son?” he asked for clarification.
“Boy, how many Carios you know?”
“What he doing here?”
“He moved up here to chase his dreams!” she boasted.
“And what’s that?” Jio asked dryly. He hoped it wasn’t hustling.
“Fashion.”
Jio stared blankly ahead. “What the fuck made him come here?” It was a stupid idea if you asked him.
Nina scoffed. No dream was dumb in her eyes.
His mother continued, “He says New York is where he needs to be. His mama is worried sick and I told her you could help. He serious about it too. Got sketchbooks, fabric samples, all kind of stuff.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“Uh boy, as much money as you spend in them malls. I know you done made a few connections. He needs an internship or something.”
“Ma, he should’ve called before he came or at least visited. Where he staying?”
“With me. We going to help him figure it out.”
“Who is WE?” Jio wasn’t a part of this.
“He’s family and family stick together!” she argued.
“That don’t make me a babysitter.”
“You better not embarrass me, Jiorgio.”
Nina’s eyes widened at the full name and she gasped loudly.
Jio looked at her sharply and she turned her eyes back to the pages in her book.
“You know clothes better than anyone I know.”
“I know clothes because I buy them, Ma but that don’t make me no fashion guru.”
Jio was being modest because he definitely bragged on how stylish he presented himself to be. He didn’t just know clothes. He LOVED them.
“You know enough.”
Jio sighed.
Nina watched him ponder on a decision, although he kept trying to sound like he wasn’t about to get involved.
She knew that he would though. It was one of those love-hate things that came with him.
Jio swore his family exhausted the crap out of him, yet he wore the responsibility of carrying the weight of being the man of the house like an armor.
For him to be the baby of the boys, he acted like the oldest. Nina listened carefully whenever his family called and they all looked to him for the answer.
He would curse them out, ignore their calls, complain for twenty minutes, and still move heaven and hell if one of them needed him to.
“What you want me to do?” he asked finally.
His mother’s tone changed instantly.
Nina could practically hear the smile through the phone.
“Come get the nigga shit! Take him around. Let him see New York in its prime.”
“Where he at?”
“We getting something to eat. He ordering his food, I’m outside having a smoke.”
“I’ll come get him this week or top of next.”
“Jio, it needs to be today! I’m going to the casino tonight. I don’t want him home by himself, it ain’t no telling if I’m coming right back.”
Now the truth comes out.
Jio closed his eyes. “What does any of this have to do with me?” He was irritated all over again.
“He will be ready when you get here. Don’t take all day either or I’m going to blow that mother fuckin’ phone up and you know it.”
He hung up before his mother could get another word out.
Nina waited three full seconds before saying, “Jiorgio?”
“Watch out!” he warned playfully.
“Jiorgio is such a lovely name. I should call you that more often.”
“I think we good with babe or baby,” he begged to differ.
“Very regal. Very fashionistO.”
He moved so fast she barely had time to dodge before he trekked through the living room just to pinch her thigh.
“Ouch!” she yelped, laughing.
“Ima what again?” He wanted her to repeat it now that he was up close and personal.
She rubbed the spot, still laughing. “You are a fashionistO, not a fashionista!”
“I’m a real nigga with style,” he corrected her.
Nina rolled her eyes. “Tomato, tomato... same thing bookie butt.”
She reached up and kissed his lips.
“When I first met you, you told me that you had just sent back a custom jacket because the thread was ivory instead of bone.”
“That’s a huge difference shorty!” he defended his decision.
“You have opinions about belt buckles.”
“Everybody should! I don’t want no big country ass belt on.”
“You travel with garment bags for your garment bags.”
He fought a smile. “What you trying to say?”
“Maybe you’re into fashion more than you think you are. Because I’ve seen you take longer picking out shades than I take getting ready for dinner.”
“Damn, now my vision not important?”
“Don’t deflect.”
He looked at her with amusement he didn’t want to show.
Nina’s smile went away as she got down to the matter at hand. “Sooooo what’s the problem?” she asked. “He wants to get into fashion, which is an exciting career.”
“It’s a hustle in itself.”
“Everything worth having is hard. We know that!” Although they were in totally different lanes and industries, they both were working overtime to be respected in their chosen fields.
Jio looked at her for a second, wondering if she was just referring to Cairo or something deeper.
“He’s a mixed kid from North Carolina,” Jio said. “Moving to New York with sketchbooks and dreams. This city gon’ eat him alive if nobody watches him.”
“Just make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Jio glanced back at her.
“Babe, I’m trying to watch my own back.”
Nina shrugged like it was nothing, although it wasn’t.
“You’re busy. I can take him out. We can run in a couple of stores so I can get a feel of his fashion sense. Give me your card, I’ll show him a real good time,” she said with a wide grin on her face.
“He doesn’t need to go to Chanel on the first day, babe.” He’d dated materialistic women before, but none compared to the damage that Nina Marcelle did to his pockets.
“Well… he does, but in all seriousness, I was thinking fabric stores and maybe a few thrift shops too.”
Jio’s face twisted.
“Baby, I have never thrifted a day in my life.”
Nina snorted. “Why am I not surprised?”
She thought he was going to make a slick comment, but he shocked her when he said, “That’s actually a good idea.
” They’d been cooped up in the crib for two days, a lil’ spin around a couple of blocks didn’t sound too bad while Nina entertained his little cousin.
“Look at that,” she teased. “I’m working my way into the fam! ”
“You’re always useful to me, baby… wanna sit on it before you go?” he asked as he pulled his dick out of his boxers.
η
Nina stood outside of one of her favorite vintage boutiques to find hidden gems in the city.
She wore wide-leg jeans, a fitted white crop top, and oversized sunnies.
Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail.
Just in case the wind picked up, a yellow cardigan was draped over her shoulders.
She dressed casual on purpose but added a lil’ flavor since this kid was supposedly a fashion guru.
Jio thought it was cute that she wanted to impress his lil’ cousin.
“Look at you,” he cooed as she slid her feet into a pair of denim Dior sneakers.
Nina was good at keeping it simple but still looking like a walking lick.
It was never her intention to scream RICH, but she was raised on the notion that wealth was quiet.
She was one of those chicks that you could just tell came from old money.
She spoke well, smiled often, and had a presence so warm and welcoming that strangers naturally gravitated towards her.
She was texting Ephrem when a black truck pulled to the curb.
She missed him and wanted to get food later if he was up for it.
Nina had to repair their friendship. She would lose her mind if they fell out again over something stupid.
Jio swore that he was going to be home when she made it in, but she knew he wouldn’t be, so there was no point in rushing back to an empty crib.
The truck door opened and a young kid hopped out with a leather backpack against his chest like a shield.
Nina didn’t know what to expect but it wasn’t who she saw.
She pushed her shades closer to her eyes to hide her judgment.
Cairo was tall and skinny. His arms were covered in tattoos that she knew had a story for each.
His skin was light brown like the color of her favorite coffee creamer, hazelnut.
His haircut was tapered around the edges, and loose curls fell over his eyes that told her he’d been through some shit.
He wore baggy shorts, dirty Timbs, lime green Rugby socks, and an oversized shirt.
To top it all off, he had a Gucci scarf tied around his neck.
Nina could tell that he had his own style for certain, but in Nina’s eyes, that’s what Fashion was all about.
“Cairo?” she asked gently.
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’m Nina.”
“Jio’s girlfriend! Nice to meet you,” he said, flashing her a striking smile.
Nina blushed, “Same.” She stuck her hand out for him to shake it but he swept her into a bear hug.
Cairo was only a few inches taller than her, but his personality was bold and mighty.
“I’m from the South, we hug down there,” he told her.
Nina hugged him back. “Welcome to New York!”
His face reddened instantly. “I’m happy to be here.”
“Jio told me to show you a good time, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
He hesitated. “He told me don’t get on your nerves.”
Nina chuckled. “Yep, sounds like him.”
“He told me don’t let nobody talk crazy to you or look your way too long,” Cairo spilled more and more. He was getting comfortable by the second.
“Gotta love Jio..” she nodded.
“And don’t buy no ugly shit.” He ended the checklist.
Nina paused. “I know he not talking.”
Cairo laughed, and she could see that some of his nerves loosened, which was good. They were going to have an amazing day today. She was claiming it in advance.
Nina nodded toward the boutique. “Come on, show me your taste.”
The store was filled with racks of curated vintage pieces, leather coats, silk blouses, denim, old designer bags, military jackets, sequined tops, belts, scarves, and hats.
His eyes filled with wonder and hunger as they scanned the entire store.