Chapter 38 Emani #2
From professional basketball games to studio sessions to Emani pulling the Ocean View Prep School hoodie over her head, she was looking forward to tomorrow where there was nothing to do but listen to Ashton and Carson go over her numbers and lay around the house.
For now that would be a distant want because Andrew was huffing and puffing, barging into her bedroom with Sanaa right behind him in a matching hoodie, pleated skirt and matching sneakers.
Emani couldn’t help herself when she had Derrick shop for Andrew’s look tonight.
“What’s all those sounds you’re making?” Emani asked, placing her earring in her ear and turning to look at him.
“He got in a fight with his tie,” Sanaa shared, hopping up on the made bed.
“Come here,” Emani spoke, directing Andrew’s feet to her. It wasn’t just the tie. It was Jahlil’s flight getting delayed and his absence. “Whose idea was it to do the tunnel walk?”
“The cheerleaders,” Andrew muttered, handing Emani the navy blue tie she bought to match his navy blue sneakers.
“His girlfrienddddd’s,” Sanaa chimed.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Andrew defended.
“Not yet. She said you gotta ask her right to get the kissy faces. Which I don’t know why? Daddy didn’t ask Mani right and he still gets the kissies,” Sanaa commented, looking down at her painted nails.
After the marker debacle in Ocean City, Emani woke up early the next morning to make sure Sanaa got a manicure and pedicure and some lip gloss and fake make up so no one was subjected to walking around like a clown. Though the photos of the guys were hilarious, Emani wanted that to be a one-off.
“If you like her, ask her. I’ll take you to get all the things. Girls like romance,” Emani shared, motioning him to lift his chin.
Andrew flashed her a small smile. “For real?”
“For real. I got some business in the morning but I’ll get you at lunch?”
“We can get some Louie’s?” Andrew posed.
“Boy, what do you know about Louie’s?” Emani quizzed, referring to a Los Oceania staple. An old time hot dog drive thru.
“Aunt Violet took us when we got back. But you know how she gets in the neighborhood. We were over there all day,” Andrew stated, making Emani laugh.
“I got you. You ready for tonight?” Emani questioned as she tied his tie.
Andrew’s lip curled with concern. “Is Jah making it?”
“He said he wasn’t missing it for nothing. You got to keep the faith. If he’s not here physically, you know he’s going to be on the phone watching everything you do. The game isn’t about whose in the stands. It’s you against you. Didn’t y’all make a deal?” Emani replied.
He nodded. “I gotta train and play on JV like I want it before going to a club.”
“Alright, so tonight is about starting that. Your brother will be here and if he’s not, I think I’m a good second best.”
“Nah, E. you’re the best,” Andrew stated, looking at his trouser-covered legs, crisp white shirt, and Ameechii jean jacket.
“You look good. Go get your stuff so I can get you there on time. Sanaa, you got your bag?”
The bag in reference was a mini version of one of Emani’s purses so she could leave her bags alone.
“Aunt Violet is putting snacks in it,” Sanaa shared.
Emani gave herself, Sanaa, and Andrew one last look over before herding them out of the room.
Jah: I’ll meet y’all there, just landed. Let him lock in
Emani shared the same game day playlist she made for Jahlil with Andrew. When they arrived to the school, Andrew went his way and the trio stood in line.
“Aryn!” Sanaa squealed. Emani looked up from her phone and caught the little boy running toward Sanaa. When he met her, he picked her up and swung her around. That tightness Jahlil was referring to, Emani felt and almost wanted to flick the little boy between his eyes.
“Son, be careful she’s a little lady,” Emani could only assume it was his father’s voice, Jahlil arch nemesis. “Sorry about that.”
His apology fell on Aunt Violet’s deaf ears.
“I’m going to smoke by the car, Emani,” Aunt Violet spoke, ignoring him.
“It’s okay,” Sanaa spoke. “I like it.”
Emani shook her head and looked at Aryn’s father. “You’re not too liked around here.”
He nodded. “Or anywhere, honestly. I’ve been told by my daughter that I’m an asshole.”
“I can see how she came to that conclusion,” Emani hummed.
“John,” he spoke, extending his hand.
Emani kept her hands tucked into her hoodie. “Emani. What’s your story? Why are you so much of an asshole?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t always an asshole.”
“So you didn’t wake up one day and say it’s a great day to lock young black boys up?”
He shook his head. “My wife died five hours after giving birth to him. I haven’t been the same since and I don’t know why I’m offering you that information.”
“I have that face. I can make people comfortable before I hit them in the neck,” Emani quipped. “Allegedly.”
John laughed. “Yeah. Allegedly. I saw the videos.”
“Plan on bringing those charges against me again?”
John swayed his head. “I honestly don’t want the smoke with your man. I saw how he was behind Andrew. You? I might disappear for real, so I choose my battles.”
“I hear you. Speaking of battles. For the kids, the fathers should at least be able to get along. So if you aren’t occupied upholding justice, we’re doing a Thanksgiving dinner at the Volts Community Center on thanksgiving day. Y’all should come by and then over for dinner.”
“You sure?” John posed.
“Drew is infatuated with your daughter and your son is swinging my girl around so we might as well do them a favor. Plus, I know how lonely the holidays can be. And don’t worry about Jahlil, I’ll take care of him.”
John smiled faintly. “I appreciate the invite.”
“It’s nothing,” Emani said before Sanaa’s voice rang out.
“Mani, can Aryn sit with us?”
Emani looked down at the duo. “If it’s okay with his dad, I don’t mind.”
“I probably should be asking if it’s okay with her dad,” John stated.
“He’s going to find himself by the team, coaching from behind. You’re good.”