Chapter 13
August
Fixing the collar of my blazer, Momma sweetly said, “It’s a pleasure to hear the inside happenin’s of you an’ Mona’s weddin’ day. It sound very elegant. Kingsley described Mona to me. Son, she’s so beautiful. I can’t wait ‘til you see her. Don’t let too many tears fall. Okay?”
Smiling at the woman showing all her teeth, I nodded. “Okay. You an’ August Junior bet not have that house on two million wit’ allathat cussin’ music.”
“I’mma thank ‘bout it.” She giggled as I slid my knuckles down her cheek.
A much-needed conversation was always at the bottom of my throat, itching for me to throw it up. Yet, I never found the time to do so.
“Um, Momma?” I called, grabbing her wrists. She had fixed my blazer long enough.
“Yes?” she asked, fixating her blue-grayish eyes on me.
“I … I was wondering if you think I should meet my dad’s family,” I said lowly as the dressing room door opened. Instantly, the male laughter and jokes slid into the room.
“Yes, I think you should meet them. They gon’ love to meet the fo’ of you,” she answered as Uncle Otto stepped in looking spiffy in his three-piece black fitted suit.
“Good to know,” I told her, turning her around so her brother could receive a look at his stunning sister and me.
“Hot damn, Orthella. You are looking great, sister.” Uncle Otto grinned, much love in his smile and eyes.
“Thank you. August describe yo’ uncle to me, please,” she said, making my soul ache that I had to describe everything to her.
“He’on look like a dried-out tampon today,” I said seriously, causing the foolies to laugh.
“His head shiny like wax on it. He’s dressed in his finest gold jewelry Blanche bought in hopes the dick was kept to her only.
He rockin’ shiny, black Stacey Adams, a fitted three-piece suit wit’ a coral handkerchief.
He look grateful. Still, got all his teeth.
Look like he put a gold tooth on the bottom tooth.
On the first tooth that come in. The one that’s gon’ leave his mouth first. Nih, Uncle Otto, out of all the teeth to put that gold on …
why there? Yo’ mouf look real odd. I hope you’on think the ladies like a gold tooth there. ”
“This man here.” The fellas laughed as they closed in on us.
Grinning, Uncle Otto pointed at me and said, “That’s the reason I put it there. So, the ladies will not be so quick to step to me.”
“Shit, tell ‘em you got a new ass son and don’t take care of him. That’ll keep their asses from you,” King hissed as the fellas looked at the sky and mumbled.
I laughed as Momma’s mouth dropped. Uncle Otto sternly cleared his throat while looking at his firstborn son.
Interlocking his fingers, King gritted his teeth and hissed, “Got something to say, Otto Abbott? I have a few minutes to rearrange some shit, wash my nuts, and be fine as fuck to stand behind August Senior. To add this as the cherry on the ice cream … Kingdon and August if shit gets spicy up in this motherfucking room … don’t undress or sweat.
I’ll be quick to put the deadbeat in his place. ”
Clasping his lips, Uncle Otto patted his thigh and focused on his disappointed sister and me, smiling. Shaking her head, Momma hissed, “Otto, bring yo’ face to me.”
“Okay.” He sighed deeply as I retrieved my phone to capture her slapping the shit out of him.
It had been a while since her palm graced his face. When she twisted his lips with her thumb and forefinger, I was surprised and pissed off.
Glaring at her brother, Momma sassed, “You know better. You can’t raise fo’ churren an’ leave another out.
‘Do the right thing by yo’ kids’ has always been my motto.
It shoulda been yo’s as well. I don’t care what the fuck you an’ that loose pussy churchy woman got going on.
Take care of who came out yo’ nuts. If yo’ ass ain’t won’t anymo’ kids, you shoulda had a vasectomy.
You too damn old to still carry on ridiculously.
After the twins an’ Kingsley learned who they real mother was, you shoulda been on a better path.
King crazy as hell. He alone should put fear into yo’ dick gettin’ hard an’ needin’ to be pressed in som’ old dusty pussy.
Get yo’ shit together befo’ my firstborn nephew get ahold of you an’ make you wish you was the man I swore you would be when I signed guardian rights to you.
Broken men create broken children, Otto.
The twins angry wit’ you. Each fo’ they own reason.
August ain’t angry. He don’t give a damn.
I was a mother, tellin’ him rightful shit.
He an’ the twins know they double kin. He want to meet his paternal family, an’ I okayed it.
The twins an’ my son know how you viewed Emmaline.
They know her position in my eyesight being taken.
Let all that shit settle on yo’ brain. If you did som’ to Emmaline or a member of her family, you better speak on that shit to the one who make shit happen after he’s spoken.
Don’t do it durin’ my son’s an’ daughter-in-law’s weddin’ an’ reception.
Take care of that shit when you don’t see August an’ Mona.
Do I make myself clear ‘bout all the shit that should be on yo’ mind mo’ than anything else I spoke? ”
Looking at the ceiling, Uncle Otto nodded. Sharply, he exhaled, “Yes, Orthella.”
“Good. I’m sho’ yo’ face lookin’ real ugly. Fix it. So, you can escort me to my seat. I have special guests waitin’ fo’ me to plop next to them.” Momma smiled, extending her hand to her stunned brother.
“I know that ole man that be smilin’ up in yo’ face at that assisted livin’ place ain’t waitin’ on you, Momma. My guh an’ me ain’t gave him no invitation,” I screeched as Uncle Otto grabbed his sister’s hand.
With all eyes on her, Momma giggled. “My lips sealed. You gon’ see who next to me soon enough.”
“A’ight,” I replied, shaking my head and facing the mirror.
While I made sure my suit and beard were on point, the twins stepped next to me. After they completed their once-over of me, we walked off. Posting on the wall, Thiago grinned wickedly. Looking at the fool, cleaning his nails with a knife, I asked, “What’s wit’ that smile?”
“I can’t wait ‘til you see who she finna sit next to.” He chuckled as the other Quad Ts laughed and shook their heads.
“Special motherfuckin’ delivery. Front row seat action.” The other Quad Ts chortled as Momma laughed loudly as Uncle Otto opened the door.
“You ain’t been out that livin’ facility that long to meet nobody’s son. Who is it, Momma?” I asked as our phones chimed. It was four minutes to showtime.
“You’ll see. Head to y’all’s position. The beautiful bride-to-be gon’ be in y’all’s faces soon,” Momma sang, waving as we neared her.
Upon landing to her right, I kissed her cheek. She blushed like a schoolgirl as I said, “If his shoes dirty, I’mma make sho’ you know.”
“That’s my boy.” She giggled as Uncle Otto howled in laughter.
While King and I walked off, Uncle Otto still looked at me.
Comfortingly, he said, “Don’t follow us to see who she’ll be sitting by.
You’ll see when you arrive at the altar.
Don’t fuck up Mona’s and your big day by being impatient, August Senior.
The photographers are in place to snap pictures. Smile big for me, nephew.”
And just like the great uncle he could only be, Uncle Otto put my head on right. Nodding, I smiled. “I’m wit’cha when you right. See y’all from the altar.”
“See you from the altar,” they replied as King and I stopped walking.
“Make sure you show all of your teeth,” Kingdon demanded as he and The Quad Ts followed behind Momma and Uncle Otto.
“Of course,” I voiced, becoming nervous as the dream of being a married man had finally landed in my lap.
“You good?” King asked, placing his hand on my shoulder.
Turning to face the spiffy fucka rocking no shirt under his blazer like his twin, Ryan, and me. Shrugging and nodding, I asked, “Were you nervous before marryin’ Min?”
“Man, you just confused the fuck outta me. So, I’m going to ask again. You good?” He chuckled as we walked toward the side door leading into our large venue, decorated in coral, ivory, tan, and gold.
“Not really.”
“Thank you. To answer your question about being nervous before marrying Min. Hell yes.”
“Why?” I questioned as butterflies floated around my guts.
“I felt she would leave me at the altar, looking crazy because she may have felt I was still in love with Tree. I started to feel as if I wasn’t good enough for her,” he offered with ease, looking into my eyes.
“Oh.”
“Do you feel like you aren’t good enough for her or feel that she will leave you at the altar?” he questioned as I reached for the door handle.
“No. I know she locked in. I’m nervous ‘cause I’on wanna be typical August. I wanna act like I got som’ sense. Som’ I ain’t did in a long time. That got me nervous,” I answered, causing him to smile.
“Open the door. You will be great. As always, you’ll find your footing and confidence in speaking in front of a large crowd … by using proper English,” he coached as I opened the door to the spectacular wedding view.
“My God. No wonder she wanted us to practice in the other venue. This is my dream wedding,” I held out in awe of the beauty and intimacy of our venue.
“It describes y’all’s love. Now, move confidently, just like you spoke correct English,” King urged as I cleared my throat and marched toward the altar.
“Okayyyyyy nih, Aug!” our thuggish cousins hooted as lights from phones flashed.
“Oooouu, who invited all these motherfuckas?” I mumbled, palms becoming sweaty.
“We, as in you, Mona, and me, did. They are family, friends, and associates, Aug. This event is different than holiday parties. But we are amongst those who see us at our worst. Be you,” King spoke lowly as the male officiant looked in our direction, smiling.