Gills
Journei didn’t know how to receive her blessings. Any good that came her way she thought was too much. It was clear that those around her didn’t show or tell her how much she deserved good things. She had an angelic spirit, and now someone other than me could see it.
The number of people that showed to support her was dope. I didn’t know what her status was in the city of Chattanooga, but they popped out to show her she was doin’ big thangs.
I scanned the crowd when she gave her speech and didn’t see the people I personally invited. What happened shouldn’t have broken any bonds, but I saw that it did. I was hurt by it. I couldn’t even deny that.
Diego was my second father, and Kégo was the brotha I didn’t have. They were my family. I felt like they should’ve understood my reason for killing Galleria. It was either her or my family. They knew what the outcome was.
My calls had gone unanswered since that night. I missed my family. I had just got them back, and within the blink of an eye, I lost them again. I was dealing with a lot internally.
“I’m convinced you take me in rooms to get sexual favors,” I said after breaking the kiss.
“I do not.” She laughed.
“Yeah, a’ight. So, it won’t be a surprise, I invited Jourdell. He said he asked you about it, and you never responded to him. What’s that about?”
“I didn’t know if I wanted to share any accomplishments with him yet. It’s been what… a few days? I wasn’t sure about his intentions at the dinner, and I wasn’t sure tonight, so I left it on read.”
“In order to build somethin’ new and fresh, you have to take risks. When or if he comes, be nice. He’s tryin’, mama.”
I knew she listened to what I told her. There were plenty of times I caught her doin’ somethin’ and would change how she did it after I gave my opinion. I wasn’t asking her to do anything that required too much work.
“I know. I’ll cut him slack, but I won’t pretend.”
She unwrapped her arms from around my waist, grabbed the knob, and left me standing in her office. I shook my head and followed behind. Journei was goin’ to have me stressed by the end of the night.
My cousins had grown fond of Journei and stuck by her most of the night. I was able to survey the crowd. Jourdell didn’t show up, which low key upset me.
I expected him to show up for her, put forth some type of effort. All that blowin’ my phone up and begging for chances just to squander the perfect opportunity. Even if it was fake support, he could’ve still showed up.
I pulled my phone out to see if he texted or called, and it was clear of notifications. He was already running on a thin line with me. He wasn’t about to have nothin’ with me period, and that included mama.
Hunz walked through the door later than I expected. I figured he was behind due to Belle finally givin’ birth to their twins. I was happy for him. They went through a lot to get those babies.
He walked up to me darn near matching my fit. I hated how we thought alike sometimes. A blind man didn’t have to guess twice about us being best friends.
He wore that goofy smile them females went crazy for. I shook my head and dapped him up. He ordered a shot before givin’ me any conversation.
“The fuck bestie got goin’ on. I ain’t never seen so many white people comfortable around this many black people a day in my life.” His comment made me laugh.
“Shut yo’ stupid self up. Mama got somethin’ different on her hands. Them crackers bringing in the money they daddy left them. Us niggas, well, we get a lil’ change and just want to have a good time.”
“And that’s a fact. Aye, dawg, I applaud you for takin’ care of her. Her wife wasn’t shit, and although I will always have her back, I’m glad I don’t have to worry as much anymore.”
There was a silence that fell between us. Hunz was the only person I trusted with my family. He’d been looking out for her since they were kids. She never bad-mouthed him, or vice versa.
I knew what he was capable of, and I knew the lengths he would go to keep the women in his life safe. My baby was in that number. I respected his loyalty to her.
My eyes searched the room until they found the set that were on them. She stood to the side smiling, watching me and Hunz talk. The smile she wore was that of a woman in love. I blushed under her gaze.
That woman was goin’ to be the death of me. I had women look at me in awe before, but when she looked at me, she saw right through me.
Her steps were so calculated she all but glided toward me. Whenever she was in a room, I saw no one but her once I was locked in. Her beauty was unmatched.
“You’re being a creep staring me down like that.”
“Can we go so I can be a creep at home?” she asked, causing my cheeks to turn bright red.
“It’s the disrespect for me. How you doin’? My name is Hunz.” He extended his hand, and she slapped it away.
“I’m sorry, best. I was uhm...”
“Focused on being nasty, so you ain’t hear or see nobody else. Newsflash, ma’am, this yo’ event. You can’t leave. Where the cake at? Ain’t no celebration without it.” He managed to get both of us to explode with laughter.
“Hey, boss. Can we get you over there for a second? The twins said it’s time for your surprise.” One of her employees came to get her for Nina’s last-minute gift.
I followed behind to see what this special surprise was. That was one thing they didn’t let me in on. I prayed it didn’t make her cry. I was tired of wiping her face every two hours.
“May I have everyone’s attention please? As we all know, Journei is expecting. Everyone, meet the new items we had made dedicated to both her daughter and her mother. They will be listed as special-edition items.” Emilia smiled and pulled the covers off.
Journei leaned into me and cried. I mentioned a set of names to her once. I didn’t think she would agree to them or even tell others about them. Those two names were special to me.
Yurina was the name I wanted for my daughter. It was somethin’ I thought to be unique from the mixture of my mom’s name and mamas somehow.
The items were hookah pendants with Yurina’s name as the hose, hookah flavors called Yonei, and two different neon hookah signs with their names signed into the mouthpiece.
They had two sets of candles made, which held two different scents. Yonei smelled like lavender and peach combined while Yurina held a softer smell. Like powder almost.
I was feeling everything they did. Journei wouldn’t stop cryin’, which made some of her guests cry as well. I didn’t know what to do besides give Nina the signal to wrap everything up. It was time to go home after that.
Laying up in the bed, enjoying the comfort of one another was the state we were in. We ended up staying for an extra hour after the grand opening was done to make sure her staff knew how to shut the store down right.
That was the one time I could agree with her when she said she was exhausted. She was pregnant, running around to keep things afloat while I used my time to make sure she was straight.
I admired her professionalism earlier. She didn’t let her introvert side show while networking. Her social skills needed some improvement, but overall, she held her own.
I planted kisses along her forehead. Our time had been tied up lately or apart. Being able to relax and not have a worry was the best thing out. She had been on go mode since her birthday. She had finally reached a level to breathe.
“You good, mama?”
“I’m more than good, baby. Tonight was special. I appreciate you and your family. Y’all came through and made me the center of attention in the most loving way. Thank you, baby.”
“That was all you. I just went along with what you had planned. That was your dream, and you fulfilled it, mama. I’m proud of you.”
“I didn’t tell you about goin’ with Yurina for the baby’s name because I wanted to surprise you, but them damn twins beat me to it. I hope you don’t mind.”
I shook my head while smiling. She really listened, and I never had that. It was always a one-sided relationship for me. That showed she respected my words. One more thing to add to her list.
&
“Why should I? I gave you an opportunity, and you fumbled it. That was the chance to change things around and have them play in yo’ favor. She would’ve taken her foot off yo’ neck and gave yo’ stupid tail self some room to breathe in her life.”
I was at Jourdell’s four by four with him hemmed up against the wall. I was beyond pissed. That sorry excuse of a father and man had the audacity to call the day after, wanting to apologize. The apology would’ve been accepted if his excuse wasn’t a load of bull junk.
“Pastor, I swear my car wouldn’t crank, and I didn’t have the funds for an Uber.”
“Did I or did I not say hit my fuckin’ line if you needed a ride and I would’ve arranged it? So now you got selective fuckin’ hearing?” He flipped the switch in me. I didn’t come to play with him.
Journei didn’t care to see him in the first place, but I know she would’ve appreciated him showing up for her special moment. Little things like that mattered to her.
All he did was nod, which made my blood boil. I slung him across the room onto his sofa. My woman and her time weren’t goin’ to be played with either. Her mouth constantly said no, but I saw in her eyes how she wanted her father’s love.
“I fucked up. I’m sorry,” he cried.
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to. And is that fuckin’ alcohol on yo’ breath? Nigga, get yo’self together before she come in here. And you better mean every fuckin’ word. Got me losing my religion…” My words faded off as I walked out the door.
Journei was in the car waiting for me. I was rooting for their relationship, but with his actions, I didn’t care if that was the last time he ever saw my woman.