Page 28 of Standing In The Sun
Sheena sighed again, like this was so much work for her. “Yea, hold on.” Ahvi heard some shuffling before she rattled off the number.
Ahvi memorized it instantly, her mind already working through the next step.
“Figure out what you doin’ when you get out,” Sheena said before the line clicked dead.
Ahvi stood there for a second, the phone still pressed to her ear, even though the call had ended.
Her chest heaved, anger burning hot under her skin, but beneath that…beneath all the frustration and resentment was fear. Fear of harm coming to her baby and fear of not seeing him for a while.
She didn’t know Lunar, didn’t know what kind of situation Kamari was in and it was driving her crazy . But even through her fear, she saw the images of Big Lunar and his boyish grin and confident smile reassuring her that Kamari would be good with his son. He’d be cared for until she got back to her baby and that brought her a little comfort.
* * *
The Jade City house was full. Bodies were packed in every room, yet somehow, Lunar had never felt more alone. The air was thick with grief and something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It was the kind of grief that didn’t settle but sat heavy on your chest, pressing down with every breath you take. Short clips of his father looped on the TV flashing pieces of a life Lunar never got to touch.
Big Lunar, the legend.
Big Lunar, the dreamer.
Big Lunar, the ghost he’d spent his whole life chasing.
Kamari had been passed around like a hot potato for two days straight, wailing every time he landed in the wrong arms. Tiny shook her head as she watched Kamari cry in Luna’s grip.
“Take his crybaby ass to Lunar or Pimp since them the only ones he don’t cry with,” she said, amused but exasperated.
Her heart had been running from the moment she heard Big Lunar’s voice. So much of him had been shared and every selfish part of her wanted to have kept the memories to herself. She felt it was her right but when sorrowful sobs turned into peaceful tears, she knew sharing their memories with her family had been the right thing to do.
Luna sucked her teeth, bouncing Kamari against her chest. “He just gotta get used to us… ain’t that right, Mari?”
Kamari stopped just long enough to make her think she’d won. Then he picked right up where he left off, his little face scrunching in distress. She tried to soothe him by smoothing his thick and untamed hair down.
“And this is why I ain’t in a hurry to have kids,” Noodle deadpanned before snatching a piece of fried fish fresh from the pan.
Tiny smirked, stirring a pot of creamy cheese grits. “We can’t tell,” she quipped just as Bu came up behind Noodle, hooking an arm around her waist.
Noodle playfully shoved a bite-size piece of fish into his mouth.
“See?” Tiny wagged her spoon in triumph.
Noodle rolled her eyes. “Mav need to come get his wife.”
“I agree,” Luna said, smirking, only for Tiny to cut her a sharp look.
Bu laughed, shaking his head. “Man, he where I need to be ‘cause it’s too much estrogen in here.”
“Please,” Tiny scoffed. “You can’t keep your hands off Noodle.”
“Or go five minutes without laying eyes on her,” Luna added with a knowing smirk.
With betrayal written on her face, Noodle gasped, hand on her heart. “You are so fake! You was just on my side.”
“I’m only on the side of right.”
Noodle waved her off, going to check the biscuits. Exhaustion was starting to creep in. Hopping on a plane, crossing time zones, and crying until she felt hollow had her weary and hungry.
Tiny popped Noodle’s hand before she could grab one. “You sure you ain’t already pregnant?” her brows rose in question.
“Nah, she ain’t…I make sure she take that pill faithfully,” Bu said lazily, sneakily pinching her ass.
