He walked over to the wall to answer her. “What?”
“Breakfast is ready.”
“Yeah, a’ight.” He turned and looked at me. “Bro, I don’t want to argue with you. You’re my big brother, and I love you, but don’t tell me how to run my relationship. We have an understanding, and I take good care of her and my daughter. She don’t want for shit. So, are we good?” he asked, holding his hand out to me.
I shook my head and pulled him into my arms. “We good, man.”
“Good. Let’s go eat. I’m still kind of fucked up from last night and need to put something on my stomach.”
I didn’t warrant his comment with a reply. I simply nodded and followed him out of the enclosure gates.
We walked into the kitchen to a spread of good-looking food. Jela was at the table feeding Scottlyn when we walked in. The sight of her with rollers in her hair, fresh face, with a robe on was fucking tantalizing—more tantalizing than the beautiful breakfast she made. Although I was still a little heated about the exchange with Dame, I smiled as I approached my niece.
“Good morning, Miss Jela,” I greeted.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Chunks,” I said, tickling her belly, making her giggle in her cute voice. I took a seat across from her and looked at Jela. “Everything looks good. I missed having a home-cooked meal.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome. So, where you from, sis-in-law?” I asked her.
She chewed her food before she responded, “Detroit, well, Rochester Hills.”
“Nice. Our cousin Dominic used to live out that way, and I did a few homes out there, so I know a lil’ something about it.”
She nodded her head and continued to eat. I was trying to get her to open up because she didn’t talk much. I wanted to get to know the real Jela, not the timid one before me.
Pushing for more, I asked, “Your people from there too?”
Another awkward beat of silence. “Uh, y-yes. My mom and my sister.”
“Oh, yeah? How old is your sister?”
“Thirty-five.”
“Are you the baby?”
“No… I’m the eldest. I’m thirty-six.”
My eyes ballooned. “Get out of here! You don't look no older than twenty-eight.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”
“You should because it definitely was. Anyway, since you’re marrying my brother, you think I can get sis' phone number?” I chuckled lightly, scooping some grits into my mouth.
Damn, this shit’s good.
“Excuse me.” She stood from the table and went to grab Scottlyn, but Dame halted her.
“Sit down, J.”
“I need to get ready to meet the planner?—”
“What did I say?” She sighed and sat down. “Jela hasn't spoken to her people in almost a year. They disowned her for being with me,” Dame explained.
“Damn, my bad, shorty.” Now I understood why she was crying last night. She missed them. “I mean, this nigga can be a handful, but I know he knows how to show respect. But it’s their loss, you feel me?”
