Page 36 of Beautiful Harmonies

“I can only imagine. Well, instead of waiting until tomorrow, I want to sing the song for her now. Maybe it will make her feel better.”

“Mi!” I yelled as Kamari jumped.

I chuckled as she shoved me. “You think you could have been any louder? Scared the hell out of me.”

Mi joined us in the front room and said, “What’chu want, nigga? Hollering at me like you crazy. Hey, sis. I see you made it back.”

Instead of responding to her, Kamari just started playing and singing. When she sang how hard it was to overcome trials and adversity, but she would bear it with her, Mi slowly sat in the chair across from her. When she sang about being her sister and being there for her, whether she thought she needed her or not, I couldn’t help but smile.

The bond they’d established was one I admired. Sometimes, I wished I had a brother. Jayden had promised to kick it with me when he went on break from school, but I wasn’t as friendly as Kamari. I didn’t bond with people as easily.

When Kamari was done singing and had set her guitar to the side, Mi’Junae dove on her, kissing her repeatedly like she was PePé Le Pew. I laughed as they did. When Mi finally got off her, she broke down in tears, and Kamari hugged her like a big sister would. I stood from the couch and gave them their privacy.

Going to the kitchen, I grabbed a glass to pour some strawberry lemonade and got a bag of chips from the pantry. Since we were going out tonight, I didn’t want to eat anything too heavy. I leaned against the countertop, watching Mi and Kamari talk. I couldn’t hear them, but I could tell by the expression on their faces that their words were filled with love and support.

At that moment, it was like I could hear my mother speaking to me from heaven. Her words were always uplifting and encouraging, even while being a comedian at times. They were no different this time.

You did well, son. Don’t worry about the mistakes you may have made or the bad decisions. The important thing is thatyou did what you could after being thrown into shoes that you thought were too big for you to fill. You ran the race with those muthafuckas flopping off your feet, and you won. You have a beautiful woman who loves not only you, but Mi too. Through her, you inherited a genuine family that loves both of you. There’s nothing more I want for the two of you. I love you.

I smiled as I took a swig of my lemonade. Life had its challenges and its way of making you think there was no hope. However, through God and a positive mindset, things could turn for the better. I was beyond grateful that I was here to see ‘the better’ it had to offer.

Kamari turned in her seat, scanning the room, obviously looking for me. When her eyes met mine, she smiled and winked. I smiled back and curled my finger, beckoning for her to join me. She stood and made her way to me. When she got close enough, I grabbed her hand and pulled her to me, her body flushed against mine.

“Kamari Carrier, you came in our lives and served as a light in a dark tunnel. Thank you for your love, support, and genuineness. I look forward to building a future with you. You’re my forever.”

She smiled. “I thank God daily for allowing our paths to cross at the studio. It was that night that I knew you would be the man to change me forever. I love you, Deontray.”

I kissed her forehead then her lips. “I love you more, Mari.”

SIX MONTHS LATER…

“Girl,it’s so fucking hot out here! How do you deal?” Mi asked.

“First of all, this is Miami. Florida has a different kind of heat thatIdon’t even like. But… it’s not too far from what I’m used to in Lafayette,” I responded as Mulan, Tiana, and my mama agreed with head nods.

We were in Miami, having the time of our lives. Deontray had a show later tonight, and we were shopping. We’d already been to the beach, and I felt like my skin was on fire. I didn’t know why I didn’t think to pack sunscreen. As long as I didn’t get in the water, I was fine. However, the minute I did, the sun boiled that shit on me. I was a shade darker and burnt the fuck up. Thankfully, I wore a visor, so my face was okay. Nowhere else was safe though.

The fun but not-so-fun part was last night, after I bathed, Tray rubbed me down with cocoa butter. He rubbed me down again this morning then indulged in the treasure between my legs. He couldn’t get enough of me, and I surely couldn’t get enough of him. We went everywhere with each other, and the media couldn’t get enough of it.

The speculation about the nature of our relationship had died down, and they’d started embracing the love we shared. It was visible to anyone in our presence. We had to always touch in some way, even if we were just holding hands. When the Grammys rolled around about three months ago, we had the red carpet sizzling with racy poses and sweet kisses. By the time we got inside, I had to go refresh my lipstick. Tray had eaten all that shit off with the way he sucked my lips.

I believed it was then that everyone started accepting how in love we were. If we didn’t have a show, we stayed in our own bubble with our family, enjoying each other’s company. I knew that man as if I’d grown up with him in the same household. I could look at him and know what he needed before he said a word and vice versa. He was my confidant when I needed to talk, my encourager when I was doubting myself, and my lover when I wanted to feel extra womanly. Deontray was my best friend, and my girls understood everything about that.

After we paid for our things, we got in the car and made our way back to the hotel to rest and prepare for the turnup tonight. I was so proud of Deontray. His latest album had gone triple platinum. He’d also won two Grammys this year with a promise of winning more next year. He’d installed a glass trophy case at his house to house them.

“Mari, what are you wearing tonight?” my mama asked. “I don’t want to be overdressed. I need to look like one of the girls and not a mother.”

I rolled my eyes as I giggled. My mama was fire, and she knew it. It didn’t matter what she wore. She would still draw attention. That was why Daddy and Jayden refused to let us come to Miami without him. He said,“Ain’t nobody gon’ be trying to get a piece of my cake.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his playfully insecure comments. I told him to just say he wanted to go with us to Miami, instead of making it seem like he was being forced to be here. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself too. They were out and about, taking in the sights with Deontray and a few of his security guys. We were meeting back at the resort for lunch, then we would chill out until it was time to head to the arena.

“Mama, I’m probably wearing next to nothing. You feel this heat?”

She giggled then pulled a bikini top from her bag. “I guess I will be too. Yo’ daddy gon’ have a whole fit, but it’ll pay off later.”

I fake gagged then smiled. My parents were a trip, but I loved it. They didn’t play about each other. I knew Deontray and I would be the same.

“Yeah, sha!” Tiana yelled. “Gon’ give Mister Caleb a heart attack, yeah.”

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