Page 83 of Deuce

He waved me off. “I knew you two would get along. She’s always wanted a daughter. I mean, she has my sisters, but that’s different.”

“Your siblings are close with your mom?”

“They are. We were raised together. We spent nights at each other’s house and shit. Plus, she comes to Sunday dinner most every Sunday. My people love her.”

“Your dad’s girlfriend is cool with her?”

“Maddie knows the nigga she’s claiming. It’s no secret Pops still wants my mama. I mean, you can see it in the way he looks at her. They were together for a hot minute before Maddie came back into the picture. I love that man, but that nigga doesn’t know which baby mama he wants to be with. I don’t get in their business like that. They’re grown.”

“I get that. I miss my dad. I’m sure you’re aware he died a few years ago.”

“I am. I just didn’t wanna step on your feelings about that by bringing it up.”

I took a seat at the table. “It’s okay. I have nothing but good memories of him so it doesn’t make me cry. I’m really still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he used to run drugs with your uncle.”

He chuckled. “Yeah… Uncle Blake told me about that. My loudmouth ass siblings brought your name up at dinner last Sunday and he asked about you.”

“Soooo… am I meeting the family today?”

“You want to?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Like I said, I’m a little nervous. I don’t know what I’m getting into.”

“I mean, we don’t sit around brandishing our guns and discussing the family business. Sundays are chills days. We eat, drink, talk shit, and have fun. Same shit you’d do with your people. We’re just like any other family… well mostly.”

“Are outsiders typically welcomed?”

“If you’re with me, you ain’t no outsider. They will respect you. They might get in your business a little bit, but they’ll be cool.”

He pulled out his phone and tapped away on it. The next thing I heard was the sound of a FaceTime call. A few seconds later, I heard the sweetest voice of an older woman.

“Hey, Deuce.”

“What’s going on, Grams?”

“Trying to get this food together. You need something?”

“How about I come help y’all out?”

“You’re volunteering to do more than feed your face?”

He chuckled. “Don’t do me like that, old woman. You want my help or naw?”

“Well, come on.”

“I’m bringing you something, too. Well, more like someone.”

“Oh!” Excitement filled her voice. “Is it the young lady that had breakfast with your mama?”

“Yeah, Grams. It’s her.”

“Good. You know I had to call and be nosy. Your mama said she’s a lovely girl and so sweet.”

He looked over at me and grinned. “She a’ight.”

I playfully kicked him under the table.

“She’s more than alright if you brought her back here. I can’t wait to meet her.”

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