Page 37 of Kairo

“I would like to think I am,” Junie bragged. Her bragging didn’t bother me.

My mother looked at me. Her face had turned serious. “You ready?”

I nodded. My body tensed, but I knew this was something I needed to do. My mother led the way. Junie wrapped her hand in mine. I looked down at her. She gave me a tight smile and a nod as we fell in step with my mama. A thirty second walk felt like eternity as we approached the black granite tombstone. I read the inscription in my head.Son, Father, Legend.The tombstone also had a picture of him on it. There were fresh flowers and solar lights around the grave. I knew my mother was responsible. She always made sure his grave was kept up.

“Go ahead, son. Talk to him.”

I walked closer and squatted in front of the tomb. I placed my hand on it and the coldness chilled my hand. I felt myself getting choked knowing this was the only way I could speak to my father.

“He-Hey Pops.” I sniffled. “Um… I know I haven’t come and talked to you and I’m sorry for that. It’s just hard knowing you’re not here. Life has been hard on me, but I know I gained you as an angel. The proof is in the new things that have come into my life.” I turned around and looked at Junie. She had tears coming down her face. She smiled softly at me and blew me a kiss.

“She’s special, Dad. Thank you for sending her my way. Now I understand why you were so crazy about Ma.” I chuckled.

I didn’t mention finding out who was responsible for his death and the reason behind it. I didn’t want my mother knowing. I couldn’t take giving her news of her brother-in-law being tied to her husband being dead. She would have to grieve all over again.

“Dad, I know it’s been a while since I told you, but I love you. I miss you here on this Earth. I’ll be back to visit soon.”

I kissed my hand then placed it on the tomb. I stood to my feet and turned to the two most important women in my life now. They both were in tears with smiles on their faces.

“Proud of you, son.” She embraced me in a hug.

Even though I towered over her, I felt like a little boy again, being covered with his mother’s love. We pulled away from our embrace and she looked at me. “What on the agenda for you today?”

I looked back at Junie, who smiled softy at the interaction between my mother and me.

“I got a little something planned for her.”

My mother smiled big. “Just like your father. I can tell she’s a special one. Keep her. I would love to have her as a daughter-in-law.” She winked, then walked past me to Junie.

I watched as she gave Junie a big hug. Junie fell into her embrace, just like I did. They rocked back and forth then separated.

“Junie, come have dinner with me one Sunday. Take care of my baby,” my mother said as she headed to her car.

Junie and I walked back to my bike holding hands. Before she placed her helmet on, she reached for my hand.

“What’s up?”

“Thank you for introducing me to your mother. She’s beautiful and so is her spirit. It means a lot that you would even bring me here to meet her and your dad. I love you, Kairo.” She placed a kiss on my lips.

“Love you more, Junie. Thank you for not running away from all this. I know it’s a lot.”

“It’s not a lot. I’m locked in with you. With you, nothing is ever too much.”

She slid on her helmet and climbed on the back of the bike. I knew I made the right choice with her.

After we left the cemetery, we arrived at the motorcycle shop. I shut the engine off and removed my helmet. Junie climbed off the bike and removed hers as well.

“You coming to get a new bike?” she asked.

I tried my best to hide my smile. “Something like that.”

I grabbed Junie’s hand, and we walked in the store. As soon as we walked in, I could see Junie looking around at all the bikes. The store was completely empty so she could see them all. Before she could speak, the owner of the store, Ricky, met us right at the entrance.

“My boy, Kairo! What’s going on?” he asked, walking toward me dapping me up.

“Not shit, Ricky. I appreciate you doing this for me, especially at the last minute.”

“Man, I told you, I got you regardless of how shit is.”

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