Page 39 of Juke
“Hey, Granny,” I called back. “You act like I’m always late.”
“You ain’t always on time, either,” she shot back. “And who is this pretty young lady?” my granny asked.
“Granny, this is Sophi. Sophi, this is my granny.”
“Nice to meet you.” She stuck her hand out for my granny to shake. At first Granny just looked at it before pulling her into a hug.
“Oh, girl. If this boy brought you here, then we’re way past handshakes.” She smirked.
We walked further inside where everybody was, and I greeted them and introduced Sophi at the same time. “Aight, everybody…this is Sophi. Sophi, this is everybody.” I wasn’t about to introduce everybody individually like we were taking roll call.
“Aye, are you here against your will? I know this ugly ass nigga ain’t pulled you,” Deion’s stupid ass said.
“Deion, don’t make me embarrass you in front company,” Granny warned.
My granddaddy gave me a nod, then looked her over with an approving smile. “You did good, boy,” he praised.
“Well, he might not introduce everybody else, but I’m his mama. You can call me Chenelle. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She revealed, causing Sophi to look back at me.
“Ma,” I groaned.
I was glad when my granny called my mama because I knew she was about to run out. I walked over and introduced her to my aunt, uncle, and Robin. Robin’s face lit up when she saw her. She was like a sister to me, so she was glad to see me with somebody other than Nessa’s ho ass.
Robin grinned at Sophi. “Finally, somebody for me to talk to besides these crazy people. Come sit by me.”
Sophi glanced at me, and I gave her a small nod before letting her go join Robin at the table. I stayed back with Deion and MJ. Yeah… they liked her already. I couldn’t even lie—I liked that they did. Granny called everybody to the table like it was an old-school roll call. We filed into the dining room, and Granny didthe damn thing. She had macaroni, greens, cornbread, roasted chicken, yams, and two pound cakes and a peach cobbler. I pulled out the seat next to me so Sophi could sit down. Robin was on the other side of her while CiCi was on my other side and Deion across from me, looking me in the face with that stupid ass grin. Granddaddy said grace and as soon as he was finished, we dove in.
“So, Sophi,” Aunt Angie started, “you from here?”
“No, ma’am.” She nodded. “I moved here with my family a little while ago.”
“Oh really? Who’s your family?” my mama asked.
“The DeLucas. My mama’s sister is married to Grant DeLuca,” she informed.
“Is that right?” Mama asked.
Sophi nodded.
“So, you’re related to that rude one that runs the gambling house?” Aunt Angie asked.
That caused me and Sophi to laugh.
“Yeah, Buck is my cousin.”
“Mhm,” Granny cut in from the other end, “and somehow you found your way to my grandson.”
Sophi looked at me and blushed. “I mean… he kind of found me.”
“Girl, you don’t have to be nice,” CiCi added. “We all know Rashad ain’t got no game.”
I leaned back in my chair. “Y’all got me fu? y’all tripping.”
“That’s what family’s for,” Deion said with a mouth full of greens. “Keep you humble.”
Robin nudged Sophi gently. “Don’t let ’em scare you off. Once you make it past the first dinner, you’re good.”
“She’s already good,” Granny said, slicing into her chicken. “She has manners. She’s pretty, and she ain’t tryna talk over me. That’s a win in my book.”
