Page 73 of Juke
“Well, baby. Mama was worried about you for a while,” she countered. All I could do was shake my head because I couldn’t even argue with her on that.
Robin leaned over, smiling. “Don’t let them tease you too much, girl. They’re just happy he finally brought somebody around worth keeping.”
“Facts.” Deion interrupted. “I thought we would have to deal with Nessa forever.”
The whole table went quiet. Mama gave him a sharp look that made him duck his head instantly. “What? I’m just saying.” He shrugged.
“You a dumbass nigga.” I cut my eyes at him.
“Alright, Rashad.” Granny warned.
The food started getting passed, and everybody was talking to each other, carrying on individual conversations. I sat back for a second, one arm stretched behind Sophi’s chair, just watching her laugh with my people.
“Rashad, you glowing.” CiCi suddenly said, cutting her eyes at me.
“Glowing?” Granny raised her brow.
The table went quiet again, all eyes sliding to me and Sophi. She shifted beside me, a little shy but not pulling away. I found her hand under the table and squeezed it.
“Sounds like there’s something you gotta tell us, boy.” Pops mentioned, never taking his eyes off of me.
Mama’s gaze was locked on me too, like she was waiting for my response.
“There is something.” I cleared my throat.
“Oh, my God—” Robin gasped.
“Relax,” I said with a laugh, though my chest was tight. “Ain’t no big announcement… well, yeah, it is. We’re having a baby.”
The room froze. Then Granny clapped her hands together. “Well, I’ll be damned! I knew that gal was spreading.”
Deion blinked, leaning forward. “Wait—what? You? A daddy?”
“Shut yo’ ass up,” I shot back.
“Rashad.” My mama’s voiced cracked as she called my name.
I turned toward her. She was smiling, eyes shining even as her hand covered her mouth like she was trying to hold it all in.
“You serious?” she asked.
“Yeah, Ma,” I said, steady. “You’re about to be a granny.”
She let out a shaky laugh and stood, circling the table. She kissed the top of my head before cupping Sophi’s face. “Look at my baby, ‘bout to have a baby. And you…” She smiled at Sophi, tears in her eyes. “You were already the daughter I never had, but now it’s official.”
“Thank you… Ma.” Sophi simpered with tears of her own.
Mama kissed her forehead, then put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing tight. “I know you’ll take care of them. Just promise me—be present. Don’t let this world take you away from them.” I knew that was more of her in her feelings about my pops being killed. As long as I had breath in my body, she didn’t have to worry about that.
“I got you, Ma.”
“Boy, you better be ready. Babies change everything,” Pops chuckled.
“I am,” I said. “That’s why I’m telling y’all now. Ain’t no half-stepping when it comes to them. They’re already my top priority, and I’m gone do right by both of them.”
Granny sniffed, dabbing her eyes before snapping, “Well, you done made me proud, Rashad. Now pass me them damn greens before I change my mind.”
Laughter exploded around the table again, filling every corner of the house. For the first time in a long time, the weight I carried didn’t feel heavy… and I’d burn the world down before I let anybody take it from me.
