Page 49 of My Brother's Keeper
What the fuck happened to you?
“I’ll be alright, just a strain,” he said.
Nigga that doesn’t look like a strain to me. What about basketball?
He cut his eyes at me. “Nigga I said I’m alright!” he snapped.
I nodded slowly. I knew something was up with Zay, I could smell it. Moments later, Mison came through the door and stopped when he saw Xavier. They both stared with no words until Zay moved closer to him. “You look good,” he said to him.
Mison nodded. “A little over a week. I’m trying. I see you hurt yourself. I won’t pry, but I hope shit gets better,” he paused. Mison’s eyes watered because, although he had taken us through a lot of shit, we had always been there for each other. This was the first time we had all been separated from each other this long.
“I’m sorry, Zay. I know I’m not a hundred percent, but I’m trying. You two niggas are my rock, and I am nothing without either one of you.”
He gripped our sweaters and pulled us in for a hug. This was the first time, since I could remember, that we bonded like this since our mother had died.
MALI
Today was going good so far. To be around the Zoo felt good; it felt like family, which was something I hadn’t experienced in years. I appreciated the guys because they didn’t display any alcohol. If they were drinking, I couldn’t tell you where it came from. Everyone took their seats at the table after two hours of Zaria giving instructions. I glanced down at my watch because Symphony was supposed to be here by now.
The sounds of glass chiming caught my attention. “Thank you to everyone for being here. Thank you for allowing June and me to share our home with you—”
Chevy stood as he sat at the other end of the table. “Nah, Z, this was all you.”
She cut her eyes at him, and they stared at each other for a minute before she pulled her eyes away to look back at everyone before smiling. She turned to Preach, who was on the side of her. “Will you do us the honor of saying grace?” she asked.
Preach smiled, then glanced at Chevy. “I think Chev should do it. This is the Calloway home, it’s only right.” He winked.
Monfua leaned over toward me. “Now you know that nigga don’t know how to pray.”
He and I both laughed.
“Come on, Chev, you got this, just don’t give us a fucking speech,” Foe jumped in.
Dio began laughing, “Now you know this nigga Chev likes to hear himself talk. I mean,Ouch!Fuck you do that for, Mars?” Dio snapped.
Samara gave a weak smile. “I’m hungry and you're trying to get him riled up.”
Chevy pointed at Dio, but Harvey and Diamond both threw their hands up. “Shit, here we go.”
Zeus looked at Dio and nodded toward Chevy, as if he wanted him to say something. I could see the nervousness in Sasha’s eyes. She cleared her throat. “Mali, how are you feeling?” she asked.
I knew she was trying to change the subject. I smiled at her. “A nigga cooling. How—”
Chevy waved his hand. “Nah fuck all that, Samara, Dio, what’s up?”
Everyone’s attention focused on them. I watched as Peanut snickered, and his new friend was anticipating what was next. Lakia then shot up from the table. “Myles, how long are you not going to talk to me? It’s Thanksgiving, and I’ve said I’m sorry.”
Monfua tried to sit her down, but Foe had already tuned in. “Kia, before I say something to make you cry, chill out. Me and your nigga just got cool.”
Shit was beginning to take a turn for the worse. Navi turned to Bishop, “Are you two going to get back together? Or we’re going to move forward.”
Everyone’s heads snapped their way. Water flew from Bishop’s lips.
“I know you fucking lying!” Yana shouted.
Harvey’s head shook. “I knew it!” she yelped.
Zaria looked at Navi, “No! Indigo is my friend and you—
