Page 133 of Smoke

Korri fumbled with her seatbelt, finally getting it off. She didn’t even grab her book bag as she climbed out of the car. I laughed and shook my head as I reached to the back and grabbed it before getting out and following her to the front steps. She opened the door and ran inside. When she rounded the corner to the living room, she stopped and gasped.

“Juri!” she whisper-yelled.

She ran over to where her grandmother was holding her little sister, stopping just a few feet away.

“Mommy, can I have some sanitizer?” she asked, holding out her hand.

Romi smiled as she grabbed the bottle from the table and squirted some in her hand. Korri quickly rubbed it in before taking a seat next to her grandmother and holding out her armsfor her sister. Mrs. Mitchell giggled as she carefully placed her in her arms.

“I guess that’s my time,” she said.

Korri looked at her sister with so much adoration.

“This is the best surprise,” she declared. “I’m so happy you’re home, Juri.”

I smiled as I leaned against the entryway. I could already tell they were going to be as close as their mom and aunt. Romi stood and came over to me. She wrapped her arms around my waist and tilted her head up for a kiss. I was happy to oblige her.

“Now this feels right,” she said. “All of my loves here.”

I pulled her into a quiet corner by the door.

“Can I ask you something?”

She nodded. “Anything?”

“Did you mean it… you know… when you called me her daddy?”

She smiled. “I don’t see anyone else stepping into those shoes. You’ve been by my side through the roughest time of my life, Devin. You care for me and my children without being asked and with no hesitation. You’re so selfless with us, and… I can see how much you love them both. You’ve built a beautiful bond with them, and it’s more than earned you the title.”

“I’m just making sure. You can’t take it back now.”

She shook her head as she slipped her arms around my waist.

“I wouldn’t dream of taking it back.”

“Good, ’cause when I change your last name, I’m changing theirs too.”

She blushed and motioned me in for another kiss. This one was raw, passionate, and was about to get a little nasty until the doorbell rang. We parted ways, and I opened the door to see several of my family members with dishes of food in their hands. My grams, both my aunts, my mama, my siblings, their wives, and my pops were all here.

“What are y’all doing here?” I asked.

“Nigga, we came to see our niece,” Deuce said. “You texted the family group chat that she was home, so we pulled up with food. She’s about to run y’all ragged. At least you won’t have to cook.”

Maceo added, “Yeah. We know your cooking is limited, nigga.”

“Fu—forget you.”

“Don’t y’all start,” my mama said. “Romi, I hope it’s okay that we stopped by. We won’t stay long. I even brought masks for everybody,” she added, holding up a Ziploc bag.

“Of course, it’s fine. Come on in.”

My mother passed out masks to everybody before they all trickled into the house. Korri was happy to see them all. She never put her sister down to hug them all like she normally would. Baby girl was reluctant to give her up to my mama, but she didn’t fuss.

She finally made her rounds to my siblings, collecting money from Deuce, Maceo, and Steel after Jaeda told her to tell them she wanted new Legos. My brothers were happy to go in their wallets and break her off with $100 a piece.

She made herself comfortable with Salima and Shar since Salima brought Darlyn with them and Shar was expecting. Darlyn was fascinated with my girl. Every step Korri made, she was right behind her.

“I can’t believe you have a whole family,” Deuce said, shaking his head. “Romi walked in your shop and shook up your world.”

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