Page 48 of Divine Sense

“Thank you for the ride, sir.”

“Of course, it wasn’t a problem. You in school, Josiah?” Kolbi asked.

“Yes, sir, I graduate from St. John’s in June.”

“You going to college?” Josiah looked down at his feet and kicked a piece of gravel.

“Uhh…I wish. My family doesn’t have the kind of money you need for college though.”

Kolbi nodded gently and pursed his lips. “You workin’ now?”

I wondered where he was going with all the questions but knowing Kolbi, they had a purpose.

“Yes sir, I just got done working the overnight shift at the gas station up the road. I’m working nights and weekends there to save for college.”

“Yeah, I remember those days.” The corners of his mouth pulled back as he chuckled at a memory. “Here, take my card and call me tomorrow. I want to talk more with you about getting an education. College is important for young Black men and I don’t want you to miss out on that opportunity if that’s what you want.” Josiah’s eyes went wide and took the business card Kolbi was handing him as if it were a check for a million dollars. His eyebrows met in the middle as he read the card and then looked back at Kolbi in utter disbelief.

“Wait, you’reKolbi Vesey?” The kid’s voice cracked as he said his name, unable to deter the shock he felt from slipping out. I looked at Kolbi who was looking at Josiah with a gentle knowing.

“That I am. Call me tomorrow?” He pointed a finger to Josiah as he slipped the car into reverse.

“Yes sir, I absolutely will. It was nice meeting you both.” He waved at both of us before jogging up towards the house. We pulled down the gravel driveway once more and once on the road again, I tapped him on the leg.

“What was that about? Why did he act like that when he knew who you were?”

“Like I said, I like to give back to the community. I guess my support has given me a good reputation.” He beamed at me proudly as I sat stunned in the passenger seat.

Who is this guy? And why did Josiah just act like he was some kind of local celebrity?

32

KOLBI

After a few more minutes of driving, we finally pulled up to the small house that sat at the end of a long gravel driveway. Its recognizable mint green paint couldn’t be missed along the tree lined property. Nine or ten cars were parked out front in the grass in imaginary parking spots just like they usually were on Sunday mornings. I’m not sure what prompted me to bring her to family brunch but once the decision came to my mind I knew I had to. There was something about bringing the two most important parts of my life together: my family and my girl. There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in me that worried about anyone inside the house saying anything about us being together. We mind our own business and take care of one another in our family.

“You ready?” I looked towards her and loved how she occupied any and all free space in my mind. Gone were the days where I would ponder anything other than her when I had a few moments in my day. Now, whenever I wasn’t working or with my friends, I was thinking about her.

“Where are we?” She looked to me and then to the house I’d bought for my parents after my first million dollar year. They had given up so much for me and my sisters growing up and I wanted to give back to them as much as possible. I tried to get them to move into the city to be closer to me, but they refused. ‘Our family has lived on this land for generations and we will continue to do so,’ they had protested. So instead of moving, we renovated the trailer I’d grown up in, donated it to a family in need, and then built them this home on the same plot of land that generations before me had grown up on. It wasn’t big or extravagant but it was enough for my parents and gave my grandparents their own space off the back so they could stay here too.

“We’re home, angel. This is my family home, brunch starts in fifteen minutes.” Her eyes turned into saucers and she started to pat down her hair as if it were sticking out in every which way.

“I’m meeting your family?” she squawked. Her green eyes darted from me to the house and stared at it for a few long seconds. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were taking me to meet your family. I would have worn something nicer!”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you because you’re perfect just as you are now. No need for fancy dresses or heels here,” I soothed, taking one of her hands in mine and rubbing the back of it with my thumb. “Now come on, I want to introduce my girlfriend to my family.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt and nearly leaped out of the car. Once on her side, I pulled the door open and helped her out. She wiped her hands down her skirt that didn’t need fixing and took the hand I was extending to her. As we walked up to the front door, I could hear the music blasting from the kitchen window on the side of the house and sounds of jubilant laughter on the other side of the door. A buzz of nerves suddenly hit me like a freight train behind my chest. I hadn’t told them she was comingjust like I didn’t tell her where we were going. My hand hesitated at the doorknob, wondering if what I was doing was really a good idea after all, but before I could change my mind, the front door swung open and I was met with the figure of one of my sisters in front of me.

“Ahhh, look what the cat dragged in,” she teased before bringing her eyes to the petite girl standing next to me. “And it brought a friend I see.” I stepped forward and pulled my younger sister in for a hug.

“Happy to see you, too, T,” I said into her ear, her afro’d hair tickling my lips as I did. I swatted it with my hand and pretended to spit it out. “Girl, your hair is out of control.”

“Psshh, you don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. The bigger the hair, the closer to God, as they say.” She smirked and fluffed her hair after we pulled out of the hug. Turning towards Magnolia, she extended her arms and pulled her into a hug. They were a non-negotiable in our family. “I’m Tiana. My brother must like you a lot if he brought you to family brunch.” Magnolia’s body was stiff as my sister held her close and pulled away looking completely dumbfounded by her welcome.

“I hope he does because I like him a lot too. I wish he would’ve told me where we were going though, I would have brought something.” She shot me a glare as she threw me under the bus and my sister clucked her tongue.

“Big brother, you didn’t warn this nice girl that you were bringing her home to the wolves?” A look of fear grew on Magnolia’s face which Tiana and I both caught. “Don’t worry, they’re harmless. There’s just a lot of us and it can be overwhelming. Plus, this is the first time my big brother has ever brought a girl home. They’ll be all over you like flies to honey.” Tiana winked before cackling, her words not helping to dispel the look of fear on Magnolia’s face.

“She’s just playin’,” I assured her, leaning down to give her a peck on the cheek. Tiana’s eyebrows shot towards her afro at my public display of affection and pushed her lips out like a duck.

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