Page 40 of Mahogany 2
“Okay, okay. Get however much you think we’ll need. Don’t forget—it’s about a hundred of us.”
“Aight, bet,” I said, as I pulled the Instacart app up to order one can of cranberry sauce.
Hours later,I was done with work and running my errands. After I finished up at the house, I went to Somerset for moms birthday gift. Got her a new MCM bag and perfume. After that, I hit Hutch’s and grabbed her a Cartier set and a pair of glasses. I ate a little something, chilled, and before I knew it, it was time to head out to grab O. After I told Luna he was riding with me, she asked to ride with me too. I knew what it was. Them muthafuckas needed an excuse to leave and because I never stayed long at functions, they could use riding with me as an excuse to go. I wasn’t tripping—I knew how my siblings were. Lu might’ve been the oldest but I was big dawg for real.
I sat back against the seat, weed in my lap and rolled up. I smoked often—not every day, all day, but often enough. And it had to be quality. One of my little cousins talked cash shit about me not copping from him. Fuck would I do that for? If all he sold was dirt and I could afford better shit? I chopped it up with him, tried to get him to invest in the dispensaries, wanted him to do better but he was bent on working the corner. That petty shit was ass. But even if I could get him to see the vision, he wouldn’t execute. Most people are better where they are comfortable.
About ten minutes after pulling up, Orion was getting in the car. He extended his hand, and I slapped it. Sizing me up he said,“Damn nigga, fuck you ain’t tell me we wasn’t comin suit and tie?”
I looked over what he had on and laughed. “Nigga, suit and tie for what? Man, I ain’t got time for that shit today.” Pausing, I dusted weed crumbs off my lap. “I’m chillin’.”
O was crazy as hell to think I was coming suit and tie for the party when I put that shit on five days a week.
He sucked his teeth and looked down at his burgundy suit. “We ain’t supposed to be in burgundy? I thought we were matching moms tonight.”
“Pops and the grandkids are—not us,” I reminded him.
“Oh shit, that’s probably why I thought…. Man hold up, let me go change.”
Orion was the only one of us with living children. He had two girls—Jupiter and Mars. Ghetto twins with two different mommas. Because I understood why he got mixed up with the color shit, I didn’t trip when he got out to change. Instead, I sparked fire to my blunt and waited.
After about fifteen minutes, O was back, dressed in a pair of jeans and a tee like me. Black too. I snorted, shaking my head at it but said nothing. Orion looked up to me which again, was crazy as hell considering I was the youngest. Only by a minute or so but still.
“Pass the blunt, bitch,” he said, as soon as he strapped in.
I pulled from it and passed it to him, deciding he could face it if he wanted to. I wanted to be high enough to deal with the family, but not too high where I couldn’t function. Weed was my vice of choice—I didn’t drink. Not anymore. Back when Nova died, I drank a lot. Could polish a fifth of Don off within two days, by my lonely. And that’s what I was—lonely. I suffered through that loss by myself, although technically, I wasn’t alone. Since getting my mind right, I rarely drank. The only time I touched a drink was when I secured a business deal and we wentout to celebrate. Then I’d only had one—just to toast. Drinking put me in a bad headspace, so I always made sure to be one and done.
The ride to Luna’s house was a breeze. We didn’t stay too far from each other. Just fifteen minutes between spots. We set it up that way on purpose. We were close as hell and didn’t want to be too far from one another. My siblings meant the world to me, and I needed to be able to get to them ASAP if needed. If it were up to Luna, we would stay at the compound together. And while I fucked with them heavy, I enjoyed my alone time more. Needed it. Growing up as a triplet was weird. I craved connection but enjoyed solitude too.
About thirty minutes later, we were pulling up at the venue.
“Look at Ricky,” Luna said, laughing. “Why is he wearing a mink? Winter is over.”
Ricky was blocking the entrance, busy taking pictures of himself in a ridiculous ass mink.
“Because the nigga wanna stunt on Niecy’s kids,” Orion said with a laugh before passing the blunt to Luna. She declined it as usual.“Not knowing Niecy’s kids can’t be stunted on with his dumb ass.”
“Stop playing with me, O,” She fussed.
“Shit nigga, you need it. Been gettin’ on our nerves about this party for months. I know you about to trip if you walk in and one thing is out of place.”
She sucked her teeth. “Shut up. I just wanted it to be good, that’s all.”
While they talked, I shifted the car in park and looked around the parking lot. It was packed, as expected. And I was ready to leave already, before even walking in. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the L, needing another pull. Orion passed it to me and I took a couple pulls before it was done.
“Gone have me walking in smelling like weed,” Luna complained, rummaging through her purse. “I really hope I brought my perfume. Oh my God! Where is it… Please God… Please…” She took a deep breath and said, “Thank you Lord.”
I looked over at Orion and he shook his head. “But she don’t need to hit the weed though.”
I laughed, killed the engine and grabbed my phone to get out. Luna did need to smoke. She thought too much. Did too much. Worried too much. She was about to have a whole ass panic attack just because she couldn’t find her perfume. Tonight was about to be one for the books, for sure.
Once we were out of the car, we made our way up to the entrance. The party was scheduled to start in about fifteen minutes. Luna asked everyone to be early so when moms came with Pops and the grandbabies, they would be the only ones walking in. That left a bitter taste in my mouth for sure. Nova was supposed to be a part of it all. She’d be seven by now. I would have had her set up nice in a beautiful burgundy gown and everything. Any time moms did something special with the kids, I felt slighted. Needed to burn something. Needed to take a couple deep breaths. I was bitter. Didn’t like that shit. Hated everything about it, to be honest. But… it was what it was and there was nothing I could do about fate.
“What up doe?” Ricky spoke, as we approached.
Chucking my chin, I slapped hands with him. “What up fool. I see you with the mink. Go crazy, nigga.”
Orion laughed and ran his hand down over the fur. “That bitch cold as hell cuz. I ain’t even gon’ lie to you.”
