“Iskyiah Nathans, a mother. Now why you ain’t ever told me nothin’?” Marlon asked with his hands on his hips. He had a little pot belly in his old age, but his skin was still a deep chocolate color that looked smooth—no wrinkles in sight.
Iskyiah glanced at Moolah, and her cheeks warmed. “I didn’t want you to tell Moolah.”
Moolah’s face frowned up. “What’s wrong wit’ me knowin’ about my own daughter?”
Iskyiah elbowed him in his side. He stayed making comments like that, and she didn’t want him to confuse Brooke. At this point, though, she didn’t even know why she bothered. Moolah was going to say whatever the fuck he wanted to say. Period.
“You tellin’ me you wouldn’t have turned up if you found out I was pregnant way back then?” She sugarcoated her words for Brooke’s sake. What she really wanted to ask if he was sure he wouldn’t have found Charles and killed the man before his time for putting a baby in her.
Moolah thought about it and shrugged. “You got that one. What’s up, old man?” He looked at Marlon.
“What’s good, Mo?” Marlon said as he ushered Iskyiah and Brooke into the house.
Moolah stepped inside with a deep frown. “I don’t like how I’m bein’ treated.”
“Boy, what is you talkin’ ’bout?” Marlon asked as he led them into the living room.
It was super old school with no TV. Just a couple of cream-colored couches, a rug, and a coffee table. Framed photos littered the walls, and there was a fireplace that wasn’t lit but had plenty of wood inside.
“You gave Sky a hug and smiled when you saw her. Ain’t even barely look my way.”
Iskyiah shook her head and grabbed his hand, tugging him down onto the couch beside her. She knew he just needed some love. He got testy sometimes when he went too long without her touch.
Immediately, he relaxed beside her as she cuddled up next to him. Brooke sat on the other side of Moolah, and he draped his arm around the back of her.
Marlon looked at the three of them, and to Iskyiah, it looked like he might burst into tears. He rushed out of the room and quickly returned with an old-school camera. “Let me capture this here moment.”
“Here this nigga goes,” Moolah grumbled.
Iskyiah pinched him and smiled for the camera. After taking a few pictures, Marlon settled into a recliner and gazed at the three of them for a moment longer before his eyes settled on Moolah. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, Unc.”
“You decided to spend ya birthday in Montana this year, huh?”
Moolah shrugged. Iskyiah had been wondering about that too. Moolah was the type to go somewhere luxurious for his birthday, not a farm. “Wanted to see my old man.”
Marlon grunted. “Yeah, okay. You must got somethin’ on ya mind. When you’re ready to tell me about it, I have a cigar waiting for us and an old bottle of bourbon I’ve been dyin’ to crack open.”
“That’s a bet.” Moolah nodded. He didn’t disagree with Marlon, which made Iskyiah believe something really was on Moolah’s mind. She wondered what it was.
“Ms. Brooke, do you like animals?” Marlon asked.
Brooke’s eyes lit up. “I saw you have goats.”
“Sure do. Mo, why don’t you go show her around? When ya finish, you all can get cleaned up and we can go to Bessie’s Diner for dinner. Best chicken fried steak you’ll ever have,” Marlon suggested.
Brooke hopped up and tugged on Moolah’s hand while she looked at Iskyiah. “Can we, Mama?”
“You two go ahead. I want to visit with Uncle Marlon for a bit.”
Moolah leaned over and kissed Iskyiah on the cheek before he stood. “Y’all better not be talkin’ shit about me either.”
“And if we do?” Marlon asked with his thick brows raised.
“Yeah, aight, old man. Be easy,” Moolah joked as he walked out of the room with Brooke tugging on his hand.
When they were gone, Iskyiah looked at Marlon and asked, “How you been? I’ve missed you.”
