“I’ve missed you too. When Mo called and told me he reconnected with you, I swear I smiled for a full twenty-four hours. You know you always been a part of the family.”
“I know, and I appreciate that. But how you been?” she asked again.
Marlon waved her off. “Oh, you know. Gettin’ old. I have some young boys who come by every day and handle the farm now. Mo hired ’em. Somewhere along the line, the work got to be too much for me. How about you, Sky? How you been? How’s ya brother? I’m sorry to hear about Ms. Wanda, by the way. I wanted to come to the funeral, but I was sick.”
“Thank you, and it’s okay. Grandma had a whole lot of love at her funeral. I’ve been good, though. I can’t really complain, especially now that Moolah done got his hands on me again.”
When Marlon laughed, his eyes crinkled at the corners, the only real sign of aging. “Let me tell you something, Iskyiah. That boy has always loved you, you hear me? He ain’t had much love in this world, so it surprised me at his young age he understood exactly how to love you. You know how he was when he was young. A damn hot head.”
Iskyiah snorted. “Hate to break it to you, Unc, but that hasn’t changed.”
“And I know that. My point is you level him out. Always have. You just have this way about you, or this hold on him that nobody else seems to have. I’m glad he found you again. He found his heart again. When it’s my time to transition, I won’t have to be so worried about him. He’s in good hands.”
Iskyiah tried not to tear up at his words. She gave him a soft smile. “He is. I promise you that.”
And she meant it. Moolah may not have been on her bingo card for the year, but it was clear he was on the one markedforever. He came at a time where she felt the weight of the world pressing in on her. She’d been so tired, mentally, and yearning for a break. It was like Moolah’s heart heard her heart’s desires, and God did the rest. She was forever thankful because there was no doubt in her mind that she had finally settled into her forever.
“You want to marry that girl, don’t you?” Uncle Marlon asked as soon as they stepped foot out onto the back porch.
Iskyiah and Brooke were already in bed after a long day of traveling, feeding animals, and stuffing their faces at dinner; they were exhausted. Moolah, however, needed to get some things off his mental, and his uncle was the person he needed.
“Damn, Unc. We can’t even light the cigar first?” Moolah joked.
Marlon sank down onto one of the seats and waved him off. “It’s past my bedtime.”
Moolah chuckled as he sat down next to his uncle. He waited patiently while Marlon fumbled with the cigar and lighter. He sipped from his glass of bourbon and gazed out at the stars above.
Finally, Marlon handed him the lit blunt. Moolah took a pull. After he blew the smoke out, he said, “Yeah, Unc, I do.”
Marlon nodded. “But you ain’t sure you’re husband material?”
Moolah shook his head. His uncle tended to make conversations really easy like this. He always seemed to know what was on Moolah’s heart.
“Well, what you think? Am I?” Moolah asked because he didn’t want to reveal that Marlon was right. Moolah was too confident to admit that he didn’t know if he would make a good husband for Iskyiah. She was such a good girl, and Brooke was perfect. He didn’t want to fuck up.
Marlon accepted the cigar and pulled on it before he responded. “If it was any other woman, I’d be payin’ the poor thing to run. You hear me? Run for the mothafuckin’ hills and then keep on fuckin’ runnin’, but this is Sky we talkin’ ’bout. She ain’t just any woman.”
“That she ain’t,” Moolah agreed.
“I’ll say this, Mo. She’s prefect foryou. You need her. Marry that girl.”
“But how do I know if I’ll be a good husband to her? She deserves the world, and you know I have no problem giving it, but I ain’t really wrapped too tight, and I’m stubborn.”
“That’s just to name two of your flaws,” Marlon pointed out, and Moolah chuckled.
“Aight, man. Not too much.”
“I’ma tell you like I told Sky earlier. You’ve loved her since you were a little ass boy who didn’t know nothin’ ’bout nothin’. I’ve seen that love grow, even when she was gone. You’re different with her. You ain’t a soft nigga, but you know how to be soft with her. You know how to listen to her. You relax when you’re with her. Marry that girl, son. It’ll be the best thing you ever do.”
Moolah took in his uncle’s words, and relief filled him because all he’d wanted was confirmation that he was on theright track. Bless Marlon, because he’d just given Moolah the green light to his happily ever after.
A FEW DAYS LATER
Like always, Moolah knew Iskyiah had a million questions, but she held them in. He was grateful for that because this surprise was worth waiting for.
When he pulled up to their old spot, he couldn’t help the genuine smile that graced his face. He’d come here many times over the years when he wanted to feel closer to Iskyiah. Today, he didn’t need to yearn for her. His baby had found her way home.
“I’m about to help you out. Hold on,” he said before he cut the car off and got out. For once, he drove himself while he was with her because he wanted the moment to be intimate, just for them.
