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“And you’re telling me this is all legal? Don’t insult me, Jas!” Lamont’s tone once again made me feel uncomfortable.
A part of me felt like a twelve-year-old interloper having dinner over my classmate’s house and catching their father discipline with an iron sword of a tongue. It was slightly intimidating and I’d also decided I didn’t like it for Charmagne.And Jas… He commanded the respect of his hoodlum—and some savage—tribe in Harlem. The most radio and concert-popular rapper in the world recently made a record paying homage to Jas, validating his street cred as a murderer who’d stood trial without ratting out his associates. I’d seen him, just weeks ago, taking a man to seconds within his death. But here, his father spoke to him as though he was the same age as Nicholas. I didn’t like it.
“I ain’t bring you here to insult you. Neither did I invite you to be insulting. I’m speaking to you as a man, sharing what I’ve been up to since my release. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Lamont brushed his palms down his face, taking a calming breath. “Why are you telling me these things now? Why after all this time you’ve been home, Jas?”
Jas’ attention traveled over to the scarlet-cheeked, collapsed jaw kid to the right of their father and directly across the table from me. “Because I’d like to be a big brother to Nicholas.”
“You are his big brother. That won’t change,” Lamont noted out loud.
“I’m more of a legend to the kid. A cautionary tale for him to measure himself against. I’m more than that. I’m a victor. I’ve been redeemed.”
Damn…
Lamont sat muted for a few seconds, then scoffed, “Well, I appreciate that, son. I really do. But it’s hard to believe in your change of character when this all feels reminiscent of the years of your youth.”
“How?” Jas asked with a wrinkled forehead.
“You have these extravagant means I’ve been unaware of, unlike your mother. I can’t help but to question if they’ve been earned by the same illegal methods that stole over ten years of your life? Can I entrust you to my impressionable teenager? What proof do I have that you’ve changed, son?”
Jas’ eyes were on his hand as he tapped his fingers against the table. It was clear to me he was struggling with that question. For a long while, my love didn’t utter a word.
Ines entered the room, carrying dessert on a platter. I caught eyes with her right away and shook my head. Catching on, Ines backed right out.
Finally, Jas murmured, “This ain’t about you, yo.” His eyes roved up to his father.
“Pardon me?” Lamont demanded once again.
Jas’ head shook softly, continuing his point. “This…” He motioned the room. “None of this is or was about you. My lady’s efforts in hosting us tonight was never about you. I mean…yeah. I wanted you to feel comfortable…for you to see I’m not a savage or a bum struggling to find my footing in society. But I could’ve taken my mom out to eat wherever she wanted. I could’ve had Ashira feed my moms upstairs in her actual apartment.” He scoffed, “I could have had my lady and my moms at my own crib. I just ain’t wanna overwhelm you.”
Lamont nodded, twisting his mouth as though chewing on the blazing innuendo Jas had just shot his way. “Okay. I see where this is going. Again, very reminiscent of the stellar job Charmagne did in your youth.” He stood from the table. “I won’t give her an opportunity with this one. Let’s go, Nicky.”
Dazed, Nicholas took to his feet, shoulders caved in, the scent of defeat hovering over his head.
“I tried, Nick,” Jas shared as his brother trailed behind his father.
Nicholas turned to Jas and nodded. “Thanks,” his voice weak. “Thanks for dinner, Shi-Shi. Nice meeting you, Ms. Charmagne.”
“Bye, baby!” Charmagne replied.
I could only offer a shaky smile from fighting back the tears. Why in the hell was I affected by this? I didn’t even know these people. But I knew Jas and, in a way, I was akin to Nicholas, pining after a blood relative. Only in Nicholas’ case, the relative wanted to be there.
“Bye to you, too, Lamont!” Charmagne called out. “Sorry ya ego got the best of you again with this one.” She referred to her son.
Lamont turned around, face tight. “Don’t go there! At all. Don’t go there, Charmagne. I’ve been really nice to you all evening. I’m sorry, Shi-Shi. This was really nice. Thanks for being so generous, although you shouldn’t have gone through the trouble. I hope all works out for you.” He shook his head, turned to continue his way out. “I really do.”
“Yo, hang on a second.” Jas left his chair, head cocked to the side like his mother’s earlier. “This shit is getting tired, man. You thinking you got the cornerstone of morality…parenting and even better judgment when it comes to my moms. The shit is getting tired.”
“I never said those things and I don’t deserve that tone from you.” Lamont’s chest expanded, going into defense mode against Jas’ apparent offensive aura.
“You always say it—always said it. It’s even when you ask about her.”
“What’s the problem with me asking about your mother, Jas?”
“The fact that you really don’t care. You don’t. What you’re looking for is another reason…more justification for your judgment of her.”
“It’s in her documented history—yours, too. Charmagne hasn’t always made the best decisions inlife—”
