Cruel Summer

Chapter 19

Thursday, November 22, 2018

~Derrick~

It's been months since my family and I have gotten together as a whole. I haven't been in contact with the kids lately, but I wanted to spend Thanksgiving with everyone.

"Where is everyone? I'm hungry." Mary said as she fixed her ponytail.

"The kids had to get someone, Sis. Calm down." Aimee said as she put her napkin in her lap.

"Why would they go to the stor—" My mom started to say, but was cut off by Marcus and Ryan walking in.

"Sorry we're late. We had to go get—"

"Marcus, can y'all sit down? I've been saving my hunger all day. I'm ready to eat some Thanksgiving food. Please." Mary said as she drunk her water.

"Mama, can you chill? Don't start." Kel said as he looked at her.

"Like I was saying, we had to go get someone. People who came a long way. Y'all, come on in." Marcus said as he stepped aside.

Three women I never thought I would see again walked into my dining room.

Standing by the doorway was my Aunt Emma along with Jean and Kelly.

"Hey, are the kids ba—Oh my gosh!"

*BANG*

We all looked to see my mom stunned as the wine glasses were broken in front of her.

"If isn't my big sister. Still clumsy as usual." Aunt Emma said as she laughed as she flipped her hair.

"Oh, hell no! Who in the hell called them here?" Mary asked as she quickly stood up as I ran over to help Mama.

"Isn't it Mary had the little herpes?" Jean asked as she smirked.

"Go to hell, hoe!" Mary said as she tried to go towards Jean, but Kel stopped her.

"I'll sweep this glass up, Uncle Derrick. Don't worry." Jennifer said as she went into the hallway closet to get the broom and dustpan.

"Mary, don't disrespect family. They are welcomed. If my grandbabies invited them, so let's have at it." My mom said as she smiled and sat next to me.

"She got one more time. I'll show her a real ass whooping." Mary said as she flipped her ponytail and sat back down.

"Let's wait on Jennifer. Please sit." I said as I sat down and allowed Marcus and Ryan along with the others to sit.

We all sat down and waited on Jennifer. It didn't take her long to clean up Mama's mess.

"Let's go around and see what we are all thankful for." My mom said as she cleared her throat.

"I'm thankful for family. This past year was hard losing my baby boy. It's been three months without him. Three hard months, but I know that he's in this room. Looking down on us with his bright smile. I love each and everybody at this table. That's all." I said as I nodded and tried to hold my tears back.

"I'm thankful for my beautiful wife, our kids, and our future. I'm glad I moved back to town to see my family. I hope I get to reconnect with my brother who doesn't answer my calls, but we gone get there." Kel said as everybody started laughing.