"My MaRiLyn..."

14.

"If you don't want to do this with me,son, I respect that. But when you die nobody's gonna run to you because you are anonymous," Baba says.

He sounds upset and disappointed. I feel bad. He gets the box from me and begins to walk away. I can't believe this.
Anyway,

"Baba! Wait up, I'll go with you."

He turns to look at me with a straight look on his face still on but he suddenly puts on a big smile. I smile back at him. Genuinely this time.

"I knew you'd come through. Let's go sonny boy!" He excitedly shouts out to me. I chuckle.

Glad he's happy. I lock the door and hurriedly walk up to Baba to catch up with him. I grab the box from him and he pats my back. He's pleased with me.

A son and a father. I guess this is how it feels like to be in a relationship with your dad. Nice. Except I never knew my father.

We are at a neighbours doorstep knocking. Baba seems irritated with how long these people are taking. Well,so am I.

"What the hell is taking Richard so long? He always seems to be doing intense and strenuous things at the wrong time," Baba cusses this Richard guy out. I laugh.

Suddenly, the door opens and this masculine man walks out.

He is handsome, I won't lie to you. He is good looking. I wonder how his wife feels. Is she over protective of him or something because I believe every woman in this neighbourhood, possibly is having sex with him. He can't be this good looking and be loyal.

We are in the 21st Century.

This Richard guy then smiles upon seeing Baba.

"Hello,Baba. What brings you here today?"

"Are your kids around?"

"No. But Marilyn is around. You people look tired and hungry. She can prepare something for you," Richard says.

He sounds to be a nice man.

"Well,it's food and I like you,son. So I'll say yes," Baba tells Richard.

"Great then."

Suddenly,his eyes shift from Baba to me.
He looks curious to know who I am but I won't say a shit until he asks me.

"You must be the new neighbor, Gregory?"

He extends his hand to greet me but I can't because I've got a freaking box in my hands. Is he blind?

"Hello there. It's nice to meet you. And it's Timothy," I say to him and he nods affirming.

He deeply sighs and smiles at both of us.

"Come on in,gentlemen."

Baba and I walk into his home and Richard gets the box from me and closes the door. He's laid the load off of me. My hands and arms hurt. But I'm glad this is the last house to give the gifts to.

"Honey! Come downstairs,it's Baba and the new neighbor!" He shouts out to his wife.

"I'm coming!" The woman shouts back. Her voice sounds so familiar.

Baba and I take our seats and Richard puts the box on the table before us and looks at us to speak,

"Let me take a shower,I will be right with you. My lovely wife will take good care of you,gentlemen. Excuse me,"

He's got some sort of class and manners I'm admiring. He's a people person.

"Sure," Baba responds to him. I don't have to say anything.

I'm having a conversation with Baba about the wonderful and benevolent events that take place in the neighbourhood that could help me feel way more at home and I seem to love them all. Mostly,the one that women host to appreciate every man in the neighbourhood and their children so they cook, bake, and present poems and tell stories. The great part is Marilyn is the event coordinator.

What is it that she can't do?