Brother's Keeper✔️

61. Magic House

Taj POV

It was nice to have his brothers there with him for his big day.

His three line brothers and more of his prophytes. It was a tradition for the fraternity brothers to come back every graduation weekend. He looked forward to many years of returning to support his brothers.

His mother, sister, and brother would be there. His little sister, Allegra, was graduating high school the next week and had no interest in attending college, but he wanted her to think higher. His younger brother, Vincent, was only twelve. He was five years older than Allegra and ten years older than Vincent. All of them had different fathers, but he never looked at his siblings as half anything.

"I'm so proud of you son." His mother pulled him into a hug after the ceremony while he was still in his cap and gown. "I knew you would do something great in life."

"Making you proud Mom." He kissed her cheek. "And I'm not done. Graduate school, helping others. You taught me well."

His mother was young, only thirty-eight. Smart as can be but never finished high school, and dropped out her junior year when she was pregnant with him. Worked odd-end jobs all his life. Never married any of her children's fathers, but she always stayed positive and tried her best. He never knocked her for what she tried. Some parents with more did less.

His mother helped him with his schoolwork and knew every problem, even beyond the classes she never finished. Always there to take him to all the sports and activities he was in growing up. Believed in him when he said he wanted to go to college, despite not knowing how they would pay for it. She did what she could and helped him find the people that could help.

That's how he chose Illinois State University. His mother worked for Lisa Kennard, Jossie's line sister and fellow MAX Founder. Lisa got in touch with Jossie, and Jossie pulled every scholarship she could find, the rest was history. Now he was in a place he could make someone's life different.

He looked to Allegra, wearing her short afro in a dyed red puff. They looked nothing alike, she was darker than him and with none of his height, she was barely five feet tall. Even Vincent at twelve was taller than her.

"Sooo...little sis. This could be you in four years...or five, no one is judging."

Allegra scoffed at him. "School is more work. I could make more money now just working and stacking my money."

"But it's fun too, trust me I know. It's not like you make bad grades or anything." His sister was another Daysha. From the hood, not in the best schools, but made straight As as if it was nothing. School was not even a challenge to her, that's why she was bored and not interested in college.

"I just need to get a job, help mom out, get us a new place, and-"

"You guys...move here. To Bloomington-Normal, or somewhere near here. Allegra you can attend school here, money won't be a problem. With your grades, there are still scholarships left out there for you."

"Boy, now you know we can't afford to up and leave-" his mother started to say but he stopped her.

"Stay in the house I'm renting. My fraternity brothers and I are getting a bigger house soon. When that comes through, you guys can move in. Mom, it's a nice-sized two-bedroom house, and Allegra can stay on campus. Rent's not that bad and I will pitch in of course."

"And me too!" his sister said and smiled. "I like this mom. There is nothing for us in Chicago and this way we can all be together and I can do school. And work. Taj, I will work and help out."

He loved that about his little sister. She was just like him.

"I can't have my babies taking care of me." His mother was always too proud to ask for much help. Worked two or three jobs, and never was on government assistance. Never asked for handouts when they barely had food to eat.