My mom's eyes brim with tears. She hugs me tightly but my body doesn't reciprocate the love. I don't know how to feel. My mom and I have a very complicated relationship. I know I wasn't the easiest child to raise but I always felt like she abandoned me. She never had time for me. Always clubbing, always with her friends, always outside. I can understand having a child at 21 is a lot of responsibilities but I didn't ask for that shit.
"You got so big." She touches my cheek. "You look like a man now."
"Thanks mom. Nice to see you again. I guess you forgot how to drive."
I spent six years in prison and she has never visited me. Not a single time. She would call from time to time and send some money when she felt like it but that was it. This is our first genuine interaction in years.
"I'm so sorry for not visiting you baby I just didn't know how to deal with the situation. I felt guilty and-"
"You know what ?" I interrupt her. "We ain't gonna have this conversation now. I'll talk to you later."
"Wait ! I cleaned your room, you can put your stuff there. I'm so happy to-"
"Thanks but I'm good."
I head to the living room to enjoy the party. My cousins are grown now. I feel like I left forever.
After catching up with everybody, I meet Chris in front of the house. He daps me up with a smile.
"You like that lil party ?"
"Yep. Was nice seeing my fam you know. Wassup ?"
"Denzel is waiting for you at his own crib."
"Aight."
We walk for a few minutes. We reach a big white house with lights on. I spot a black Mercedes parked next to another black SUV. I shake my head. Couple cars and a house and that boy thinks he's bigger than everybody.
Chris knocks on the door. We hear footsteps then someone opens.
"Wassup Randy ? Long time no see !" Denzel smiles. "Please come in, brother. Mi casa es tu casa."
I walk in and scan the surroundings. Denzel might not be stupid enough to try to kill me just like that but you can never be too cautious.
"Thanks Chris I'll call you later." Denzel closes the door. "Follow me."
He leads into the huge kitchen, the kind of place you see in magazines, all marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. But something else catching my eye.
I spot a large portrait of Alicia hanging on the wall. She's sitting elegantly, she got a lil smile and she's wearing a long black dress. I won't lie, it's a beautiful portrait.
Denzel watches me, a smirk playing on his lips like he's waiting for a reaction. I keep my face neutral, but inside, I'm boiling. Every detail of this place is a reminder of what he took from me.
"I love this picture." Denzel smiles and hands me a glass of what seems like whiskey. "She looks so sexy."
I take the glass and put it on the counter. Denzel leans back against the wall, his eyes on me.
"It's funny how things turn out ain't it ? One minute, you got everything... And the next-"
"You got me fucked up real bad." I cut him off. "Why should I not kill you right now ?"
He clears his troat, seemingly amused, but there's a flicker of something else in his eyes. He tries to play it cool but I can see through it.
"How about we find a place to sit ?" Denzel suggests.
