To a new beginning!

Part 9

  Numi bounced the miniature basketball in his hands and swiped the sweat that trickled down his brow away. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and he had been having a good solo basketball game in his backyard before his sister and three year old nephew arrived with a handful of grocery bags.

  He'd stopped telling her to quit shopping for him months ago because it was like talking to a damn wall.

     Now he was introducing Jayden to the world of basketball in a way that suits his age.

   He glanced up and could see his sister fussing in the kitchen through the glass windows.

Somethings never change

  He crouched down and handed jayden the miniature ball which was just the perfect size for his small hands.

  "C'mon champ, we re going to shoot some balls."

  With gentle hands, he showed Jayden how to bounce the ball, the boy giggled in delight as the ball bounces back up to him. Numi grinned and then demonstrated the art of shooting by playfully tossing the ball into the kiddie hoop he'd set up. Jayden watched him with rapt attention and tried to mimic his movements.

After multiple adorable but failed attempts, Numi decided to give the boy a break. He lifted Jayden so he could get a ball in, he was rewarded with a happy squeal of laughter.

"Okay Michael Jordan, thats enough ball for today" He dumped the balls and hoops in the garage and stretched out his hand to Jayden. "Let's head inside kid, i could use a beer"

   "Do i get one too Uncle Numi?" Jayden asked and took his outstretched hand.

Numi laughed. "Not a chance champ, but we could see about getting you some juice"

    "Can i have some cookie with my juice mommy?" Jayden asked his mother when Numi placed him on a stool at the dining table and poured him some juice.

     "You can, but just one" She didnt want him full before lunch, especially on sugar.

Jayden clapped his hands in excitement and took a cookie from the plate on the table.

   Numi walked over to the refrigerator to hunt for a beer. "Want a beer?" He asked his sister.
 
"Sure." She stirred the chicken that was frying and then started to slice the vegetables . "I half expected to see Femi on the basketball court with you as usual" She said in a casual tone.

Numi placed the beer on the table and leaned against the counter. "He is away for a medical conference."

  "Oh"

   She tried to hide her disappointment.

  "You sound almost disappointed" Numi said, studying her and then narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Is that why you have been coming here more regularly now?"

  "You know, you should be grateful i even come here at all, we both know you can't cook to save your life and Naomi won't be caught dead in the kitchen either."

   "Nancy." He corrected, even though he knew she did that on purpose. "Besides, there is more to a woman than her culinary skills" he sipped his beer. "Or lack thereof"

   Fade sent her brother a sour look. "Usually, i agree. Just not right now when we are speaking of Naomi"

    "I dont know what you have against my girlfriend," Fade sent him another look at the word 'girlfriend' but he ignored it and continued "But back off, and don't try to change the subject."

He walked to the living room and switched on the Tv to keep Jayden occupied. When he walked back to the kitchen, he went straight for the sweet smelling fried chicken, but Fade was one step ahead of him and swatted his hand away.