Family Lies 2

Memory Lane

Treasure

"Hey, hey!" I entered the house and locked the door only to be shushed by Aunt Donna. "You still up, Auntie? I thought you'd be knocked out by now. Hey Baby," I kissed Nicci's cheek as I stood behind her. When I got in they were sitting at the table having a quiet conversation. But when I joined them in the dining room all the talking died down. Bet not had been discussing me.

"My baby was hungry," she said while sitting back and rubbing that big stomach. I smiled. "You're really glowing Auntie. I love this for you."

"Mhm," Aunt Donna said flatly with a roll of her eyes as she stood up slowly to take her dishes to the kitchen. I stood behind Nic massaging her shoulders and kissing on her neck. "We good?" I asked as I realized how quiet she'd been since my return.

"Are we?" She looked back at me and I just stood up straight and left the room to go check on Jam. "Why would you let her fall asleep in front of the TV knowing we gone have to carry her to the car? Jam," I started to wake her up as Aunt Donna came rushing in the living room. "Unt uh, don't wake her up, Tré. Carry her to my room. I missed my baby," Aunt Donna said as she stood next to the bottom stair.

"Huh?" I asked, purely confused.

"I said I missed my baby. I want her to stay. Come on, take her upstairs," Aunt Donna insisted and I huffed before picking Jam up carefully so as not to wake her.

I faced my Aunt, wearing my most serious face, saying, "You miss Jam enough to let her spend the night but not me?"

Aunt Donna laughed her double down laugh. "That's right. Get her up there come on, I'm tired," Aunt Donna shooed me up the stairs and I carried Jam to her room.

"She don't do the bottom of the bed no more. Whenever she sleep with me and Nic she make me hold her all night," I tried to inform Aunt Donna and she just laughed as she closed her bedroom door. "Just say she ain't scared of you, Tré. You can lay her right in her spot. She'll stay there," Aunt Donna said as she gave me a pillow to put under her head and a blanket to put over her. I wrapped Jam up snug like a lil baby just like she liked before kissing her forehead and standing up. "Ight, Auntie. Love you, good night," I said, headed towards the door as my aunt got settled in at the head of her bed.

"Unt uh, come here baby. We need to talk," she said while putting out her hand.

I took a deep breath as I joined her and took her hand.

"How are you, Tré?" She asked me while tilting her head to the side.

"I'm good Auntie. You know I'm just... so proud of Nic and all that she's doing right now. Watching her dreams come true and being a part of that... really warms my heart."

"Why don't you quit talkin' about Nic and tell me what's going on witchu?"

"I just did, Auntie."

"Naw, you told me what you thought I wanted to hear."

"Everybody thinks they know me so muthafuckin' well," I thought I mumbled quietly until Aunt Donna sat up to pop the back of my head. "I ain't for the games luh girl you betta watch yo mouth with me. I done heard all about you pushing Nic away. What's wrong witchu?"

My throat burned as I fought to keep a straight face and my tears as bay.

"What is it?" She croaked and I looked over to see Aunt Donna trying not to cry.

"I'ma ruin this, Auntie... I know I am. I always do," I cracked and Aunt Donna pulled my head down into her chest and kissed it as she held me so tightly.

"If you keep on like you been doing, you right. You'll ruin it. But Nicci has always been there for you, you don't have to keep her at arm's length."

I sat up and wiped my tears as I stared down at my feet.