GRAVITY
MILANI KAIMERE LOVE
June 3, 2023
Atlanta, Ga
MILANI sat around the table with her and a few of her family members as they all conversed about some old memories. It was her Great Grandmothers 82nd birthday and in memory of her day, every year since her passing in 2020 they would all gather up and go to her favorite restaurant. They would then go to her burial sight and do a balloon release.
This time around the year was always a pretty tough time for their family, especially for Lani's mother since she had been the closest to her grandmother out of all her siblings. Her great grandmother was no saint and she had her dirt and that dirt caused shifts in many relationships but she was the backbone of the family and had been for so long.
"Broo y'all remember when we used to play elimination in that room?" Zariya spoke up reminiscing of the old memories from their grandmas home that every generation had grown up in.
"Yesss bro, we was literally back there just doing stuff," David, one of her younger cousins shook his head as they all agreed.
"Speaking of the old house," Milani's auntie, Shanice spoke up clearing her throat to gain the attention of the others. She was the second oldest of the grandkids.
The table slowly grew silent and turned their attention over to her.
"We've all been doing some talking, and we have come to terms with the fact that we are selling the house," She told the group of young adults who just looked at her before the table erupted into loud chatters.
"Quiet down yall quiet down, there's just no point in us keeping the home. We've been helping Zay pay rent on the house for 3 years and now that he's going off to live in Chicago with his dad there's no point in keeping the home," Anna spoke up wiping her face with the napkin.
Zay was her auntie Anna's oldest son, Anna was an alcoholic when Zay was born so she was forced to send him to their grandmothers house. When she finally got clean she had 2 more kids but by that time Zay was already 8 years old and had grown accustomed to living with his grandmother. Anna was now 12 years sober and was happily married to her youngest son's father.
"Why can't y'all just buy the house? Keep it in the family," Mariea, Lani's older cousin questioned.
"And who's gonna live in it if we do? It's a waste of money for no reason," Shanice told her son.
"I mean I been tryna get out the house for a minute," Kavani spoke up repositioning himself in his seat.
"Boy," Gina looked at her son twisting up her lips.
"For real ma, you know I'm tired of staying at home and I definitely don't wanna go on Campus. Why not," he shrugged his shoulders.
"And if we do that, are you gonna be able to keep up with the rent?" Anna asked her nephew with a raised brow.
"We'll see," he shrugged his shoulders.
"Matter fact, I could move in too, we can split the rent amongst us two and we'll be straight." Mariea added.
"Real talk," Vani pointed at Mariea as the cousins dapped one another up.
