Hard Times Purify

T H R E E

Karti ,

My father recently started holding these parties. He's not trying to tell me just yet, but I know he's getting to that point where he's ready to pass EVERYTHING down to me. I looked as him and Maria swayed on the make-shift dance floor in the middle of the open room. They truly looked happy or maybe Im saying that since I now have a marriage of my own. Shaun and my mom danced with one another next to them as well.

Looking to my right, I noticed Zih posted by the wall with Trina, Gee's wife and a few of her friends. I smiled staring at her. My wife has to be by far the most beautiful women I've ever seen besides my mom. She locked eyes with me and caught me smiling. We shared a low chuckle. In the middle of making my way over towards her I was stopped by someone grabbing my shoulders.

"Wassup?" I asked, looking at Dale.

"Stop being thirsty nigga. Let her breath." He joked.

"Shut the hell up. Mind yo lonely ass business." I smiled .

"Whipped ass." He yelled , walking away , following the waitress with the fat ass that he's been following all night it seems.

"Hey baby. Miss me?" Zih whispered in my ear , placing her small hand on my neck .

"Don't I always?" I kissed her lips softly.

"You better stop it." She told me , pulling her bottom lip in.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked, pulling her towards the dance floor. We've been here for almost two hours and this is out first dance of the need.

"Yeah. Its nice." She answered, following my lead.

We found a cozy spot in the middle of the dance floor. The DJ switched the song from Marvin Gay to Destiny's Child "Solider"

I felt Zih's smile against my chest.

"Wow" she mumbled. I gave a short chuckle . Back in the day this use to be her shit . I think she still knows the whole album .

"We like 'dem boys up top from the BK ,
Know how to flip that money three ways ,
Always riding big on the freeway ,
Wit that east coast slang that us country girls we like , . . .
Low cut casers wit the deep waves ,
So quick to snatch up your fiancé . . ."

She lifted up her left hand , flashing her rock .

"Always coming down popping our way ,
Telling us that country girls the kind of girls they like ."

"You silly." I told her. She continued to sing the song and grind against me until it went off .

"You love me." She smiled , kissing my cheek and walking away .

I watched the sway of her hips , before turning around and going to find my pops .

"Wassup old man ?" I greeted my dad , sitting in the empty chair next to him .

"Old man ? Young one I still got it ." He smiled , flexing his arms and running a hand across his jewelry .

"Yeah I see . Im trying to be like you when I grow up ."

"In due time son . In due time ." He smiled .

___________________________________

Zih'aira ,

"I seen you two dancing . You better stop it . Lord knows Im too young for another grandbaby ." Karen stressed , wiping fake sweat from her forehead .