Curves

Chapter 4

Jamel

*

"Mel what's up man?" My homeboy Isaiah said. We've been boys since we were kids getting into all types of trouble.

"Ready to chow down," I said rubbing my stomach laughing a bit. I look forward to this day every week. Every week his grandmother or mom hosts a dinner for the family. I may not be related by blood but I grew up with these people and consider them my people's so of course I'm going to help myself with a plate or two. "What's up Tay?" I acknowledged her in the living room with one of her kids.

"Hey Mel," she smiled. "How've you been? Seems like I only see you when granny cooks."

"Exactly," Mrs. Garrett, their mother, says coming into the threshold of the kitchen with her hands on her hips. "It's like you like her cooking better than mines."

"Of course not mom," I chuckled going up to hug her. "Granny just be cooking when I'm free." That and she does cook better than Mrs. Garrett. 

"It's not good to lie," granny said. "And my name isn't granny boy."

"Sorry Ms. Celia." She's never been too fond of me calling her granny. Said it makes her feel old. But I think she just doesn't like me very much. "Is the food ready? Y'all got it smelling good up in here."

"It'll be a while. Just make yourselves at home until I say it's time to eat."

"Alright. Hey Izzy, let's go outside."

"Coming," he said following me onto the back porch to chill out. "So how's the club doing?"

I chuckled. "I've told you countless times it's not a club. It's a lounge. Very different from a club."

"Okay lounge," he laughed. "How's business?"

"Very good. Profits just keep rising every night. I'm very hands-on so you know I'm there almost every night. How's the firm?"

"Steady. Probably not gonna be as successful as your place."

"Don't think like that. We made a promise to each other growing up that we'll both reach the top. No matter what."

"Trust me. I'm not giving up. My goal is to be the best in the state. While I be getting the rich folk off, you'll be sitting on your own little empire of getting folks drunk."

"That's the only way to live," I laughed. Growing up we made a promise to each other. That no matter the circumstances life threw at us we would be successful. That way our kids wouldn't have to deal with hardships. We weren't dealt with favorable hands in life but we made it the best way we could. We started talking some more about what all was going on in our lives.

"Saiah," Taylor poke her head out the door looking annoyed. "You will not believe who's here."

"Who?" He asked.

"Monique," she said her name with such disgust.

"What is she doing here?" Isaiah said looking very upset. Monique is their younger sister who the both of them don't particularly care for. From what I understand she's the product of an affair on their father's behalf. And because of this she couldn't live with them. Their granny is the one who raised her while Isaiah and Taylor only ever saw her on weekends or long breaks. I used to see her around the neighborhood sometimes.

"Granny invited her," she grumbled. "She is not sitting next to me." She stomped back inside the house.

"Great. There goes the whole spread," Isaiah joked darkly.

"Dude that's cold," I said. "Why do you always pick on her?"

He scoffed. "I'm just speaking the truth. There's definitely not gonna be any room or enough food with her here."