Y'Lan Noel
I stood by the side of the U-Haul truck as Carl struggled to remove my living room television from it on his own.
Watching with the intensity of a hawk just incase I needed to swoop in and save my precious cargo from this scrawny excuse for a man.
"There we go." He said aloud to no one. Edging the neatly wrapped televison toward the edge of the vehicle. I peeped around the corner upon hearing a loud thud which happened to only be him jumping down from the truck. "Thank god." I mouthed before drawing a cross over my heart and pressing my hands together in prayer as Carl rolled his eyes and took this opportunity to squat down as low as he could by the knees. Reaching his greasy hands for my television yet again.
The breath I had just took got caught in my throat as he wrapped his lanky fingers around it and swiftly pulled it from the truck straightening his legs in the process. "Ha!" He yelled cockily before swiftly turning to face me nearly tripping over his own two feet.
"Carl!" I yelled as my heart fell into the pit of my stomach.
"Just fucking with you." He joked once again straightening up and hastily heading toward the entrance of building I would be calling my home for the next couple of months.
"Slow down man." I squealed running behind him as he entered the door and headed for the steps.
"I got this man. You gotta chill Lan." He reassured me taking the steps with ease. Causing my heart to slither slowly back into my chest as I gently instructed him from behind. "Voila!" He said softly placing the television on the floor just to the left of the apartment door.
"Thank you god." I said aloud causing Carl to laugh.
I small smiled because I was just happy that we were almost done moving my things in. Carl had taken it upon himself to become offended by my strength and speed as we moved my things into my new apartment. Requesting that I allow him to move a few items on his own. I naturally objected but in an effort to avoid a disagreement that I didn't have the energy to entertain, I eventually agreed to his antics.
Truth be told I wasn't in the least bit trying to show out. This was the last leg of my journey and I just wanted it to be over at this point. Before I found it in myself to change my mind. Stone Mountain Georgia ... I'm back!
"What you thinking about man?" Carl asked placing his hands on his narrow hips causing his protruding beer belly to stick out even more.
"Nothing man." I said waving him off before stepping over to my couch and taking a seat on the arm of it. Carl raised a brow as if he didn't believe me. So I knew I needed to tell him something, anything to get him off of my back. "Nah man I just really appreciate all of your help." I admitted with a slow head nod.
"That's what family is for." He said taking a step over to me and patting me on the shoulder before taking a seat on the sofa himself. "Truth be told I'm just happy to have you back." Carl admitted causing me to glance over my shoulder before turning and sliding down onto the sofa.
"Awe I missed you too Carlito." I said placing a firm grasp on my cousins knee. Before allowing a wide cheeky smile to spread across my face.
"Man get the fuck out of here!" He draws playfully pushing me away.
"I'm forreal." I say in all seriousness after we shared a wholesome laugh. "It's good to be back brotha." I admit tugging at the knees of my jeans.
"The gruesome twosome is about to be back at it." He whispers slapping his hands together and rubbing them like Birdman himself. Before raising a brow in my direction and smiling mischievously.
