"Latch"

New Orleans

Me, August, and his bodyguard, Big T arrived in New Orleans late Friday evening.

The original plan was to go straight to the hotel, get settled, and then grab some food, but August wanted to pay his mom a visit first.

"I missed you so much!", Ms. Blair said, hugging August.

"I missed you too mama.", he said back.

She greeted Big T with a hug as well. "Hey T!"

"How you doin mama?", T said. "Smells like you throwin' down in here!"

"I sure am! ...I had to make sure my baby had some turkey necks to come home to.", she said, patting August's stomach.

His mother's eyes scanned me up and down for a short moment before she spoke. "You must be Melanie.", she said.

I gave her a polite smile, "Yes. Nice to finally meet you Ms. Blair.", I said with my hand extended to her.

She shook my hand and returned a smile back, "Same here."

I knew that Ms. Blair was still a bit iffy about me, even after August hired me to be his assistant, but she wasn't as confrontational as before.

Three little girls, who I assumed to be his nieces that he always spoke about, came running into the living room shouting in unison, "Uncle August!"

"Ay babies!", he said as they all huddled around him.

He kneeled down to give each of them a hug and kiss.

"I hope y'all behavin ya'selves.", he said.

"Yessss!", they all said simultaneously.

"They know better.", Ms. Blair intervened.

August stood back up and pulled me toward his nieces. "Girls, this is my assistant, Melanie. Melanie this Chaylin, Amaiya, and Kayden", he said pointing to each one.

"But I thought you already have a sister... Auntie Netia.", Amaiya said.

I giggled at her comment and introduced myself because I don't know why August would say assistant and expect them to know what he meant.

"I'm your uncle's friend. I help him with things so that he doesn't have to do it all by himself.", I said smiling.

"Ohhhhh.", Amaiya said. "Why didn't you just say that then Uncle August!"

"My bad.", he chuckled.

The girls went back to playing while Ms. Blair went to finish cooking and August and I sat in the living room.

"Okay, so I have a driver set up for the weekend until 4pm Sunday and as far as the hotel, I'm still tryna find out if they have three rooms available on the same floor.", I said while scrolling through my phone.

"Let's just stay here.", he said.

"We can do that.", T agreed.

I looked up from my phone,"What do you mean stay here?", I asked.

"Stay here as in not having to check into a hotel.", he replied.

I shook my head and went back to using my phone. "I am not stayin in your mama's house.", I said in a low tone.

"What's da big deal?... T can stay in the guest room and you can stay in my room... I'll sleep in Trav's room.", he explained. "Unless you scared to sleep alone.", he said while winking at me.