When breakfast is ready, everyone sits for the big spread in the dining room. Sarah pulls no punches. She and her daughters cook every damn breakfast item I can think of. She’s trained them both well. When days were brighter for Zoey and me, she’d always make sure I had a full and hot meal without request. It was as if it was her innate charge. Today is no different as I sneak my glances of her while she moves swiftly, making sure everything is laid out.
The first plate Zoey makes is Jordan’s. What fucks me up is when she serves Bernard his food next. I almost lose my appetite when it lands in front of him. My plate has been in front of me for a while, courtesy of Sarah. She was able to do this because Ruth fixed her father’s. Then Sarah serves Alton his food. It’s all orchestrated and no one is slighted. But me. Seeing Zoey serve another man and totally skip over me burns the shit out of my pride.
I feel eyes on me and look over to my right, across the table. Alton’s eyes are imploring me to chill. I acknowledge him, but don’t acquiesce. I’m fucking pissed.
“Ah, Mr. Barrett! You sho’ got you an assembly line in here with these women cooking like it’s for Master White!”
That was Alton’s attempt to break the tension. It’s somewhat successful because the only two who do not bust out in laughter are me and Jordan, who doesn’t get the slave-themed joke.
Fuck my life.
~~~~~~~~~~
After breakfast, the guys are sitting outside of the back of the house, killing time. Michael’s best friend, Fred, joins us just as we finish up breakfast. As it seems, he and Alton hit it off well with their coarse personalities in common. It would be perfect if Bernard wasn’t present. His ass makes my skin crawl. Alton acts as his buffer. It’s almost as if he knows how close I am to losing it.
Sarah and Ruth are to the left of us, underneath the carport talking over Ruth’s iPad. Michael is speaking about the evolution of the black man in America and how there’s been regression in our development. Fred chimes in, often agreeing with his boy. It’s an insightful lecture, but I’m pleasantly distracted by the sight of Zoey, horse playing in the massive green yard with Jordan.
Seeing my life in one place, interacting gleefully does something to my core. It reminds me of my reason for living. My world. My elation isn’t only sentimental, it’s physical as well. I’m fighting my erection as I watch Zoey’s ass jiggle in her short shorts, and her breasts bounce in that stingy tee-shirt. It brings my mind back to the Zoey I met seven years ago whose curves weren’t as plentiful and hid beneath her loose clothing. The weight gain over the past few years has enhanced Zoey’s appeal. She’s even more beautiful…and especially arousing.
In the back of my consciousness, I hear Michael excuse himself. Spouting something about an aging bladder as he pads off. My eyes never leave my family.
“Damnnnnn!” Alton growls while holding his sack. “Seeing Zo’s ass out there reminds me about my piece, coming down here child-free. I can’t wait to drown myself in that ass.”
Alton is a bit more dramatic than he’s been down here, at the Barrett’s. I don’t flinch because Michael is out of earshot. And not for nothing, Zoey’s natural sexiness had me entranced long ago.
“I know, man, I can’t wait to be able to say that myself. As soon as she’s official, I’ll be drowning in that all day.”
As my head snaps over to Bernard, I notice in my peripheral, so does Al’s.
“What the fuck?”
“Say what, young man?”
Alton and Fred damn near shout at the same time. Almost immediately, Bernard’s expression turns sheepish. It’s clear to me he didn’t realize the jewels dropped when he did.
He isn’t fucking Zoey?
“Yo, bro!” Alton yelps, and instantly, I see the mischievousness in his eyes. “You mean to tell me you got one of the sexiest women in American pop culture…purely for who she’s affiliated with and you ain’t fuck yet?”
Fred’s expression matches Al’s. My curious glance doesn’t provide relief. Bernard’s eyes shut, easily giving away his embarrassment. His slip up. He’s not fuckin’ my Ni?a! My somber mood since he left my bedroom last night suddenly turns triumphant.