I turn from the bar to find Tynisha framed beautifully in laced in her reception gown next to Alton’s tiny ass. Short and all, my man looks good in his tan tuxedo and brown dress shoes. His cut is sharp and swag is on blast all day. I couldn’t be mad at him. Alton has finally manned up.
“I just wanna thank everybody for making this a happy ass day for me. Nish can speak for herself.” He gives Tynisha a salacious onceover and who can blame him? She is finally his. “…but as far as I’m concerned, I don’t deserve to be here, standing next to the beautiful bride and calling her my damn wife, man.” Alton seems to choke back a cry. “I don’t know how I got here. It had to be a damn miracle, man.”
The room fills his emotional silent gaps with applause and awwws. Ironically, I can feel his sentiment. I know his expressions are real. As much of an ass as Al can be, he really loves Tynisha and wants his family together.
Family. The concept of that is what has put me in a sour mood. That and the sexy ass woman whose assigned chair is next to me at the table. Although she isn’t in the wedding, Zoey is seated next to me, torturing me in the sexy ass mini dress she’s wearing that has some fancy ass squares colored in hues of blue. Her hair is straight in long curls, and her eyes are dramatically smoky. I can’t function sitting that close to her without telling her how fuckin’ beautiful she is. It’s what I would have done had she been mine. Her scent makes me dizzy and her glow makes my chest tighten. I can’t handle another minute of being so close to her and not gazing into her delicate brown eyes or touching her smooth caramel skin like it belongs to me, so I get up and head over here to the bar. When I left, John Legend and his wife were chatting with Zoey. She seemed to hold court well enough alone, leaving no need for me to stay for small talk.
“But I have to say this,” Alton’s now squeaky voice speaks into the microphone, bringing my attention back over to him. “I know I haven’t been the perfect man to Ty. I’m man enough to admit that. But I was lucky enough to have a friend stuck close to me like a brother and didn’t judge me. He always showed me love.” Alton’s chin is to the floor as he speaks, appearing almost melancholy. “My man StentRo always kicks good shit in my ear, and one day he pulled me to the side and said, “Fight for your family. There’s nothing as lonely in this world as a man with no legacy to leave or one to follow. Get your shit together for your family.”
The room goes up in applause and I have to clear my damn throat. I did recall telling his ass that about a year ago. I can’t believe he listened.
“So, next to my lady,” Alton’s eyes are on me. “…this day is for you, my dude, for believing in me for all these years, man.”
I swallow hard. His words hit harder than they would on a normal day. I’d admitted to myself recently my actions in pushing Zoey so far away. Alton here is finally stepping up to the plate, as he should. And my fucking family is as disjointed as a motherfucker. I don’t deserve praise for preaching what I don’t practice. For years, I’ve been delaying my own love.
“So, here’s to my big dawg, StentRo! Cheers, bro!” Alton and Tynisha raise their glasses in my direction, then clink them together before taking a chug of the bubbly.
I raise my glass of Maracame Gran Platino that Tynisha made sure they had on deck specifically for me and gulp that shit down, emptying the glass.
I turn back to the bar. “Another.” I slam my tumbler on the bar top.
“Look who we have here!” I hear from just behind me.
I turn around to find Tynisha and a tipsy Alton, with his arm lazily draped around Zoey's neck.
“John is about to perform. Zoey requested “Ordinary People” in our honor ‘cause heaven knows that’s all the hell we are,” Tynisha shouts spiritedly.