“It looks like they planned this fuckery,” Atlas says.
“They must have collectively lost their minds,” Joseph says and we all turn to look at him briefly, wondering when he walked in. Jaasiel has his back turned and is suspiciously busy stirring a pot that I don’t think has anything in it. Before we can figure out our next move, cause body positivity and all that, we jump as Josh roars. Yes, literally roars!
“Savannah Jenell Errington Gideon!” as he storms out, like a raging bull, to the backyard where she is. And to her credit she doesn’t look even the least bit fazed. Atlas, Joseph, and I look at each other and follow him out. A few seconds later the rest of my brothers are outside too. Well except for Jaasiel, he is still in the kitchen stirring the pot with the imaginary food. As soon as Anson walks out his eyes immediately find Megan who, unlike the other women has on a maxi dress. He walks over to the chaise that she is sitting on, scoops her up, and sits down with her in his lap.
“Jag why are you yelling like a maniac?” Savvy says in confusion as she sips her drink.
“Savannah, what the hell are you wearing?”
“A swimsuit Joshua,” she says as she rolls her eyes.
“I swear to Jesus Lavonte Christ, I will have the crew bring a cement truck over here and fill this fucking pool in if you don’t take your ass to our rooms and change out of that contraption.
“Why?”
“Why?” he says almost shrieking. Can a man shriek?
While they are going back and forth, I walk to the edge of the pool. Carla’s attention is on me, the entire time.
“Come here, dove,” I tell her with no humor in my voice and I know she knows I am dead serious. Once she swims to where I am I crouch down and tell her, “Go change.” She starts to open her mouth but the look I give her stops her in her tracks. She swims to the stairs and climbs out of the pool, wraps herself in a towel and heads inside. When I look around, I notice all the women have gone inside, except for Savvy and Megan.
“What would possess you to wear something like this Savvy?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. You have constantly and consistently told me how beautiful I am, how sexy I am, how to not be ashamed of my body, my FUPA, my scars. And when I believe all the stuff you’ve been telling me and put myself out there, you act like a damn caveman and embarrass me in front of all our family.”
“Savvy,” he says sounding hurt now.
“Don’t Savvy me, Joshua. I am going inside to change and do me a favor.”
“What’s that love?”
“Don’t talk to me.” She says as she turns on her heels and leaves him standing there looking like he knows he fucked up. Because he has. Once she is gone, he turns to look at us, before he goes to follow his wife.
“How long do you think she’ll stay mad at him?” Aryan asks the question we are all thinking?
“I have no idea; I have never seen them argue before.” Anson says.
“Why does it feel like we were watching our parents fight? I feel like a kid who shouldn’t have seen what I just saw,” Jabarri says sounding confused.
“He’ll get it straightened out. That man can’t breathe without her,” Joseph says.
“I hope you’re right,” I tell him.
A couple of hours later and my brother is still in the doghouse, but the rest of our family is here, and we are having a great time. Atlas is in the pool with his baby, Sarai, and Bubba, is of course, with his Bibi, because none of the rest of us matters when she’s around. Little Malachi is being passed around and he is enjoying every second of it. The music is on mellow, the food was fabulous, as usual, and everyone is lounging around relaxing and talking.
“Alright, mom, we’re heading out. Remember Bubba is going to stay with his mom next week while I head out of town on college business.” Saint reminds me.
“But dad!” Bubba says clearly distressed. “I entered the talent show! And you were supposed to help me!” he says looking truly hurt.
“I know S.J. but I have to go out of town for work. I can’t do anything about it.”
“What about Uncle Shepp? Will he be back by then great grandPeter?” he turns hopeful eyes to Peter.
“Probably not,” Peter replies and Bubba looks like he is on the verge of tears.
“It’s okay. I’ll enter it next year I guess.”
I look around at my brothers and before I can stop it, “We’ll help you Bubba,” is already out of my mouth and I wonder what I might have gotten myself into. But then a huge smile splits his face and I know I don’t care what I’ve gotten us into; it’s worth it to see that smile.