brother acted like he was embarrassed to hug his own sister. Cheyenne also noticed the six seedy-looking street dudes he’d brought with him. She shrugged, thinking maybe they were supposed to be Lil Kev’s thug entourage. Yeah, right. He was still her baby brother. Period.
“Thanks, baby bro. But you know we need to talk, right?” Cheyenne said to Lil Kev, her tone serious.
Cheyenne hadn’t forgotten that he had not been home in three days. He had not been listening to their mother at all, and they’d all been worried sick over him. Cheyenne was glad to see him there safe and sound, but she still intended to give him more than just a piece of her mind when they were alone.
“Nah, we ain’t gotta talk. I’m a man. I’m a’ight. Enjoy your party... nerd,” Lil Kev said, trying to make light of the situation.
Cheyenne immediately noticed the strain on her mother’s face as she watched their interaction. For her mother’s sake, Cheyenne dropped the subject. For the time being.
Cheyenne went back to the party, intent on enjoying herself so that her mother’s hard work wouldn’t be in vain. The music pumped. Her mother had gone all out on the food. All of Cheyenne’s favorites—fried shrimp, fried lobster tails, collard greens, candied yams—were there in abundance. The decorations were beautiful. Everything, including the beautiful sequinned drapes that had transformed the community center into a high-class venue, was gold and purple. Her mother had always said those two colors together reminded her of royalty. Cheyenne agreed that everything there was fit for a queen.
Cheyenne had been making her rounds, saying hello to all her friends when the music suddenly stopped. They all turned to see what happened. Cheyenne knew from experience that stopping the music at a hood party was like keeping the earth from rotating. She saw her mother standing next to the DJ setup.
“Hello! Hello! Can I have everyone’s attention, please,” her mother said into the DJ’s microphone.
Everyone there turned to face her. The room got quiet. Cheyenne looked at her mother. She was absolutely beautiful; she still had it. All the years of hard work and sleepless nights had done little damage to her mother’s flawless face. Of course, she had gained a few pounds—women did as they aged—but she still had a nice stomach, legs, and round hips.
“Today is a very special day for me, my family, and especially for my daughter. I don’t think God could have blessed me with a better daughter. Cheyenne, you are kind, smart, beautiful, and all a mother could ask for in a daughter and best friend. I am very proud of you. We have been though a lot as a family, but you never left my side.” Her mother choked out her words.
Cheyenne had already started crying just watching the beautiful soul that she was proud to call her mother. Kelsi swiped at her face, trying to make sure no one saw her tears. Lil Kev rolled his eyes and put his head down, trying to hide his emotions, too.
“I wanted to give you this party as your coming out. You are a woman now. There are things you will learn as you get older. I will be here for you through it all. So, with that said, I wanted your twenty-first birthday to be more memorable than you could’ve ever imagined. I have one more surprise for you,” her mother said behind the bright smile that always danced on her face.
Hushed murmurs immediately spread over the crowd like a wave. Cheyenne heard some of her party guests whispering, “She’s gonna get a car,” and “Maybe it’s the keys to a new condo.”
Cheyenne’s eyebrows rose into arches. Her mother had done enough for her. She’d paid for Cheyenne’s entire college education, books, food, clothes, and everything. She had told Cheyenne she did not have to work while she went to school. Cheyenne knew that had taken a financial toll on her mother. She’d watched her mother work overtime shifts, come home, get five hours of sleep, and head right back to work, all for her and Lil Kev. Cheyenne just couldn’t imagine her mother giving her much more.
“Cheyenne, for years I have wanted to give you this gift. I prayed and I prayed about it. Well, today, I can finally give it to you. Come on in!” her mother yelled into the microphone excitedly.
Cheyenne’s face crumpled in confusion. Everyone watched as the door beside the DJ setup opened slowly. The room went pin-drop quiet. Then, loud cheers, yells, ohs and ahs erupted in the room.
Cheyenne’s eyes flew open as wide they could go. She felt hot all over her body. Her stomach curled into a knot. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Oh my God! It’s Big K! Big K!” Kelsi was the first one to acknowledge him verbally. She dashed for him and ran into him for a hug. He smiled and returned her embrace, but he never took his eyes off of Cheyenne.
Cheyenne couldn’t move. Her feet had become rooted to the floor. Her mouth had suddenly gone cotton-ball dry. She hadn’t laid eyes on her father in the six years since she’d stopped going to the visits. He was the same, but different. Cheyenne tried to remember the last time she’d seen him, but her mind drew a blank. She blinked rapidly, but she could tell she was crying because her father’s silhouette became blurry as the tears obscured her vision.
Cheyenne put her hand over her chest. Her heart raced painfully against her ribcage. She choked on her own breath now.
Daddy? Is that really you? My daddy? Cheyenne said in her head, but the words wouldn’t come.
“Congratulations, baby girl,” her father said, his voice as deep and soothing as Cheyenne remembered it. He grabbed her and pulled her into him.
Cheyenne had finally taken enough air into her lungs to keep herself from passing out. She swallowed the tennis ball–sized lump that had lodged in her throat. She didn’t know what to say to him or how to react toward him.
“Daddy,” Cheyenne finally croaked out breathlessly.
Her father kissed the top of her head and squeezed her hard with his huge, muscular arms. He had gotten bigger than Cheyenne ever remembered him being. He’d also grown a full beard. Cheyenne could feel the beard hairs on her head.
“Yes, baby girl, it’s your daddy. I’m home. I’m finally home,” her father said.
Cheyenne could tell he was crying too.
“I’ve missed you so much. You’re so beautiful. I’m so proud of you,” her father spoke into her ear.
Cheyenne inhaled her father’s scent and silently thanked God he was back.
When he finally let her go, he wiped away his tears and hers. He held Cheyenne out in front of him and took a good look at her.
“Wow! What a lucky man I am to have such a beautiful baby girl,” her father huffed like his breath had been taken away.
Cheyenne smiled. Her father still had some of the qualities she remembered.
“Where’s my little man at?” her father asked Cheyenne, scanning around for Lil Kev.
The crowd opened up so her father could go embrace his son. Lil Kev had been standing with his little crew, talking like nothing special had happened. He acted like his father being home hadn’t fazed him one bit. Lil Kev’s face went stony when he saw his father moving toward him.
Cheyenne’s heartbeat sped up again.
“What’s up, Junior?” her father said proudly, stretching his arms out to embrace
