The table exploded with raucous laughter. He needed that right now. The noise was a shield, the laugher was, too. It blotted out thought as the Guardians began talking trash and ordering food. It spiked memories of times in hotels after the band did their thing, times after firefights when they'd won. Later, they could take a building tour. It would hold down the stress. Later they could talk about the technology J.L. was kicking back and forth online with Phat G. Right now, he couldn't wrap his brain around reverse-imaging cameras that took cold-reading bit map points,then converted them into digital dot graphics that could be run through 3-D modeling software to build a portrait of something that was supposedly nonphotographable. Carlos simply stared at J.L. and G.
His mind was jumping all over the place, couldn't hold focus. Oh, shit . . . Carlos wiped his palms down his face. The conversation at the table suddenly sounded muffled. Where was his wife? He'd seen her come in there and go into the bathroom with Mom Delores. He wasn't a drug dealer anymore-where did that come from? Random thoughts stabbed into his brain out of nowhere.
"Whatchu having, hon?"
Carlos snapped out of the haze and just stared at Chantay for a moment. "Uh . . . what's good? There's so much on here that blows my mind, I don't know where to start."
"Everybody says that when they come up in here," she said with a big smile. "That's 'cause Mo and G really stole mySouth Carolina secret sauce when I came to N.Y.C. to show 'em how to do the thing right. But we ain't gonna get into all that." She made the crew at the table laugh and then licked the end of her pencil before pressing it down on her pad. "Ribs here are a must-do, if you're a carnivore. Plus, the greens-say no more, and the mac and cheese will give you a food-gasm. Save room, though, baby-'cause we got this pecan sweet potato pie and this banana-coconut bread pudding that'll make you hurt yourself.Lynchburg lemonade made with Jack Daniel's and served in a mason jar crusted with big-grain sugar to top you off. Or you could just get the Big Ass Pulled Pork and fall out, okaaay? That's what I would get, if I was new here."
"Whoooo-weee," Mike said, shaking his head. "I just done fount myfavorite restaurant-besides my baby's cooking, of course." Mike offered Inez a sheepish grin, making the table erupt with laughter again and then looked down at the menu with longing. "Since Rivera's still deciding, you can gimme all that you just said,plus the Big Ass Pulled Pork."
"Hit me right off with theLynchburg lemonade, darlin'," Rider said with a big grin. "I'd be much obliged. No sense standing on ceremony.How many firefights we been in half-lit?"
Jose laughed hard and pounded Rider's fist with Shabazz. "I believe that's half of what pulled us through,holmes ."
"Yeah," Carlos finally said after the order came back around to him again. "Same thing you did for Mike, minus the pulled pork platter." He stared at the ladies' room door. "You can also do a vegan platter with fried green tomatoes, greens, yams, and corn bread for my wife-with aCorona. ' Nez, order something for your mom, too, sis." He stood. "I just need to go check on them."
He excused himself; the team kept talking, but he could feel Marlene's eyes on his back. Something close to panic was drawing him to Damali's energy pattern. But rather than unnecessarily barging into the ladies' room, when he got to the door he stopped-feeling foolish.
"You all right, D?" he called out, hoping she would just come out.
"We're good," she yelled back. "Meand Mom Delores are just talking, baby. We'll be at the table real soon."
"Oh . . . okay . . . uh . . . we're ordering . . . just wanted to be sure we got something you'd like."
"You know what to get for me, but order light for Mom. Her stomach is still a little queasy. All right, baby?"
Carlos held on to the door frame when he heard the older woman hurl. "Okay, I'mago back to the table and let folks know everything's cool."
"Thanks, baby."
Damali's words rang in his ears, causing him to pivot too quickly to walk back to the table, and he almost took out a server who was dashing back to the kitchen. Two deep breaths, he steadied himself and began walking after the near collision. When he got to the table he made the muscles in his face relax before he met Inez's and Mike's eyes.
For a moment, he didn't know what to do. He had to stop bugging. The vibe here was cool. The energy flow safe. It was a good place to bed down for the night.A good place to water the horses. But why did he feel like he was ready to jump out of his skin? Worse, why did he feel like if he didn't see Damali or sit in her presence, he'd lose it? Carlos sat down at the table. Everyone looked at him for a report.
"How's she doing?" Inez asked, trying to keep Ayana busy. "I should go to her and-"
"No, no, it's cool. Damali's got her and Ayana needs your lap right now."
Mike put a supportive arm over Inez's shoulder. "It's gonna be all right."
Carlos nodded, reassuring Inez. "D said to order her something light, though."
He and Mike shared a look as Inez closed her eyes for a moment.
"Her stomach . . ." Inez kissed her daughter's curls.
"Just first flight jitters. She'll be fine, Damali said."
Carlos watched the Guardians relax and after a moment Inez seemed to accept the inevitable. It was what it was. Her mother was going to be upset for a few, but just like everyone else did, she'd make the team transition.
"It's all good?" Shabazz asked, not seeming sure.
"Yeah.They're just talking . . . but Mom is adjusting," Carlos said, as though he had moreintel than he did. He reached for a piece of corn bread from the breadbasket, not knowing what else to do with his hands while trying to ignore Marlene's unblinking gaze. He wasn't even hungry, truthbe told.
"You look a little tense, C.How you holding up?" Marlene asked quietly, once the normal mealtime banter resumed.
"I'm cool . . . just tired, you know.Rough day." Carlos looked up almost startled and accepted his drink from Chantay. "Thanks, my bad."