something!” Huggie showed his obvious approval with a great, big, pearly white smile. “You rich then, huh?” Aries shrugged and smirked. “Welcome to the family, my rich brotha from anotha motha!” This caused a round of laughter from everyone except Mr. McKinney.
“I’m doing okay. I’m self-made though. The whole Creed construction company legacy isn’t mine. I never benefitted from it. I wasn’t raised by my father and I didn’t have a relationship with him and Creed isn’t an uncommon last name, so, no one ever asked me if I was any relation.”
Huggie seemed rather intrigued by that tidbit. And he didn’t miss the way Mr. McKinney reached for his remote and turned the volume a bit lower, but pretended to do otherwise.
“Shiiiid! If he had been my daddy, I woulda told it to everyone in listening distance! He may not have had nothing to do with me, but he damn sure would be paying child support. Big bucks. Construct that check. That’s what he could construct… run me them dollars.”
Lauren chuckled.
“Huggie, I almost forgot!” Mama called out. “Gina wanted some tomatoes, too. Let me get them out the garden.”
“All right! So, how long y’all been seeing each other? How’d you meet?”
Aries ran down the condensed version and Huggie listened intently… and so did Mr. McKinney, his eyes wandering over to them on the sly every now and again.
“That was mighty kind of you to give my niece that building. I bet it’s worth a fortune.”
Aries shrugged.
“It’s just a building. It’s what’s inside that counts.”
“Now isn’t that the truth. A! Doris!” the man yelled. “What’s taking so long? It’s a tomato, or did you have to call the Backyardigans to come help you out?”
Lauren chuckled. “Huggie, you are terrible. You know how meticulous Mama is about those vegetables out there, and what do you know about the Backyardigans?”
“I got grandkids! I know plenty about those types of shows. Hey! Doris!” Mama returned inside the house, the screen door slamming behind her. She was huffing and puffing, a basket full of vegetables she’d picked off the vine in her grip.
“Huggie, give Gina these seed packets, too. She can grow some beans.”
“Some seeds? You must be bullshittin’. If they ain’t Boston Baked Beans candy, Gina can’t grow shit. She can barely grow her hair anymore with all that damn peroxide she be puttin’ in it tryna look like Jada Pinkett’s mama. Summertime fine. Instead, she’s runnin’ round here looking like a banana with lipstick. Make a man wanna split. No cherry on top.” That was it. Aries was overwhelmed with waves of laughter that poured out of his gut. Felt good to release it. “It’s true.”
Huggie smiled big. “I love my wife to death, man. Don’t get me wrong and she’s fine as wine, but marriage is hard work. It’s my second one and we’ve been married thirty-three years, but let me tell you, the woman can’t cook nothin’ but spaghetti, and she damn sure don’t have a green thumb. I’m old school, used to women who know how to throw down, but I married her anyway because she’s a good woman, and she wore the hell outta that purple dress I met her in when she worked for the Greyhound bus company. Aries, man, you should’ve seen it. Picture it, the summer of 1981… This woman’s ass looked like a sleeping pig stuffed in a fishing net. Catch of the damn day. Thank God I was no longer Muslim, ’cause it was swine time! Jesus answered my prayers. He knew what I wanted! Big ol’ ass just bouncing like a ball on the screen to some song lyrics! I followed along all right! Memorized each and every word.”
“Huggie! Leave that boy alone, talking all that foolishness!” Doris laughed as she carefully placed the vegetable, seeds, and flour in a paper bag.
Huggie burst out laughing and shook his head, clearly amused with himself. Aries couldn’t blame him. The guy was funny. Soon, bag in hand, the man made his way to the front door, and Aries and Lauren followed behind. Lauren’s mother opened it for them, ushering them on their way with kind, sweet words. Lauren kissed her mother goodbye once more, then the door closed and locked. The three of them walked on. Then, all of a sudden, Huggie paused, causing Aries to almost run into him. He looked rather serious as he sternly said, “Aries, my brother-in-law is a good man.” Lauren smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “Nah, hear