Page 79 of Anything Goes

“I doubt that shit,” I replied.

Nudging me, Alauni said, “You’re not helping.”

“I’m just speaking the truth. Reggie isn’t going to change, which means things won’t get better.”

“Even if that’s the case. You don’t need to be spewing negativity. That’s something that needs to be handled between the three of them.”

Knowing that Alauni was right, I nodded. “My bad, maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s cool, Unc. I know where you’re coming from. I feel the same way, but I have to hold my tongue. Like I said, I don’t want to cause my mom any stress.”

“That’s understandable.”

Keyon was a good kid, and he always put his mother’s feelings above his own. If he felt like it would cause her sadness, he worked hard to figure out a way to keep her happy. Not every kid his age was willing to do that. In fact, I knew quite a few that were giving their parents hell. So, Tokyo was lucky in more ways than one, and she’d done a damn good job raising him.

Tapping on the table with her menu, Alauni glanced around the restaurant. “What’s taking so long for someone to come over here and take our order?”

“Calm down,” I said.

“I’m too hungry to calm down. Plus, I need to get some coffee in my system. I need to start functioning again.”

“That’s what y’all get,” Keyon chimed in. “You can’t be out here trying to party like us young folk. It’s time out for all of that. Y’all should be at home balancing your checkbooks and playing with your grandkids.”

He laughed, but Alauni wasn’t amused. “Keep talking and you’ll be sitting out the next meet.”

“You can’t sit me out just because I called y’all old.”

“Try me.”

I knew Alauni was joking, but Keyon hurried to change the subject. “So, what y’all getting?”

“Steak and eggs,” I quickly replied while rubbing my belly. “I need to get full.”

“I think I’m going to have the pork chops.”

“You eat pork, Coach Jeffers?”

“Yes, Keyon, and don't even start giving me the third degree. I like my pig in every cut, and there's nothing that anyone can say to make me change my mind.”

“I hear what you’re saying, coach, but it’s not good for you.”

“Nothing is good for you. Not even the so-called food that they love slapping an organic label on.”

“True, but pork—”

“Oh, thank God,” Alauni said, grateful that the waiter showed up before Keyon could finish his little speech. “Let me get your pork chop and eggs breakfast platter with hash browns.”

“Okay, do you want those eggs scrambled?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“No problem, and what would you like to drink?”

“Coffee…black,” she said before turning to wink at me.

I shook my head and turned my attention back to the waiter to place my order.

Once we were done, we continued making small talk, and I made sure to avoid any further discussion of Alauni and her pork. I didn’t want to see Keyon get chewed out any more than he already had.