Page 53 of Quiet as Kept

“Nisha and Bobbie are the only people out of this entire family that you want to see and spend time with?” Cassandra asked me with her face balled up in a scary frown.

“How many people in this family want to see or spend time with me?”

She was silent.

“That’s what I thought. Yahirah, I’ll be right back.”

“Girl, I’ll be right here eating this food.”

I snickered as I walked away. On my way into the house, I walked into Nay’Tron standing with a group of his peers.

“Congratulations.” I gave him a one-armed hug and handed him his envelope. “Good luck in college.”

“Thanks, cuz. And thanks for the Cash App too. I really appreciate it.” He gave me a real hug.

“You’re welcome.”

I found my granny in the recliner in the front room.

“I knew you would be in here,” I teased, sitting down on the loveseat across from her.

“I knew you would know where to find me.”

“You knew I was coming?”

“Nisha texted me last night and told me she ran into you. I hoped you would come by. I’ve been thinking about you. Prayin’ for you. You look good, Xari. Happy.”

“Thank you. I am. I love my new job. I’m a nanny for two little girls. They’re the sweetest little girls ever.”

She smirked. “Oh, that glow you’re walking around with isn’t an ‘I love my job’ glow. It’s an ‘I love my man’ glow.”

“Granny!”

“Don’t Granny me. I’ve been around the block a few times and raised three daughters. Usually, not too long after I saw one of them with the glow you’re sporting, a new addition to the family was announced.”

I cackled loudly, and to my surprise, Granny joined in. I couldn’t remember the last time I heard her laugh, not chuckle sarcastically, but actually laugh.

“Well, that’s not what’s happening here. I mean, I might have a . . . gentleman friend, but we’re not announcing any new additions.”

“Not even for the two girls he already has? We won’t be welcoming them to the family?”

“What? What do you know about?—”

“Nisha is a hairdresser, Xari. That girl is one of the most observant people I know. She thinks you’re in love.”

“I’m not in love, Granny.”

“She thinks he’s in love too.”

“What?” I stood up from the loveseat.

My granny laughed again while holding up her hands in a sign of surrender.

“Look, don’t shoot the messenger.”

Fifteen

Kept