Manny and I get off of the plane then go get our luggage. As we make our way to the entrance we notice that no one is here to pick us up. I know I told my parents the time that we were gonna be there, so why were they not there? How did this look on my part? I've hyped up my family to Manny and this is the first impression? Wow. I looked at Manny, turned around and started to walk back inside.
“Where you goin' nephew!?” A voice called out to me. I turned back around to see my Uncle Ron and Aunt Helen. I dropped my things and ran over to them. The last time I seen them, I was a junior in high school. “Man you lookin' good nephew!” uncle Ron said. “Thank you.” I said letting go. “It's been a minute since I seen y'all.” I said excitedly. “The twins here?” I asked them as Manny walked up beside me. “Of course, they excited to see their cousin.” aunt Helen told me.
“So who is this here?” uncle Ron asked looking Manny up and down. “I'm Manny, Willie's boyfriend.” Manny said extending his had. My uncle shook it and said, “Oh OK. You treatin' Willie right aren't you Manny?” with a firmness in his voice. “Of course, I don't think he would've brought me if I wasn't.” Manny said with confidence.
“Alright Manny, you good with me man.” my uncle said with a smile as he took some of the bags from Manny. “Yeah Will you sure do know how to pick em, he's a cutie!” my aunt Helen chimed in. Manny started blushing as we walked to the car. “Yeah, he can be a bad boy sometimes too!” I said. My aunt and uncle started laughing. Manny looked at me as if I said too much.
On the way to the house, we were just tellin' them about our time in New York. It goes without saying that I told them about the lil incident. My aunt and uncle seemed kinda surprised at what happened. Well not really what happened, but how I handled it.
“Man, Willie you ain't shoot nobody!” uncle Ron said.
“Oh yes, yes he did.” Manny said laughing. “Wow Willie, that's something!” aunt Helen said. “Yeah, it is.” I said with a smile. “But y'all seem to compliment each other and that's good.” my uncle said. Manny and I just looked at each other and smiled.
We pull up to the house and as I get out I'm greeted by my cousin Kortney putting me in a headlock. “They here Kevin!” Kortney yelled towards the house. “Look who all growed up!” Kortney said not loosening his grip. Manny looked and smiled. “Yeah, don't make my growed up behind kick your ass!” I said hitting him in the gut, he let go. Manny laughed. “What's so funny Yella Boy!?!” said a voice as they approached Manny. I already knew who it was, Kevin.
“Look at this nigga Kortney.” Kevin said as Kortney walked over there. “What's your name Yella?” Kortney asked. “Well it damn sure ain't Yella.” Manny said with some bass in his voice. “Oh, Kevin I think that he think just cause he got a deep voice we suppose to be scared.” Kortney said tappin' Kevin shoulder and laughing. “Naw, we ain't shook pretty boy, what's your name?” Kevin said.
“Manny.” he said not backing down. This was funny to watch. My family loved to grill the dudes I brought home.
“Manny? What kinda name is that?” Kortney asked laughing. Kevin started laughing. “Well I could ask the same thing about Kortney couldn't I?” Manny said. Kortney stopped laughing and Kevin just laughed harder. “What you don't like my name?” Kortney asked. “I never said that man.” Manny said holding back a laugh.
“Well I don't like your name either, Manny!” Kortney said with force. “OK, that's cool cause Willie does and that's all that matters soo....” Manny said shutting down the convo. I couldn't help but smile. He handled himself well.
There was a silence. Kevin and Kortney looked at each other and then back at Manny. Then they started laughing. “You good Manny, we was just grillin' you!” Kevin said with a laugh. Manny laughed too. We went to the trunk and got the luggage out of there.
When we step into the house, we're greeted by the smell of food and boy did it smell good. “Took y'all long enough to get back in here.” aunt Helen said.
“Oh! There's my baby.” My mother said rushing over to me. I met her half way and gave her the biggest hug I could possibly give her. “I missed you baby!” “I missed you too mama!” I said hugging her tightly. “Alright woman let him go now!” my dad said. As soon as my mother let go, I wasted no time giving my dad a big bear hug. “How you been son?” “I've been good pops.” I said patting him on the back. “That's good to hear.” he said letting go. As soon as he did, both him and my mother looked at Manny.
“So who is this fine gentleman we have here?” my mother asked.
“I'm Emmanuel but everyone calls me Manny. It's nice to meet you both Mr. and Mrs. Handen.” Manny said extending his hand. My mother just looked at his hand for a second. “Boy if you don't get over here and hug my neck!” My mama said opening her arms and stepping towards Manny. Manny hugged her and then let go.
“It's nice to meet you too Manny.” my dad said extending his hand meeting Manny's and shaking it. “You taking care of my son right?” my dad asked letting Manny's hand go. “Yes sir of course.” Manny said being super respectful. “Oh cut that shit out! Mom, dad. Mama, daddy. Your pick!” My daddy said patting Manny on the back. “My bad dad.” I can tell Manny had a hard time getting that out.
“So you too hungry?” my mother asked both of us. “Oh yeah!” Manny said without missing a beat. “Alright then, go put your things in Willie's room, wash up and then come and fix yourself a plate.” my mama said. We both said ok and headed to my room.
“Wow Willie, you have amazing parents.” Manny said smiling. “Thanks babe, they really like you.” I said entering my room. “Man I missed my room!” I said putting my stuff down and looking around. “Nice room you got babe.” Manny said hugging me. “Thanks, you're sleeping on the floor.” I said walking out and smiling. He had that puppy dog look on his face. “Come on big head, I'm hungry.” I said walking out of the room, Manny was right behind me.
“Alright, there's ribs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and potato salad.” my mama said leading us in the kitchen. “Dang ma, you threw down!” I said grabbing a plate for myself and Manny. We both fixed our food and made our way to the table.
I sat down and soon joined by Manny and the rest of the family. I picked up my fork and my dad shot me the ugliest look. My dad said grace and then we ate. Manny and I told my parents about school and the trip to New York. And when I say New York, I mean everything about the trip.
“Now do you really think that was the smartest thing to do?” My dad asked me.
“It was self defense daddy.” I said to him. “I guess so. So Manny you blame yourself for puttin' my boy in danger?” my dad asked. The table got quiet, I stopped eating and sat back like, 'was this man fa real?'
Manny looked at him. “Of course I do, the entire situation had nothing to do with him. It's my fault that he was in that position.” Manny said, I got mad. “That's bullshit.” I said not caring where I was at. “Watch your mouth.” my mother said as my daddy gave me one of those looks. “Fine, but it's not all Manny's fault.” I said getting up from the table. “Um, excuse me.” Manny said getting up from the table. “You're ok baby.” my mother said as Manny walked to the kitchen.
“That was not cool.” I said getting a drink out of the refrigerator. “But you have to understand that your parents are gonna put me on the spot Will and I'm more than ready to accept the challenge. I'mma do everything to prove my love for you to them, it's all good bae.” Manny said giving me a hug.
After my aunt, uncle, and cousins left, there was a still in the house. Manny, my father, and I were watching the TV. My daddy kept stealing looks at us, especially when Manny put his arm around me. “Willie, can I talk to Manny for a minute.” my dad asked. “Yeah, no problem.” I said not moving. “Alone!” my dad said raising his voice, I got a lil agitated. “It's cool babe, remember what I told you?” Manny said pushing me up off the couch, ugh. I walked in the kitchen with my mother.
“Mama, really?”
“Willie, you know how your father is, don't act so shocked.” My mother said. “But at the dinner table, he don't think I can take care of myself?” I asked a lil heated.
“It's not that baby, he's just making sure Manny can.” she said to me. She made so much sense. Mothers like to do shit like that, as soon as you get mad about something your mother will make you look at it in a different way and make it seem less hostile.
“What you think they talking bout?” I said looking over there and noticed that Manny was sitting on the edge of the couch looking directly at my father. “Who knows, men are just that honey, you should know!” My mother said laughing then slapping me on my arm with a dish rag. I looked back over to Manny and my dad and seen Manny laughing then my dad joining. Maybe he was just shaking Manny cage.
“Where you goin' nephew!?” A voice called out to me. I turned back around to see my Uncle Ron and Aunt Helen. I dropped my things and ran over to them. The last time I seen them, I was a junior in high school. “Man you lookin' good nephew!” uncle Ron said. “Thank you.” I said letting go. “It's been a minute since I seen y'all.” I said excitedly. “The twins here?” I asked them as Manny walked up beside me. “Of course, they excited to see their cousin.” aunt Helen told me.
“So who is this here?” uncle Ron asked looking Manny up and down. “I'm Manny, Willie's boyfriend.” Manny said extending his had. My uncle shook it and said, “Oh OK. You treatin' Willie right aren't you Manny?” with a firmness in his voice. “Of course, I don't think he would've brought me if I wasn't.” Manny said with confidence.
“Alright Manny, you good with me man.” my uncle said with a smile as he took some of the bags from Manny. “Yeah Will you sure do know how to pick em, he's a cutie!” my aunt Helen chimed in. Manny started blushing as we walked to the car. “Yeah, he can be a bad boy sometimes too!” I said. My aunt and uncle started laughing. Manny looked at me as if I said too much.
On the way to the house, we were just tellin' them about our time in New York. It goes without saying that I told them about the lil incident. My aunt and uncle seemed kinda surprised at what happened. Well not really what happened, but how I handled it.
“Man, Willie you ain't shoot nobody!” uncle Ron said.
“Oh yes, yes he did.” Manny said laughing. “Wow Willie, that's something!” aunt Helen said. “Yeah, it is.” I said with a smile. “But y'all seem to compliment each other and that's good.” my uncle said. Manny and I just looked at each other and smiled.
We pull up to the house and as I get out I'm greeted by my cousin Kortney putting me in a headlock. “They here Kevin!” Kortney yelled towards the house. “Look who all growed up!” Kortney said not loosening his grip. Manny looked and smiled. “Yeah, don't make my growed up behind kick your ass!” I said hitting him in the gut, he let go. Manny laughed. “What's so funny Yella Boy!?!” said a voice as they approached Manny. I already knew who it was, Kevin.
“Look at this nigga Kortney.” Kevin said as Kortney walked over there. “What's your name Yella?” Kortney asked. “Well it damn sure ain't Yella.” Manny said with some bass in his voice. “Oh, Kevin I think that he think just cause he got a deep voice we suppose to be scared.” Kortney said tappin' Kevin shoulder and laughing. “Naw, we ain't shook pretty boy, what's your name?” Kevin said.
“Manny.” he said not backing down. This was funny to watch. My family loved to grill the dudes I brought home.
“Manny? What kinda name is that?” Kortney asked laughing. Kevin started laughing. “Well I could ask the same thing about Kortney couldn't I?” Manny said. Kortney stopped laughing and Kevin just laughed harder. “What you don't like my name?” Kortney asked. “I never said that man.” Manny said holding back a laugh.
“Well I don't like your name either, Manny!” Kortney said with force. “OK, that's cool cause Willie does and that's all that matters soo....” Manny said shutting down the convo. I couldn't help but smile. He handled himself well.
There was a silence. Kevin and Kortney looked at each other and then back at Manny. Then they started laughing. “You good Manny, we was just grillin' you!” Kevin said with a laugh. Manny laughed too. We went to the trunk and got the luggage out of there.
When we step into the house, we're greeted by the smell of food and boy did it smell good. “Took y'all long enough to get back in here.” aunt Helen said.
“Oh! There's my baby.” My mother said rushing over to me. I met her half way and gave her the biggest hug I could possibly give her. “I missed you baby!” “I missed you too mama!” I said hugging her tightly. “Alright woman let him go now!” my dad said. As soon as my mother let go, I wasted no time giving my dad a big bear hug. “How you been son?” “I've been good pops.” I said patting him on the back. “That's good to hear.” he said letting go. As soon as he did, both him and my mother looked at Manny.
“So who is this fine gentleman we have here?” my mother asked.
“I'm Emmanuel but everyone calls me Manny. It's nice to meet you both Mr. and Mrs. Handen.” Manny said extending his hand. My mother just looked at his hand for a second. “Boy if you don't get over here and hug my neck!” My mama said opening her arms and stepping towards Manny. Manny hugged her and then let go.
“It's nice to meet you too Manny.” my dad said extending his hand meeting Manny's and shaking it. “You taking care of my son right?” my dad asked letting Manny's hand go. “Yes sir of course.” Manny said being super respectful. “Oh cut that shit out! Mom, dad. Mama, daddy. Your pick!” My daddy said patting Manny on the back. “My bad dad.” I can tell Manny had a hard time getting that out.
“So you too hungry?” my mother asked both of us. “Oh yeah!” Manny said without missing a beat. “Alright then, go put your things in Willie's room, wash up and then come and fix yourself a plate.” my mama said. We both said ok and headed to my room.
“Wow Willie, you have amazing parents.” Manny said smiling. “Thanks babe, they really like you.” I said entering my room. “Man I missed my room!” I said putting my stuff down and looking around. “Nice room you got babe.” Manny said hugging me. “Thanks, you're sleeping on the floor.” I said walking out and smiling. He had that puppy dog look on his face. “Come on big head, I'm hungry.” I said walking out of the room, Manny was right behind me.
“Alright, there's ribs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and potato salad.” my mama said leading us in the kitchen. “Dang ma, you threw down!” I said grabbing a plate for myself and Manny. We both fixed our food and made our way to the table.
I sat down and soon joined by Manny and the rest of the family. I picked up my fork and my dad shot me the ugliest look. My dad said grace and then we ate. Manny and I told my parents about school and the trip to New York. And when I say New York, I mean everything about the trip.
“Now do you really think that was the smartest thing to do?” My dad asked me.
“It was self defense daddy.” I said to him. “I guess so. So Manny you blame yourself for puttin' my boy in danger?” my dad asked. The table got quiet, I stopped eating and sat back like, 'was this man fa real?'
Manny looked at him. “Of course I do, the entire situation had nothing to do with him. It's my fault that he was in that position.” Manny said, I got mad. “That's bullshit.” I said not caring where I was at. “Watch your mouth.” my mother said as my daddy gave me one of those looks. “Fine, but it's not all Manny's fault.” I said getting up from the table. “Um, excuse me.” Manny said getting up from the table. “You're ok baby.” my mother said as Manny walked to the kitchen.
“That was not cool.” I said getting a drink out of the refrigerator. “But you have to understand that your parents are gonna put me on the spot Will and I'm more than ready to accept the challenge. I'mma do everything to prove my love for you to them, it's all good bae.” Manny said giving me a hug.
After my aunt, uncle, and cousins left, there was a still in the house. Manny, my father, and I were watching the TV. My daddy kept stealing looks at us, especially when Manny put his arm around me. “Willie, can I talk to Manny for a minute.” my dad asked. “Yeah, no problem.” I said not moving. “Alone!” my dad said raising his voice, I got a lil agitated. “It's cool babe, remember what I told you?” Manny said pushing me up off the couch, ugh. I walked in the kitchen with my mother.
“Mama, really?”
“Willie, you know how your father is, don't act so shocked.” My mother said. “But at the dinner table, he don't think I can take care of myself?” I asked a lil heated.
“It's not that baby, he's just making sure Manny can.” she said to me. She made so much sense. Mothers like to do shit like that, as soon as you get mad about something your mother will make you look at it in a different way and make it seem less hostile.
“What you think they talking bout?” I said looking over there and noticed that Manny was sitting on the edge of the couch looking directly at my father. “Who knows, men are just that honey, you should know!” My mother said laughing then slapping me on my arm with a dish rag. I looked back over to Manny and my dad and seen Manny laughing then my dad joining. Maybe he was just shaking Manny cage.
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