I got 99 problems, but a block ain't one.
~ ~ ~ ~
"Moose!" I yelled
"Hockey!" My dad yelled
"Aye!" My mom yelled
"Where is Drake from?" Mya yelled
"Oh shit, umm, Canada!" Rodney guessed
"Yes!" We all shouted. He flipped the phone up moving on to the next question
We're playing Head's Up because Rodney didn't know how to play, but I think he's getting it. The next country was Brazil. I instantly went to my mom and gently, well kind of, grabbed her weave.
"What kind is this?"
Rodney quirked his eyebrow, "Weave." He said in a duh tone.
"Well duuuhh, what kind is it though?"
"How the hell am I supposed to know—" Ding, ding, ding, " Damnit, now time's up." He whined.
I chuckled, "Let's just look at the video." He gave me the phone as we all crowded around it. You could see Mya jumping around like a mad woman as she tried to give hints to Rodney.
"Mya your ass ugly as hell." Rodney joked. Mya leaned over, and smacked Rodney upside the head, "Ow, damn. I wasn't lying though." That earned him another one, "Ow, okay."
"You done yet, cause I can keep going." Mya stood with her hands planted on her hip.
He raised his hands in surrender, "Ight, I'm done forreal, this time." Mya nodded her head in approval, and walked away, but not before Rodney mumbled something under his breath.
Smack
This time it wasn't Mya, it was my mom.
"Ow, damn. What did I say?" He asked holding the back of his head.
"You know what you said lil' boy." She said, "Now apologize."
Rodney chuckled, "Sorry Auntie C."
"You forgot about my apology!" Mya called out.
"That's because you not gettin' one." He said in a 'duh' tone. He got up from his seat and headed to the kitchen with my parents.
I began picking up the rest of the throw pillows and other trash that was on the floor.
"Rodney sure did glow up when he was gone."
I looked back at Rodney to examine him, "Yea, I guess you're right." I wasn't lying either. When Rodney was younger he used to be so ugly to be honest. I don't know how I didn't notice the change before.
"Oh yea, I'm guessing he already told that we started talking again." Mya said.
"He did. I truly wish y'all the best even though I'm mad you never told me about it."
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't know if it would go anywhere at first, plus I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
I sighed, "I get it, but y'all were sort of dating before, so why would it bother me now?" I waved my hand dismissively, "Listen don't worry about it, everything is good. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." Mya smiled and pulled me into a hug.
We finished cleaning the family room, and we went to the kitchen with every one else. Rodney was sitting at the counter talking and joking to my parents. My mom was making chili I think, and my dad was still trying to figure out how to work his iPhone.
"Mya, could you hand me that sauce next to you please?"
"Speaking of Mya, when yo ass goin' home?" Rodney joked.
"When yo lining coming back?" Mya shot back.
This is normal for them. Even before Rodney left to go to the Navy they were like this, but it seems like it's gotten worse ever since he left.
"Damn son, you ain't got nothing to say?" My dad butted in; I laughed.
I loved moments like this. Things like this didn't happen often because everyone was always gone. For instance, my older sister Destiny, at some point she played professional volleyball for some team in Korea, so she ended up moving her family there. Now, she coaches her own team in Texas so I barely see her, but every time she comes to visit I always try to spend as time with her as I can before she leaves again; same with Rodney.
Rodney said nothing, making me laugh even harder, "Man whatever." He huffed in annoyance.
"Aye man, it ain't my fault your ass can't come up with no good come back." My dad joked.
Their argument went on until my mom called us for dinner.
"Damn, Auntie C, chili smell good as hell."
"Language, Rodney."
He mumbled a sorry, and we finally began to eat. The table was silent as everyone was eating until Rodney spoke up.
"Oh hey I heard you got an offer from USC. That's amazing Lil Bit!" He said calling me by my nick name.
I chuckled and looked at Mya. She looked confused of course because I didn't tell anyone but my family. I knew she was upset.
"Izzy, how come you never told me?" She asked, "Dude this great! Are you gonna take it, I mean it is USC." I guess she isn't mad then.
I chuckled, "Hold on Mya they haven't officially offered me anything, but they did say that they're interested in me. The recruiter said that she's coming the the 'Recruit Me!' tournament in January to see if she really wants to offer me anything." I explained.
Mya nodded, "Ooh okay, I get it. I wonder if U of I Urbana is gonna be there."
I shrugged, "They should be. I mean this is an in-state tournament so it shouldn't be that hard to get there." Mya just nodded as we continued to eat our chili in silence.
Once everyone was done, my dad and Rodney washed the dishes while Mya went home. I went up to my room and turned on my speaker.
Confidently Lost by Sabrina Claudio was playing on my speaker as I was getting into bed. Right when I was about to turn off my light, there was a knock on my door.
"Come in." I called out.
My door opened and Rodney poked his head in, "Just wanted to say goodnight before you went to sleep."
I smiled warmly, "Okay well goodnight, and I'm so happy you're back home early."
Rodney inched is way in my room and found a seat at my desk, "Yea I'm happy to. They be working us like a dog out there, but the pay is great."
"As long as you're safe I'm good."
Rodney came over and pecked my forehead before heading back out. I snuggled under my blanket before falling into a deep sleep.