Blood Is Thicka' Than Water

[ Four ]

  I rubbed my eyes, walking through the house, and towards the kitchen. Jill Scott's whisper turned into a conversation the closer I got. I peeked inside, watching Sid and Kelz dance around the kitchen, fixing breakfast. I chuckled, walking inside the aromatic space and taking a seat on the stool.

  " Moanin', pretty woman. " he sung to me as he danced. " How you feelin'? "

  " I'm good. I see you inna' good mood. "

  " Always. " he smiled. " Jacks or waffles? "

  " Waffles, please? "

  " My King, would you do me the honors? " he asked Kelz.

  " Anything fa' you. " Kelz leaned in to give Sid a peck on the lips before turning to the waffle iron and pouring the batter onto it.

  " What made ya' come back? " Sid asked, scrambling the eggs in the skillet.

  " It's somethin' 'bout you. " I pointed to him as he blushed. " Foreal though, you the opposite of what my mama say. "

  " 'Spite whatcha' heard, I ain't try and kill them people. I was hurt. Angry. Like I said yesterday, I ain't have no control and ain't know my strength. " he paused before he continued. " What's the worst storm to hit New Orleans? "

  " Easy, Hurricane Katrina. "

  " Well I da' pappy. " he slightly rolled his neck.

  " Uh uh, Sid, you ain't gotta' lie. " I chuckled.

  " Come see. "

  He removed the eggs from the stove, putting the pot to the side, and leaving the room. I followed behind him as the front door suddenly unlocked and opened without being physically touched. I stopped in my tracks, hesitant to walk any further.

  " Gir', you gone' be fine. "

  He walked out the door as I soon crossed the threshold. He stood at the edge of the first step. Patiently, he lifted his right hand, extending it towards the sky. Without hesitation, the sun faded and the clouds began forming like waves in a raging sea. The wind whistled in my ear as the surrounding trees and leaves began to dance. I looked at Sid, his eyes closed as his mouth moved. I couldn't hear anything he was saying, but the faster he spoke them, the quicker the wind trembled. Then his eyes opened. They were bright, grey, and cloudy. Oh so cloudy. The grey mists swam around like fish in his eyes. And then I saw the rain. Then came the rain. First as a mist, then like a spring. It rained down from the sky, soaking and replenishing the earth. I stared at him in amazement. I was shook.

  " Sid, you out hea' makin' it rain again? " Daisy yawned from the door.

  " Na' let's eat. "

  We fixed our plates then sat around the TV and enjoyed our breakfast. Sid and Kelz are really something special. Their chemistry is off the charts, and they work so well together. They compliment each other so effortlessly.

  " I love tha' place, Sid. " I sipped some orange juice from the cup.

  " Yo' grandaddy and I built it back in two thousand five, afta' the storm. "

  " You kiddin'? "

  He shook his head as Kelz stood up, taking our empty plates and going into the kitchen.

  " We'll be back in 'a minute. " Sid followed behind Kelz, smacking his butt as they left the room.

  I chuckled and shook my head. I looked over at Daisy who seemed to have much on her mind.

  " You mus' be close to Sid? " I pulled her away from her thoughts. She looked at me and then looked out the large windows to the backyard.

  " I lost myself chasin' afta' some man. He beat me. He abused me. He humiliated me. I was low, Vee. I was lowa' than 'a grave. " she met my eyes, tears welling up in hers. " A friend tol' me 'bout this place. It's betta' than any government aid. It's betta' than any shelter 'round New Orleans. They heal ya'. They help ya', and I mean really help ya'. That place was hea'. " she stood up, walking to the window that overlooked the ridiculously large backyard. " Only the privileged get ta' see it. They got hospitals, orphanages, food fa' the hungry and homeless, even beautiful places for 'em ta' lay they head at night. Sid and Kelz saved my life. Sid and Kelz save lives. "

  I stood up, walking over, and looking over her shoulder. I saw nothing. I grew confused. The way she explained this place made it seem real.

  " Daisy, I 'on see nothin'. "

  She turned to face me with a joyous smile on her face. " In time, chi'. In time. "

  She hugged me tightly before leaving the room and returning back to the guest room. I stood there. I just stood there. That's all I could do. Still, nothing made sense and I had even more questions I didn't know how to ask. I looked into the large mirror at my reflection. But something was wrong with the reflection. It wasn't me. It was my grandmother.

  " Killem'. " she whispered sharply. " Killem'! "

  The house lightly shook and on cue, Sid walked into the room blowing on the sage while holding it in his hand. He slowly walked towards me, murmuring words I couldn't understand. My heart began beating fast, my adrenaline rushing from the anticipation of the moment. He blew the smoke into my face and a cold gust of wind swept through my body. My eyes and mouth tightly shut and my body limp. I could still hear everything that was going on.

  " Daisy Mae? " Sid calmly called for Daisy who came running. She gasped.

  " Is she aight? "

  " Y'all in big trouble, you undastan' me? " his breathing became labored as the house began to mirror his emotions. The doors opened and slammed shut, repeatedly. You could hear the pots and pans rattling in the kitchen. Even the faucets screamed throughout the house.

  " Jus' take a deep breath, baby. Breath in. Listen ta' me, Sid, breath in. " The doors slammed louder and faster the more Kelz tried to coach Sid. Nothing he was doing would work.

  " Baiser du troisième œil! " the French rolled off his tongue with ease. He had even taken on a different accent.

  " Kiss of the Third Eye. " Daisy and Kelz translated in unison.

  " f**k! " she cursed.

  Sid finally took a deep breath as everything around the house slowly made its way back to normal. There was a still silence before he spoke. " Justice, I 'on 'preciate you compromising my privacy, 'specially not like this. Using yo' own daughta', that ain't how we do this. Na' you been meetin' with Kelz fa' years, beggin' fa' ansas' through me. It stops na'. If you, Treice, Gertie, or anybody else can't speak face to face, I can't help you. I ain't gon' help ya'. This yo' warnin'. I don't wanna' make this bad, but I will, and you kno' I will. And tell that b***h to stay dead if she kno' what's good fo' 'a. "