Chapter 13: Old Guy
Jamal stood in front of the mirror in his hotel room, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. His backpack sat on the bed, ready to go, but his mind wasn't on his travel plans.
His gaze drifted to the shopping bag lying on the bed beside his backpack, and he sighed inwardly, thinking of what to do with the dress he had gotten Abigail. He ran a hand over his face, trying to push the heaviness in his chest aside.
The sound of his phone vibrating on the dresser snapped him out of his thoughts. He grabbed it and smiled faintly when he saw the caller ID.
Lucy.
He answered, leaning against the edge of the desk. "Love of my life," he greeted warmly.
Lucy was his mother's maternal cousin, but she was also his very first crush. He had a crush on her long before they found out they were related.
It was through her and because of her that he had struck up a friendship with Dawn, who had been equally smitten by Lucy.
"My Jam!" Lucy's voice carried her usual cheer. "How are you? I heard about Dawn's news. I've been aning to call all morning, but everything's been so busy here at the office."
Jamal sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Yeah, it's been... a lot, especially considering the fact that I actually flew down to Blue York to see her."
"You did?" Lucy's voice softened.
"Yes. Yesterday was her eighteenth birthday, and I heard she was resuming college." Jamal exhaled heavily. "I wanted to et her, but then I heard the news."
"Oh, Jamal." Lucy's tone was filled with genuine sympathy. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that feels."
"Well, a lot has happened since then," he said, shaking his head as if she could see him.
"What happened?" Lucy asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
"You don't have to worry. It's not all bad," he rushed to assure her.
"Really? Tell
about it," Lucy urged him.
Jamal let out a small chuckle. "Be patient. I'll tell you everything when I see you," he said, suddenly making a decision to stop over in Ludus before heading back ho to Sogal.
"When will that be, Jam?" Lucy asked dryly.
"Sooner than you think. Who knows? Maybe next week, tomorrow, or today," he said with a teasing laugh.
"Be serious, Jam!" Lucy hissed playfully.
"Fine. I should be there by tomorrow. I'll get in late tonight but will see you first thing in the morning."
"What?" Lucy exclaid, a delighted laugh escaping her. "You're coming here? Oh, Jamal, I've missed you so much. I can't wait to see you."
"Sa here." Jamal smiled despite himself. "But listen, don't tell Tom or the kids. I want to surprise them."
"Not a word, I promise," Lucy said quickly. "What do you want
to make for you? Anything, you na it."
Jamal laughed, "Thanks for the offer, but don't worry about cooking anything. Just seeing you will be enough to fill
up."
Lucy laughed, her voice bright. "You're still as sweet as ever. All right, I'll be waiting."
The next day, Jamal stood in front of Tom's and Lucy's mansion with a grin spread across his face as he pushed the front door open, wondering who would be first to welco him.
He didn't have to wonder for too long.
"Jamal!"
The scream ca from his right. Brenda, Lucy's fourteen-year-old daughter, ca barreling down the hallway, her long black hair flying behind her. She threw herself at him before he could brace himself, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You're here!" Brenda cried, looking up at him with wide, happy grey eyes. "You didn't even tell us you were coming!"
"Surprise," Jamal said with a laugh, patting her head. "Didn't I teach you to be cool?"
"Branden! Bella!" Brenda shouted over her shoulder, ignoring him. "Co see who's here!"
In seconds, her siblings ca rushing in from the sa direction she had co from, their footsteps echoing loudly. Bella reached him first, pushing her sister out of the way to embrace him.
"My Jam!" She screeched, referring to him as their mother fondly did.
Jamal chuckled as he hugged her back, glad that he had decided to see them before going ho. Seeing them always lifted his spirits.
"Jamal, what did you get ?" Branden asked, crossing his arms and trying to appear cool.
Jamal smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear about my heartbreak?"
Brenda pouted dramatically. "Forget about her. You can just marry
instead."
"No way," Bella said, stepping forward. "He's marrying ."
Jamal burst into laughter, holding up his hands. "Whoa, whoa. Since when am I getting married to my underaged cousins?"
"They're not even pretty enough to marry you," Branden said, rolling his eyes.
That did it. Brenda turned on him first, smacking his arm, and Bella followed right after kicking his shin. The three of them dissolved into a playful fight, shoving and yelling at each other.
Jamal leaned against the wall, laughing so hard he had to wipe a tear from his eye. "Each ti I see you three, I can't believe Lucy gave birth to you."
"Why is there so much noise down here?" a familiar voice said from the staircase.
Jamal looked up with a grin to see Tom standing there, his arms crossed. He had that classic Tom expression— a mix of exasperation and amusent.
"I should've known you were the reason," Tom said dryly, shaking his head when he spotted Jamal.
Seeing the few silver strands in Tom's dark hair that added to his distinguished appearance, Jamal rembered the first ti he had t Tom right on that very staircase.
He had only been seven, and Tom had seed so intimidating and formidable to him. Who would have thought then that they'd all end up having such a complicated relationship?
Tom was not only Lucy's husband, but his Uncle's best friend, his ntor, and funnily, Dawn's half nephew, if such a word existed.
It still amused him each ti he thought about how Tom's grandfather had ended up having a child in his old age.
Jamal grinned. "Miss , old guy?" Jamal asked, spreading his arms wide.
"Hardly," Tom muttered, descending the stairs as his daughters ran over to join him, both talking at the sa ti.
"What are you doing in my house?" Tom asked, eyeing Jamal with mock annoyance even though he was relieved to see that Jamal didn't look so heartbroken.
"Who, ?" Jamal asked, feigning innocence. "I'm here to see the love of my life."
"?"
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