The Publicist

Mystery Call

Jazmine POV-

"Y'all got everything?" Ms. Shelia asked as we came back in the house from putting our things in the car.

"Yup." August said coming in behind me.

"Alright then. Y'all be safe." Mama Shelia hugged Aug.

"You make sure you safe while you out here facetiming old niggas. Wrap it up."

She hit him and pushed him off of her.

"Damn Ma. I was looking out for you."

"Girl if I was you I would dump his ignorant ass." Ms. Shelia grabbed me into a hug.

I laughed.

"Any recipes you need. Help or anything else just let me know."

"I will."

"Imma try to make it up there to see y'all."

"Oh that would be great." I smiled. "You could bring your man."

"Or she could not." August looked at me.

"Boy you don't tell me who I can or cannot bring. Anyway, y'all get outta here before traffic hit."

"Mm-hm. Trying to kick us out so you can do the do." August eyed her. "I'm on to you Shelia Marie Blair."

"Boy if you don't get outta my house." She directed us toward the door laughing at Aug's foolishness.

We left out giving her one last hug. We got in the car and hit the road.

-----

"I never leave without coming here."

I followed Aug out of the car to the cemetery where his brother was buried. He just looked at the place where his brother laid for a minute. Not saying anything. I'm sure his mind was running rapid with thoughts, but the only sound we heard were the birds chirping.

That was a beautiful sign. That amongst all this death, there was still life. The birds. The spirits of those that lay beneath the soil.

I wrapped my arms around his and held his hand. He put his fingers between mine.

"What do you think he'd say seeing all you accomplished today?" I laid my head on his shoulder.

"Nigga you did it." He gave a slight smile.

"You did." I reached up and kissed his cheek.

"Yeah." He sighed. "Just sad my nigga couldn't see."

I was waiting for him to cry but he didn't.

"We can go. Just wanted to pay my respects." He made a salute to his brother then led me still holding my hand back to the car.

He opened my door for me and closed it. Then got in. We drove to the high way in silence. I wanted to give him time to process his thoughts.

"What you thinking about bum?" I looked over at him as we silently drove on the highway.

"How when I was first learning to talk to girls, Mel said your game gotta be as smooth as Nola Jazz."
He chuckled.

"I didn't realize I put that as a hashtag under your pic."

"Oh because New Orleans is known for jazz music?"

"Yeah. And it's real smooth I guess. I don't know. Mel was always using these old ass men quotes. Like shit somebody granddaddy would say. "

I laughed. "Like what?"