I found myself in the media lately. These blogs are giving me a platform and I'm not used to this, but I am with Zuri. This is all new, like how does she deal with this? The fans have found my social media started to follow me everywhere! This is becoming too much. I even saw some comments, talking about some "oh he just with her for clout" what the fuck is ya even talking about? Real talk, bruh! It's like a whirlwind of attention that I never asked for, but somehow landed in. I never imagined that my private life would become public fodder for the masses. Zuri has been a rock throughout this madness, showing me how to navigate this new world with grace and poise. The constant scrutiny and judgment from strangers has left me feeling exposed and vulnerable in ways I never anticipated. The sudden influx of followers and comments has made me question the authenticity of my relationships and the intentions of those around me. It's a surreal experience that I am still trying to make sense of, all while trying to stay true to myself amidst the chaos.
"Baby girl?"
"Yes?"
"Uh, I've been getting too much attention lately. It's like I'm blowing up overnight,"
"You know how blogs are once they find out some shit,"
"Type shit. Some people saying I'm with you for clout,"
"They don't know what they're talking about. Just ignore them, babe. So, are you ready for today?"
"Actually, now I'm kind of nervous,"
"What? All that stuff you were talking about how your family is gonna love me and now you're nervous? I should be the one nervous!" She shouted.
"I know, but I don't know what they may say or think, like it's a new experience for me in a long time,"
"Duke, just relax. Let's just breathe and calm our nerves. Everything is gonna be okay! I'll just be myself and be respectful. Besides, it's just your mom and your sister, right?"
"And my grandmother,"
"Oh..."
"What's wrong?"
"It's one thing to meet the mom, but the grandmother? That's a different story. Now I'm nervous,"
"That's why I got nervous too. My mom ran her mouth and said she wanted me to introduce you to my grandma. I don't mind, it's just that I wasn't really ready, but my grandma said she would love to meet you,"
"Well, let me be on my best behavior,"
"I know it's last minute, but it would really mean a lot to me if you would just give into it,"
"I am. Who doesn't love the grandmother's? I've been preparing for the day I get to meet your family and today is that day and one step closer to your heart,"
"Another step deeper in my heart,"
I grabbed her hands and kissed the back of it. I gave her a kiss on her cheek and we both started out the door. Milo is out with Michael for the week, so I have some free time.
On the drive to my mother's house, my heart was pounding. I didn't know what to expect at all. I haven't brought a girl around my family in three years and I'm not sure what it will bring this time. We made it to my mom's house and I took a deep breath. Zuri was all giggly inside and was ready to meet everybody. Well, if she's cool, then I'm cool. I got out the car and walked over to let her out. I grabbed her hand and guided her to the front door. As we approached the entrance, I couldn't help but wonder how my family would react to her, hoping that they would see what I saw in her - a kind and genuine person.
This is it," I said. "Come on, let's go, I rang the doorbell twice, waiting for an answer. Naomi answered the door and instantly smiled.
"Hey! Hi, how are you?"
"I'm great! How are you?" Zuri asked.
"I'm good. It's nice to see you again!"
"Thank you. This house is gorgeous!"
So far, so good.
"Duke talk about you a lot! I think my brother's in love or whatever,"
"As he should be! As he should!"
"Back in the day, he used to date girls with gaps and crooked teeth-"
"No, I did not!" I interrupted. They were both laughing, but I was dead ass serious. Not that it's a problem with having imperfect teeth, but that was not true. I got her ass later on.
"Ma! Where you at? Come and get yo daughter,"
"Hey, baby" She said, hugging me. "Oh, look who we have here,"
"Hello," Zuri smiled.
"Hi! You can make yourself at home. You don't have to be so stiff around us,"
"Just kind of nervous,"
"You don't have to be nervous around us. If you're a friend of my children, you're a friend of the family. I got some food coming out soon and we can all chill out on the patio,"
"Thank you,"
"So, I heard a lot about you. Duke tells me you're moving back home,"
"I am. I never wanted to move anyway, really. I just had to do what I really wanted to do and that was follow my heart...go back where I was comfortable at,"
"I know that's right. If you feel uncomfortable somewhere, then you don't need to be there,"
"You know, it's crazy how life works out sometimes. I never thought I'd be back here, but here I am,"
"Well, we're glad to have you back. Family's always important, you know?"
"Absolutely. I missed mines guys a lot. It feels good to be back. I feel like I never really left,"
"That's the best feeling, isn't it? When you come back home and everything just falls back into place,"
"It really is. I'm looking forward to spending more time here with all of you,"
"We're looking forward to it too. Now, let's go grab some food and catch up some more,"
"Sounds perfect. Let's do it."
Within the next hour, Zuri became comfortable with my mom and sister. My grandmother had arrived and she had joined us on the patio. She's 78 and still driving! How? I don't know. She never really got a chance to meet my last girl, so hopefully this will do. Zuri was nice and respectful and she even help my granny set up her new watch. I don't know why she even got all of that! You are 78! She made my grandmother smile and laugh and she even told Zuri her laugh was cute. This is going so great right now.
"Well, Zuri it was certainly nice meeting you. With your cute self," my grandmother complimented.
"It was a pleasure meeting you as well,"
"You're so well-mannered and respectful. Thanks for fixing my watch. My son bought it for me,"
"What you gone do with that smart thing?"
"Wear it," she laughed. "I gotta get going. I am tired,"
"You be careful on that road, mom," my mom said.
"I will baby. Imma call you when I'm at home,"
I helped her out to her car and made sure she pulled off safe. I always walk my grandmother to her car because I enjoy doing it. I try to spend every chance I get wit her because she's getting older and I cherish her. I walked back inside to my family and over heard my mom and Zuri talking.
"Well, Zuri...why do you like my son so much?"
"The sensation he evokes in me is akin to undergoing a profound transformation; it's like becoming a woman reborn. With every gesture, word, and smile, he instills in me a sense of refreshment, as if my soul has been newly awakened to the joys of existence. The warmth of his presence envelops me, making the world seem brighter, more vivid, and imbued with hope. It's a peculiarly uplifting feeling, one that cascades through my veins, infusing me with an unwavering sense of confidence and vitality. Never before have I felt so deeply understood, so thoroughly cherished. His laughter has become my most cherished melody, a symphony that resonates with every fiber of my being. Each day with him unfolds like a newly discovered chapter of happiness, revealing depths of emotion I hadn't known were possible. Perhaps, this overwhelming tide of affection and admiration that sweeps through me is what they call being fully in love. Yes, maybe I am fully in love with him, for he has the extraordinary ability to transform ordinary moments into memories that dance gracefully in the corridors of my heart. To be loved by him is to see the mundane through a lens of wonder, to feel perpetually reborn under the gentle touch of his love," Zuri said to my mother as she expressed her feelings in the deepest way possible.
"That was so beautiful...I have never heard someone give a detailed answer like that describing my baby. I raised him right--well, at least I think so," she laughed. "My son was a free spirit; he was always outside, playing with friends and his cousins, and he would go on adventures and such. He was gonna be something. I don't do disrespectful kids. I made sure he was the most presentable child there was. "
She reminisced about the days when I would come home covered in dirt and grinning from ear to ear after a day of exploring the neighborhood. She fondly recalled the times I would spend hours building forts and playing make-believe with my friends, my imagination running wild. Despite my mischievous antics, she knew that I had a good heart and a kind soul. As she watched me grow, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in the young man I was becoming.
"Sounds like he was very active,"
"Oh, yes! Especially when he got older and the girls were coming from every which way. Lately, before he met you, he's been all alone and...I was wondering what is going on? Is my son lonely? I guess he was just waiting on the right one or whatever, but you came along and...he getting checked in hospitals, he was getting love sick, and he was just down! I'm so glad you came along and knocked my son off his feet. He seems much happier than his last one,"
"What happened?"
"She was just a mean woman. Begged for money, spoiled, rude. She stressed my son out! I did not like that girl!"
"He don't have to worry about that anymore,"
"I know now. It's like you were the spark to everything,"
Hearing this conversation made me fall in love with Zuri more than I already was. The depth of their insight, and the genuine warmth radiating from their words touched a chord deep within me. The undeniable sincerity and vulnerability they shared unveiled new layers of their character, showcasing a profound beauty that was both captivating and inspiring. This deepened connection felt like discovering a hidden treasure, one that made my affection for Zuri grow stronger and more profound with every passing moment.