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JAIYA POV
BRONX, NYC;; SATURDAY, 6:08 P.M.
"What time ya little boyfriend coming?"
I roll my eyes at my Aunt V.
She's my grandmother's sister, and while my grandmother became more quiet after what happened to Kahlil, my Aunt V was still her outspoken self. She's the one that randomly decided to have a cookout at the park. When she called to invite me and my moms, she said something about there being peace and joy after a period of grief.
I think she's right...
Kahlil loved cookouts.
He always showed up last minute with his friends, the loudest person there trying to teach my younger cousins how to get sturdy. I'm gonna miss him taking up most of my camera roll when I go around to take pictures like I usually do.
But I feel like his spirit is still here, because I feel happier than usual... and maybe some of it has to do with kissing Setty last week.
"I already told you-" I tell Aunt V, poking her with the serving spoon playfully, "-Setty is not my boyfriend and I don't know what time they're coming."
"Mhm, that's why you got ya lil cheeks out." She pinches the back of my shorts before pulling at the neck of my crop top, "And this baby sized tee on."
"Auntie!" I yell, poking out my lip when everyone around us starts laughing, "Why you do me like that?"
It's mostly the older people, my grandmother's sisters and brothers, around the tables, putting out the food. My uncle and a few of my other cousins were on the grill, and everyone else was scattered around, talking and taking pictures, the kids were running around chasing each other through the park and playing basketball on the court, and the older cousins were walking back and forth, tryna make sure they were first in line for the food when it was all ready.
