Free Nobody's Son by Zaria Garrison Page A

wedding reception, we need to set up an appointment with Cedric to taste the menu selections for the reception,” Ellen said.
    Semaj wiped barbeque sauce from his face. “Are you sure we can afford this guy? I know he’s a friend of yours, but I’m worried that even with the discount, it’s going to break the bank.”
    â€œOh, that’s right. I didn’t tell you. Do you remember the little girl you found last year named Cyndi?”
    â€œOf course, I do. Some idiot crackhead tried to sell her for a hit. Rip used his connections to help me find her.”
    Ellen grinned eagerly, “Well, that little girl was Cedric’s sister. After he found out who I am marrying, he insisted that he cater the wedding for us absolutely free.”
    Semaj stared at her in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? He actually said that it’s free?”
    â€œYes. I told him that you love what you do and that you are not in it for the money, but he didn’t care. He said that he wanted to bless us. I couldn’t say no to a blessing.”
    Semaj’s cell phone began vibrating on the table. He checked the caller ID and saw his cousin’s name. “Do you mind if I answer that?” he asked.
    â€œGo ahead, I’m done eating so I’m just going to throw these containers away and straighten up the kitchen.”
    Semaj picked up the phone and walked down the hallway into his bedroom. “Hey, man, what’s up?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s not Christmas or your birthday, but I’m your fairy godfather,” Rip answered. “Your wish is my command.”
    â€œYou’re my what? ”
    Rip began to sing loudly off-key. “ When you wish upon a star, makes no difference what you are, up above the world so high . . .” He suddenly stopped. “Wait a minute, that’s not right,” he said and laughed loudly.
    Semaj began laughing hysterically as well. He didn’t quite understand, but his cousin’s singing was so bad it cracked him up. When the laughing finally died down Semaj decided to ask him again what he was talking about. “So you say you are a fairy and you like to sing too?” he joked.
    â€œI’m not Tinker Bell, but I can grant wishes and with my help, your wish is about to come true.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? What wish?”
    â€œDo you remember when we were in South Carolina last week and you said that you wished you could have a few minutes alone with that jerk Wayne James?”
    Semaj closed his bedroom door to make sure that Ellen would not overhear their conversation. “Of course, I remember. You didn’t call him, did you? I told you that I didn’t want to have anything to do with that guy.”
    â€œMan, you haven’t heard the latest. I talked to Gwen, and she said that he told her that you were a big fat liar. He told her that there was no way you could be his son because his son is dead. He told Gwen you were a con artist after his money. Can you believe that crap?”
    â€œHe said his son is dead? Are you sure about that?”
    â€œOf course, I’m sure. He even showed Gwen some phony newspaper clipping with a fake headline saying that his son died in the fire with his wife. Then he told Gwen not to tell anybody about you or their conversation, but you know me. I coaxed it out of her. As if it wasn’t bad enough that he lied to your face, now he’s telling lies on you behind your back. That’s the last straw. Don’t worry about the details. Just know that your cousin is going to make sure that you get your wish.”
    Suddenly realizing exactly what he meant, Semaj slowly sat down on his bed. “Rip, you are on probation, man. You can’t risk your freedom for me. Whatever you are thinking about, just forget it.”
    â€œI can’t forget it. This guy treated you like gutter trash, and that is unacceptable. Besides, I wouldn’t even have