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  Sherica sat stunned for a minute then smiled " Wel damn! I'm glad I could be of service!" Sherica said laughing." On the real, I thought your ass was on some crazy shit for real when you told me that lie Kita." Sherica said."So I'm really glad you told me about what happened in the past. I mean who hasn't been there before with the one who got away? I know I have. But for me it just got real uncomfortable since Jazzlyn is a longtime friend of mine and I knew for a fact she was dating Tyson...by the way you did fuck up! That white man looks good. Cool as hell too." Sherica said laughing and Kita joined in.

  " He is, Jazzlyn has a good one right there." Kita said " I just wanted to tell you that Sherica because when I thought about it al , I could see how my actions would cause you to want to distance yourself from me. So I wanted to explain myself and apologize. I hope we can still be friends?" Kita said.

  " You know what? Apology accepted girl. I was told by someone recently I was way too hard on people, so I'm working on myself as well. I know it took a lot for you to come say this to me. So let's just start fresh. But for the time being Tyson and Jazzlyn wont be a part of our conversations at al OK? I mean it's only been a few days for you after all.

  So let's make sure operation " forget Tyson" is in ful effect!"Sherica said.

  " Sounds like a plan to me" Kita said. "OK girl I need to get back to work here and then during lunch I need to run a few errands but once again, thanks for reaching out to me about the situation. I appreciate and respect that" Sherica said.

  "Thanks a lot Sherica. Let me get back to work too." Kita said getting up to leave. As soon as she turned the corner she muttered " Fucking bitch!" That bitch is crazy as hel if she thinks I'd let her friend just have my man without a fight? Aint no way that's happening, I just see I need to approach the situation a little differently. Kita thought to herself with a smile.

  Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

  My God! Lunch time didn't come fast enough! Jazzlyn thought to herself. School had been back in session for two weeks and everything was finally starting to get into a nice routine. All the students were great,some she knew from the year before and a few new students were on the scene who she could already tel would be a handful. They kept Jazzlyn on her toes and it made her smile to think not too long ago she was the student.

  Jazzlyn loved her job and the role she knew she played in her students lives. Jazzlyn grabbed her cell phone to call Tyson

  " Hey baby! I just wanted to touch base with you and remind you we're going to my parents for dinner tonight." Jazzlyn said.

  "How could I forget. So is the whole family going to be there?" Tyson asked

  " Yep the whole clan my two brothers, mom and dad and if my brothers invite someone I guess. Don't worry I love you so they'll love you. I'm excited for them to meet you."Jazzlyn said smiling. Tyson laughed.

  " OK,well did you tell them I'm white?" Tyson asked.

  "Umm no. My family isn't like that Tyson! They don't care about things like that;all my family cares about is that I'm happy. Trust me on that."Jazzlyn said confidently.

  " All right baby. We'l see. I'l be home in time to shower and change. I love you. Have a good day." Tyson said and hung up the phone. Here we go. Tyson thought to himself shaking his head. More than a few of his black girlfriends had made the mistake of thinking their families would be OK with the fact he was white and later found out their true feelings on them bringing home a white boy. Tyson shook his head. He was ready for whatever came his way in the situation after al it was nothing new for him. I just hope Jazzlyn doesn't see another side of her family she never knew was there before and she's strong enough to stand the heat Tyson thought.

  Tyson stepped off the elevator of his floor and walked straight over to Jazzlyns door. "

  Hey baby" He said leaning down to kiss her when she opened the door and grabbed him for a hug, kissing his face." I'm so happy to see you! I thought about you all day. I'm lucky I was able to teach those damn kids anything considering my mind was on you all day." Jazzlyn said laughing.

  " I know right. I just wanted to let you know I was home, let me get showered and I'll be ready to go OK." Tyson said leaning down to kiss her one more time.

  Thirty minutes later they met in the hal way." You look good baby,in clothes,out of clothes....." Tyson said starting to laugh" Hush boy!" Jazzlyn said laughing." We do need to hurry up so we can hurry back home." Jazzlyn said grinning. They hopped in Tyson’s car and laughed and talked the entire drive to Jazzlyns parents home. Jazzlyn told Tyson how close she was to her two older brothers Rashad and Antonio. Her mother was a registered nurse who was counting down the days to retirement and her dad was a regional supervisor at the post office. When they pulled into the driveway Jazzlyn was excited to see her brothers cars already there " I'm glad everyone is already here! It seems like forever since I've been around my whole family at once we've al been so busy." Jazzlyn said smiling and reaching for the door.

  " Hold on a second baby" Tyson said " Before we go in,let me say something to you.

  Remember I love you OK? We're in this together. No matter what. I need you to do something for me though. Don't bring up my family please." Tyson asked.

  " What do you mean?" Jazzlyn asked " I mean I don't want you bringing up the fact my family is black. Your family is going to have to like Tyson for Tyson. Not OK "We'l tolerate him because he may have some sense because his family is black." I don't use my family as a crutch or a pass when I meet people Jazzlyn. You either like me or you don't. You wouldn't have even known about my family yet if shit hadn't went down the way that it had between us. When it's time for them to know they will, but for right now they need to meet me, like me and down the line when they meet everyone else it's cool." Tyson said.

  " OK. I stil don't see what the big deal is though!" Jazzlyn said slightly irritated.

  " The big deal is you aint in love with my family you're in love with me. So just respect my wishes when it comes to my family all right?" Tyson said. Jazzlyn looked at him like she wanted to slap the shit out of him.

  " I don't know what you're looking mad for. That's my family and my business . So pick up your lip and stop looking mad." Tyson said getting out of the car. Jazzlyn sat trying to regain her composure for a minute and noticed Tyson was at the passenger door opening it for her. Jazzlyn stepped out of the car and looked at Tyson who smiled at her.

  " Don't be mad with me. Sometimes I do act like an asshole when I'm nervous. But these are just rules I have for myself Jazzlyn that I'm not breaking for anyone. I need you to just respect that even if you don't understand it right now. I've been through situations before that you know nothing about." Tyson said pulling her close." Now let's get on in here so I can meet the family." Tyson said leaning down for a kiss.

  " You're a damn mess!" Jazzlyn said laughing as they walked to the door." I don't know what I'm getting into with you!" Jazzlyn said.

  " You're right but it's too late because you already love me." Tyson said smiling.

  Jazzlyn opened the door and walked into her parents home smiling. No matter how grown she got or where she lived or moved this would always be home. Her family had moved here when she was in the third grade and she knew this house and the neighborhood like the back of her hand. "Everyone is in the kitchen,come on" "

  Mommy!" Jazzlyn called out.

  " Mommy?" Tyson said laughing.

  " Yes, what do you cal your mom?" Jazzlyn asked.

  Tyson looked at Jazzlyn real fast and called out " Mama!" and burst out laughing,

  "Jazzy please don't let me find out I'm real y blacker than you!" Tyson said laughing as they walked into the kitchen where indeed everyone was gathered.

  Jazzlyn went straight to her Dad and gave him a tight hug and went right down the line to her mother and two brothers. " Everyone I want you to meet my new boyfriend Tyson!" Jazzlyn said happily introducing him to each of her family members individual y so happy in fact, that she didn't seem to realize that al the noise and chatter t
hey'd walked into had quieted down...a lot!

  Jazzlyn's mother though, leaned in to give Tyson a hug " It's so nice to finally meet you Tyson! I've heard so many nice things about you. Would you like anything to drink ?

  I just made some sweet tea would you like a glass?"

  " Yes ma’am thank you" Tyson said. Antonio, Jazzlyns oldest brother and notorious for being blunt looked obviously in shock.

  " Wel I aint heard a thing about you!" Antonio said pointing to Tyson " Did you two hear anything about him?" He asked pointing to his father and younger brother Rashad.

  " I aint heard a word! Now what happened to Darien?" Rashad asked.

  Jazzlyn looked at Rashad "Darien and I have been over with, you'd know that if you returned my calls sooner than what you do. We've been over for months now." Jazzlyn said rolling her eyes at her brother.

  "Umph! Wel you should have taken a break and got yourself together before just jumping the fence!"Rashad said

  Tyson watched the exchange taking place between them and thought to himself I see this aint gonna be easy. So aint no sense in me just sitting back on the cool because I see they aint." Actually she didn't have to jump the fence, I live right down the hal from her...I just walked on over." Tyson said staring at Rashad.

  " Wel why don't you al go to the living room and get to know each other a little better while Jazzlyn and I get the table set" Jazzlyn's mother Dionne said " Charles you all head on to the family room we'll call you all shortly." When the guys filed out of the kitchen Jazzlyn turned to her mom.

  " Mommy! Rashadis so rude! What is wrong with him?" Jazzlyn asked.

  " Now baby why didn't you tell us theboy was white? I think it just kind of shocked everyone. Myself included. So don't be so hard on your brothers and your dad, you know how much they love you." Jazzlyns mother said.

  "Wel if that's the case asking about Darien is the last thing that should be on his mind! All he put me through. That's the past though. I'm very happy with Tyson Mommy."

  Jazzlyn said gathering the silverware from the drawer.

  " So son, tell us a little about yourself. I'm sure you can imagine that's my angel right there, my only daughter. So when she says she has a new boyfriend we take it seriously around here. Jazzlyn has never been the type to run around with a whole lot of boys if you know what I mean."Jazzlyns father said.

  " I understand sir. I mean there's not a whole lot to tell really. Like I told your son we're neighbors, so that's how we met each other. I'm a lead accountant at Lawrence

  ,Wheeler and Roe a firm downtown. I grew up right here in San Antonio, went to school in Austin though. My family al lives here sir, not too much to tel actually." Tyson said getting irritated with the way Jazzlyns brothers were looking him but trying his best not to let it get to him and concentrating on her father.

  " Wel I need to ask you a question" Rashad said." I mean is this some type of fetish or some shit?Dipping your fingers in the chocolate sauce? I mean are you experimenting or something? Or are you one of these wiggas?" Rashad asked not bothering to hide the fact he didn't like the thought of him anywhere near his sister.

  Tyson laughed " I don't know what a wigga is...you wanna explain it to me? Also last time I looked I was a man and she was a woman so being that I'm straight it aint much of an experiment you know what I mean?" Tyson said.

  Rashad laughed" I feel what you saying man. We just trying to make sure you good enough for our sister. It aint like y'all getting married or anything,hell you pretty much just her neighbor friend."Rashad said condescendingly.

  " With all due respect" Tyson said " Who was doing the questioning when you al met Darien? Seems to me y'all were slipping when you let him through." Tyson said standing up " It was nice talking but can someone direct me to the bathroom please?"

  " Down the hal and to the left" Rashad pointed. Tyson got up and walked to the bathroom as soon as he got in there he just looked in the mirror and shook his head.

  Aint this some shit? Let me try and calm down because I already said more than I should . Let me at least try to be good for Jazzlyns sake Tyson thought to himself.

  Jazzlyns dad and brothers walked into the dining room.

  " Jazzlyn have you lost your damn mind bringing a white man home?" Antonio said.

  " What are you talking about Antonio? First of al who I date is none of your business.

  You've never let me pick and choose your girlfriends...some of whom have not been black. So you don't have the luxury of choosing mine. Where is Tyson anyway?" Jazzlyn asked looking around.

  " He went to the bathroom. Hope he aint back there trying to be nosy. Mama you want us to go back there and watch him? You know white folks nosy as hell!" Antonio said.

  " We just trying to make sure he aint trying to take advantage of you. I sure hope you aint sleeping with him! White men make white babies you know!" Antonio said

  " Daddy do you hear them! Say something to them please!" Jazzlyn said.

  " Wel baby I can't lie...I'm a bit shocked myself but we'l deal with it another time.

  Let's just eat and get through dinner." Charles said.

  " Oh My God! I can't believe you guys! I'm so embarrassed right now it's not even funny!" Jazzlyn said walking out of the kitchen. Jazzlyn walked down the hall and knocked on the bathroom door." Tyson it's me, let me in."Jazzlyn said. The door opened and Jazzlyn stepped inside and locked the door. " Are you OK? Tyson I am so embarrassed right now I don't know what to even say. " Jazzlyn said looking like she was about to cry." I can't believe my brothers...my dad isn't acting much better either."

  Jazzlyn said. Tyson just leaned against the sink and smiled.

  " Don't worry about it. I just stepped in here for a minute to cool off, your brothers pretty much let me know how they feel and your dad kinda played it cool, but he didn't have to say much since your brothers were saying it for him." Tyson said laughing.

  " It's not funny Tyson don't laugh! They don't have the right to act this way. Just being plain rude? Even if they don't like the fact you're white how can they act like such hypocrites? They didn't raise me to care about what color people were, so I never real y thought too much about what they would say. I honestly think it ran across my mind maybe once and I never gave it another thought." Jazzlyn said tears springing to her eyes.

  "Aww come here now. First off, don't be too mad with them. I been through this before baby." Tyson said "Every black woman except a few I've dated always think the same thing...not my family! Yes baby your family can have some "ways" about them too. But the thing is, I always know it's coming from love. Everything you've told me about them I would expect nothing less from them. Hell a lot of women haven't even grown up with their fathers,so aint no way in hel he's going to be happy about just any man with his daughter. Let alone some random white man. Hell imma keep it one hundred,there's a 99.99% chance my daughters are going to be half black and I'm going to be looking at any white man they bring home sideways too!" Tyson said laughing.

  " Are you serious Tyson?" Jazzlyn said shocked.

  " Hel yeah! He might just be trying to dip his fingers in my little girls chocolate sauce...that's what your brother asked me was I doing by the way" Tyson said laughing"Now don't get me wrong, just because I said that don't mean imma let your brothers especially Antonio, say too much more to me. But imma let as much of it ride as I possibly can. You're worth me doing that for. Before we go back out though, you better kiss me or do something to remind me why I'm putting up with all this. " Tyson said. Jazzlyn wrapped her arms around him tightly.

  "Chocolate sauce? Jesus take the wheel I'm so embarrassed! I promise I'll make it up to you tonight . Anything you want you got it" Jazzlyn said kissing him. Every time Jazzlyn kissed him she felt like she was melting and the way this family dinner was going she was ready to leave right now and make it up to him! Tyson's mouth trailed wet kisses up and down her neck as his hands went up her shirt and found her nipples hard and awaiting his touch" Why the hell you wear
pants today baby?" Tyson whispered rubbing Jazzlyns ass.

  " Shit! Look I know you think I'm nice and everything...and I am, but right now I would fuck the shit out of you. Right in your parents house!" Tyson said.

  " Is everything OK in there? We waiting on you two so we can eat!" Rashad yelled from the other side of the door.

  " We're coming in a second Rashad" Jazzlyn called out." Now I gotta go out here, my dick is hard... they already don't like my ass" Tyson said laughing. " Once they get to know you they'll love you Tyson. They're acting like assholes now but once they know you it'l be OK. Let's go eat." Jazzlyn said.

  " Another thing" Tyson said"You aint had the pleasure of meeting my mama yet,but you better believe my mama throws down in the kitchen, so I sure hope your mom can cook...got me over here dealing with this madness. The food better at least be good!

  Tyson said smiling" Let's go on out."

  Tyson and Jazzlyn walked into the dining room holding hands and smiling. Everyone sat down and Jazzlyns father blessed the table. Afterward everyone started piling food on their plates " Tyson I hope you enjoy the meal." Jazzlyns mother said.

  " I'm sure I will, everything looks and smel s delicious." Jazzlyn's mother had gone al out with a spread of smothered chicken, dressing,candied yams,greens,potato salad,rolls and sweet tea."You went all out, thank you for taking the time to prepare such a nice meal." Tyson said smiling at Jazzlyns mother.

  " Thank you Tyson! It's nice to hear someone around here appreciates the effort. "

  Jazzlyn mom said looking at her two sons who were steady stuffing food down their throats. Tyson put some of everything on his plate and just as he was about to put a forkful of greens in his mouth Rashad said " Those good ol greens right there Tyson! I'l bet you aint used to those...what's that y'all be cooking...green bean casserole?"