A House Is Not a Home by James Earl Hardy

and trauma). In fact, Destiny will probably start calling her “Mama”; that’s the only missing ingredient in their relationship right now.
    One thing’s for sure, though—she spoils her like a grandmother. She knows Mitchell doesn’t like Destiny to eat a lot of candy, but she will always try to sneak her a treat.
    Mitchell noticed the colorful wrapper she placed into Destiny’s hand as she put her down. “Mom,” he huffed.
    â€œOne piece of candy ain’t gonna hurt her. Besides, it’s sugarless.”
    He caved. “Okay.”
    Since she didn’t know the difference, Destiny was more than pleased with it. “Thank you.” She popped it into her mouth.
    â€œYou’re more than welcome. You ready to go?”
    â€œUh-huh.” Her little clutch bag rested on her back, having been looped under her right shoulder. She took her grandmother’s right hand.
    â€œOkay. We better hit the road. It’ll be rush hour soon.”
    â€œYou mean slow hour, Gran’ma. The cars don’t rush.”
    â€œRight. Slow hour. And we don’t want to be stuck in it, do we?”
    â€œNo!” She turned to her father, wearing a rather serious look. “Daddy, don’t forget.”
    â€œI won’t forget,” Mitchell promised.
    â€œForget what?” asked Grandma.
    â€œI made Uncle Raheim a birthday card,” explained Destiny. “Daddy’s gonna give it to him for me.”
    â€œAh.” She studied her son. “I don’t think your daddy will forget.” She knew that Errol wasn’t the only one looking forward to Raheim’s return tomorrow evening.
    Grandma leaned forward, kissing Mitchell on the lips. “See you Sunday, darling.”
    Destiny followed her grandmother’s lead. “See you Sunday, Daddy.”
    Mitchell leaned down and accepted her kiss, too. “You be a jood girl.”
    â€œI will.”
    â€œLove you both,” Mitchell called out as they headed out the gate.
    They turned. “And we love you, too, times two!” they both sang, dissolving into giggles like the Powerpuff Girls.
    Destiny hadn’t been gone five minutes when Earth, Wind & Fire showed up.
    Mitchell hears them come in before he sees them. Every Friday after their lab sessions at Brooklyn Tech (today they were twenty minutes early), they invade the house. They’ll drop their book bags in a chair or on the floor, and march in step into the kitchen.
    They met on their first day at Tech. They were the only Black males in their homeroom freshman class—and that was (and still is) the only thing they have in common . . .
    While Errol is roughly six feet, Sidney is just over five feet and Monroe falls somewhere in between.
    While Errol has a swimmer’s build, Sidney is a teenage bodybuilding champ and Monroe is chunky.
    While Errol loves baseball, Sidney’s favorite pastime is (of course) weight lifting, and Monroe’s, football.
    While Errol is a space nut, Sidney is fascinated with forensics and Monroe is attracted to architecture.
    While Errol is a hip-hop soul kinda guy, Sid is a jazz freak (his father plays drums for the likes of Cassandra Wilson and Norman Brown) and Monroe a reggae/dance-hall fan.
    While Errol is personable yet unassuming, Sidney is very quiet (unless he is ribbing Monroe) and Monroe very loud.
    And they come in different shades (Errol being ebony-hued, Sidney a light caramel, and Monroe a dark brown) and wear different ’dos (twists, buzz cut, and an Afro, respectively). With so much to separate them, it’s no wonder they aren’t always at one another’s throat. But Mitchell has yet to see them in an argument in the almost three years they’ve known one another. Each one’s distinct personality seems to provide the balance the others need.
    Which is why Mitchell nicknamed them Earth (Errol), Wind (Sidney), and Fire (Monroe). Errol is the sky,