Hearth and Hugs

I ain’t stepped in Mama’s kitchen in over two years. Last time, words flew, doors slammed, and pride stacked itself between us like bricks. But today, somethin’ pulled me back. Maybe it was the smell of cornbread on the street, maybe it was just the pull of family—that invisible line even distance don’t break.

I opened the door slow. Warmth hit me first, then the smell of spices and fried okra. Taye was there, apron dusted with flour, hummin’ to himself, like he never stopped. I froze a second, nerves knotting, but then he looked up. “Lexi,” he said, voice soft, steady. Ain’t anger, ain’t blame. Just recognition.

I shrugged, tried to play it cool, but he stepped forward anyway. We hugged. Long. Tight. Ain’t no kissing, ain’t no words. Just that weight and warmth sayin’, I still got you. Studies show hugging releases oxytocin, which helps reduce stress and reinforce bonds (Uvnas-Moberg et al.). I felt it hit my chest deep.

We sat at Mama’s old table, peelers and knives in hand, breakin’ down yams, talkin’ slow at first. Memories came up—old jokes, arguments we laughed at now, things we never said out loud. Unity don’t happen by force. It grow when you work together, when you touch the same surface, when you share the same space and don’t rush to judgment.

“I ain’t know if we ever gon’ get here again,” Taye said, voice low.

I smiled, noddin’. “Ain’t nobody perfect. We just showin’ up now, that enough.”

Mama peeked in, eyes soft. “Bout time y’all remembered how to love each other.” And she was right. Love ain’t fireworks or fancy words. It’s arms wrapped, shared labor, patience, forgiveness, and sometimes, just sittin’ in silence together.

By the time we finished, dishes cleaned, kitchen smelled like victory and fried okra, hearts lighter, I realized: family don’t always look the same. Some drift. Some return. But when you show up, when you hug, when you work together, love is still there, strong and steady, waitin’ for you to recognize it.

Works Cited (MLA)

Uvnas-Moberg, Kerstin, et al. “The Psychobiology of Oxytocin.” Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, vol. 30, no. 4, 2009, pp. 352–378.