“That’s what I heard.” She pursed her lips. “Your daddy looked just like you and Meco back in the day. Look at the women who throw themselves at y’all, now times that by one hundred. That’s how much attention your father got.”
“But did he indulge?”
“I believe so.”
Lo pulled at the hairs on his beard. “So, she think you were jealous because of Dax?”
“Yeah, she made her entire identity about him. He was getting money, and he upgraded her lifestyle. When Ada got with him, she started distancing herself from everybody.”
Lo wasn’t sure if he believed that. Growing up, the family was always at their home whether cooking or partying. From what he could recall, his parents had always been generous with their family.
“I remember everybody being around all the time. How did she distance herself?”
“She moved out the house right away. When they first got together, she was always up his ass. We couldn’t get to her for shit. She abandoned everyone, including me. We had been best friends. I never thought anyone could come between us until Dax came along. Your mama is funny acting and because she wasn’t doing what she was supposed to do as a mother, she wants to make those bogus claims about me being jealous.”
Maddy’s rant immediately made him think about his relationship with Meco. He too felt Lo had abandoned him. He’d distanced himself making his twin feel as though he didn’t want him in his life. Again, that hadn’t been the case, but Lo could see why Meco felt that way. He was so severely misunderstood but didn’t know how to express himself in a healthy way.
Lo heard the front door shut and seconds later, Durand entered the room. He smiled as soon as he spotted Lo, approaching him with his hand out.
“Nigga, where you been?” They slapped fives. “I been trying to show you my new shop. It’s right off Landron Road.”
Maddy smiled. “He finally got his auto body shop like he’s been wanting. I’m proud of you, son.”
Lo noticed the beaming smile on Durand’s face. He’d finally done something that he had been talking about. Although Maddy had to help him finance it, he hoped he didn’t drop the ball and move onto his next get-rich-quick scheme.
“That’s love, bro. I’ma have to stop by soon.”
“Hell yeah.” Durand gloated. “It’s laid out and everything. I got this one bit—I mean one girl to do my social media marketing. So, a nigga ‘bout to be out here getting money for real.” He took a seat at the table. “What was y’all talking about?”
Maddy wiped her hand with a towel. “Talking about how Ada came by and told all those damn lies that day. I still want to whoop her ass for bringing a gun to my house.”
Durand snorted before motioning his hand dismissively. “Her bitter old ass. I swear I wish I was there ‘cause I would’ve laid her ass out.”
Maddy gave him a knowing look. “Normally, I would kick your ass for cursing, but I’ll let it slide because she came at you crazy that day too.”
“Yeah, talking ‘bout I’m weak. No, that bitch is weak. Her and that fucking vegetable husband of hers.”
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Lo warned.
Rage had surfaced without a head’s up as Lo glowered at Durand. When he was younger, Maddy would talk shit about his parents, and he couldn’t interfere. One because he was considered a child and two because she had taken him in. Therefore, he felt he shouldn’t bite the hand that fed him. Now, as a grown man, Lo refused to allow her and Durand to speak ill of his parents.
“I’m not watching shit when she came over here threatening to kill my mama. Nigga, you better remember whose side you on.”
The sinister side of Lo had step to the front, ready to show his ass.
“Oh, yeah? Why don't you remind me, my nigga.” He snorted.
“Okay, now.” Maddy interrupted the pissing contest. “We’re not about to get into it about this. Now, Lo, you have to be fair. Ada came over talking about me and my child like a dog. You can’t be mad because he feels the way he feels.”
“Exactly,” Durand instigated. “She talked all types of shit about me and now when I drag that dead-beat bitch, you wanna get sensitive.”
Lo wasn’t a talker. He didn’t argue and if he did, it was guaranteed to end in bloodshed. Whether it was from his instruments or his fist, blood was certain to be drawn. In a quickgesture, Lo grabbed Durand by the collar of his shirt and pulled him across the table.
“Lo, stop!” Maddy shouted as everything on the surface crashed against the floor.
Pinning Durand to the ground, he pressed his forearm into his neck.
“You talking shit to me like I won’t end your soft ass!”
