“Because she doesn’t understand why everybody gets to be happy but her. And those are her words and not mine.”
Empress shook her head. “Let her grandmother tend to her.”
“Grams said she ain’t dealing with that shit.”
“Wait, she didn’t?” I was shocked because for as long as I could remember Grandma made excuses for Fiona and babied her big grown ass.
“Yep.”
“Where is Rev?” Empress asked.
“Over there putting the moves on y’all stepmother’s niece.”
“Which one? Hopefully not the young one.” Empress twisted up her face.
“Nah, I think her name is Asha or some shit like that.”
Empress nodded.
“What’s wrong with the young one?” Irish had to ask.
My sister shook her head. “I tried to like her, but something about her vibe is off. Like she got some mean ass ways about her. Plus the shit that happened at the bar. She seemed to enjoy that show too much for me. She was cool when I used to do her hair, but she got a way about her.”
I nodded, remembering her telling me that.
“What happ—” Irish started to ask, but I looked up and our father was approaching.
“Talk about it later.” I just knew he was about to ask one of us to go out there and see about Fiona. Wouldn’t be me though because I couldn’t stomach her grown whiny ass.
“No,” Empress stopped our father before he could even ask.
A small chuckle escaped his lips. “Empress.”
“It’s your wedding day Pops, enjoy it. Stop letting her grown ass rain on your parade. If she wants to sit her big back ass out there crying, then let her. When she realizes that nobody is coming to commiserate with her, those tears will dry, and she’ll be back.” Irish didn’t hold back.
My father looked at us for a moment, before nodding. “I just don’t want he?—”
“She’ll be fine. I’ma go ask Rev to make sure she gets to her room,” Irish promised. He talked all that big shit, but there hewas still being helpful. I couldn’t blame him though, because as brute as he was, he was pure love. My brother had a heart of straight gold.
That moment was over after a while and before I knew it, I was sitting at the table watching my father dance with his new bride. Zero and my sister had long ago dipped off with what I perceived as no intention of coming back. They were cute too, all engrossed in one another like they were the only two people in the room. I don’t know who Empress thought she was fooling when she said what she and Zero had was just sex at first, because that was bullshit from the highest of bullshit mountains.
My eyes left my father and landed on Malik who was currently dancing with my grandmother. At first, he and I were just sitting here talking, then after she made me introduce him to her, she made him get up and dance with her. I guess that was her way of getting alone to pick him.
“You know you can’t slow a nigga like him down, no matter what.” The small feminine voice near made me look up.
When I looked up, I was greeted by Zero’s younger sister. My sister was right, her vibe was off. She seemed like the sinister type. “Excuse me.”
“I see how cozy you are with Malik, and I just thought I’d remind you. He gets around. He’s the type to have a plethora of pussy not too far away.”
“Hmm.”
“Don’t get too comfortable with that one, boo.” Then like the villain in a scary movie she was gone walking off toward the exit.
What the fuck was her problem?
“Don’t listen to my sister. She’s just miserable and hates to see anybody that isn’t her, happy.” I looked up and Asha, Zero’s other sister, was there.
A small chortle escaped my lips. “We all have a sibling like that, don’t we?”
