“Okay. She probably wants a snack. Her chunky self loves to eat.” Ma giggled.
I walked over to Scottlyn, who was reaching for me. “What’s the matter, Chunks? You want to get out of this stupid thing?” I lifted her from the walker, kissing her cheeks and finding the reason for her being in distress. “Um, Ma! Scottie went potty in her diaper!” I chuckled, looking at her staring at me with the cutest, saddest look on her face, reminding me of her cute-ass mama.
“Okay! I’m coming!”
“I’ll take her.”
I turned to see Jela, Neveah, and my raggedy-ass brother walking into the kitchen. I hadn't spoken to him since that night I’d dropped her off and left for the Westin. His drunken behavior was disgusting to witness, and I hated that I’d left Jela to deal with his wrath. He sent me a text apologizing the next day, but I didn't respond. I wasn't planning on responding either. I felt I deserved a little more than a fucking apology text.
Jela pulled her from my arms, avoiding eye contact with me. I wanted so desperately to look her in the eyes to make sure she was good, but she wouldn't allow me the pleasure to do so. Dame stood texting on two phones, and Jela left the kitchen as quickly as she came.
Neveah walked into my arms, and I received her, kissing her forehead. “What’s up, Nev?”
“Hey, Tucci. Auntie got it smelling good already.”
“Yeah, ya moms will be on her way in a minute with more food.”
“Okay. My dad outside?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I’m going to go say hi to him.” She left the kitchen, leaving Dame and me. I ignored him and went to the patio door to begin removing it.
“Let me holla at you for a minute, bro.”
“I’m busy right now,” I told him.
“It’ll only take a second.”
“Honestly, we ain't even got to talk about it. You’re right. It’s not my place to stand in when it comes to your girl.”
It wasn't, but I was still going to make sure this nigga didn’t keep hurting her. Jela wasn't mine to protect, but since she wasfamily, I felt the need to do what I would do for any of my blood relatives.
“Man, I don’t want to beef with you, Tru. I got enough shit to deal with to be fighting with my brother. I was wrong for telling her that shit, but she pissed me off by not answering my calls.”
I turned to look at him. “Again, I don’t care, and it's not my place.”
“A’ight, fuck it. Are we good?”
“Mmhmm,” I mumbled.
I knew he was fishing for me to hug him and tell him we were good, but in reality, we weren’t. I would never respect a nigga that puts his hands on women. Brother or not, he was dead-ass wrong, and before being tempted to put my hands on him, I would gradually detach myself from him instead.
“Okay. I need to talk to you about some other shit too.”
“It’ll have to wait. Moms wants to talk to us.”
“I don’t know what for,” he said, sucking his teeth like a man-child.
“Does it matter? You got somewhere to be?”
“I always have somewhere to be. Delilah!” he called out to her.
“Nigga, she’s ‘Mama’ to you.”
He chuckled and waved me off. Moms came back inside with Neveah following behind her and looked at us. “Boy, don’t make me put my foot up your butt.” She scolded. “I’m glad you're finally here. Both of you can meet me in the den. Neveah, wash your hands and cut up those greens for me. I’ll be right back.”
“I got you, Auntie.”
