Page 101 of Steel

I shook my head as I sat on the floor between her legs. “I’m raising a snitch.”

She laughed. “She’s hopeful. I mean, I get it. Baby girl is trying to secure her family. What about you?”

I looked up at her. “I still love her, Ma.”

“Naw, really?” She sarcastically rolled her eyes. “I know that. I’m not blind, Son. You could very well pick Nayelli up and spend time with her, but you keep taking your ass over to the house. I’m sure you’ve been watching Neha like a hawk. You know you love them thick, and baby is thick.”

I smirked. She was right about that. As mad as I was, I sat up in the house partially because of spite, and partially because the moment I saw her outside that school, my heart didn’t know the difference in the eighteen-year-old me and the twenty-nine-year-old me.

“I wanna give things a chance,” I admitted.

“You positive?”

I nodded. “Even after all these years, . . . even after everything that happened, she still feels like home to me, Ma. I know we were kids, but the moment I met her, I knew I found my soulmate.”

She smiled. “Life can throw you curveballs, baby. Sometimes it isn’t fair, and the Devil is a busy man, as your grandmother would say. If you believe she’s your forever, work it out. Have open and honest communication. Don’t jump to conclusions or assume anything. Talk to each other and keep other people out of your business. The worst thing you can do is involve outsiders. Protect her from any and everything. You know that husband of mine? As quiet and reserved as he is, Hershel would protect me, you, and your siblings in the face of any danger. I confidently walk around with my head held high because I know how that man is coming behind me.”

I smirked. “You know Pops is coming like that behind you too.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know. I give him hell, but I’ll forever have love for Senior for how he’s taken care of me and ourchildren. I pray he finds himself a good woman one of these days.”

I laughed. “Now you know he still wants Mama Steph.”

She shook her head. “Oh, I know it. Speaking of which, your aunts said they are gonna kick your ass for not introducing them to Nayelli. Make it happen.”

“I hear you. I’m picking her up from school today, so I’ll stop by.”

“No need. They are coming over for dinner, so swing on back by after you grab her.”

“I got you.” I looked down at my watch. “Since y’all are demanding my time, I guess you won’t mind keeping your grandson while I get his sister?”

“Nope. Grab Jaiden too.”

“I will. It’s crazy how my boy is the same age as his auntie. You know what that tells me?”

“What?”

“You and Hershel need to stop being grown.”

She slapped the back of my head. “Get your ass out of my face, Kerrion.”

“Mama, no hit!” Emmy fussed, wagging her finger at her. “Mama nice.” She came over and grabbed my head. “Bubba otay?”

“I’m fine, Emmy,” I said, picking her up and kissing her cheeks. I looked back at my mama with an evil grin. “I know who will protect me.”

“Get out of my house, boy.”

I laughed as I placed Emmy back on her feet and stood to mine. One thing was for sure: None of my sisters, big or little, played about me.

It was abouteight when I got Nayelli home from dinner with my aunts. Mama Steph and Mama Allison fawned all over her. They showered her with love and compliments of how beautiful and respectful my baby was. Then they turned on me with those damn dish towels the moment she was out of the room.

“How dare you not introduce us to our niece?” Mama Steph snapped.

“Ma, she was at Sunday dinner last week. You fell back from showing up so much after you got married.”

She scoffed. “Out of respect for my husband. You and your brothers have shown up to my house and eat my food several times a week for years, but you can’t show up for me to meet my niece? Don’t make me get my belt.”

“Right,” Mama Allison agreed. “You ain’t too grown to get your ass whupped.”