Page 36 of Make Me Remember

“So when is it going to happen?” I asked KJ.

“I don’t know. Just waiting on Big Dawg to give the okay.”

“How’s Cassie holding up with all this shit?” Rylan asked.

“It’s about to drive her insane. Hell, we just got over the fact that we’re fucking related, no matter how distant it is. Shayla is really a thorn in her fucking flesh. I hate seeing her so worn down mentally. It’s stealing her joy, and I don’t like that shit. We leave next weekend for a competition, so hopefully, that will take her mind off things.”

“Where is it?” Rylan asked.

“Clearwater, Minnesota.”

“Shit. I thought I would take Mekayla to see you in action, but naw, nigga, naw.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. We’ll be gone for a minute. That’s best, because Cassie would probably fuck Shayla up herself. Jail is looking more and more appealing versus dealing with that woman’s shit. I have never seen that level of evil toward your own flesh and blood in my life.”

I briefly thought about the things Mekayla told me about her mom. She was trifling, too, but Cassie’s mama took the fucked-up cake.

“You heard any updates on your court date, Jacob?” Rylan asked.

“Naw. I probably need to call Mister Berotte or Missus Taylor to see what’s up. I know with all the shit they dug up, it should have been an easy fix.”

“Yeah, but it could possibly be a long process trying to prove a judge is being blackmailed. It won’t hurt to get an update though.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, congratulations on your new relationship,” KJ said. “She’s nice, man.”

“We all have some sexy ass women. Hendersons don’t settle for anything less,” Christian said.

“Hell naw, we don’t,” I added.

I heard a slight commotion then some yelling. I quickly ran back inside the diner, looking for Mekayla and LaTee. When I found them against a wall, I shielded them from whatever was going on. When I finally could see what was happening, I saw Aunt Tiff dog walking a bitch. Aunt Chas and Jess were in the mix too.

Shit. I noticed Uncle Kenny, Uncle Marcus, and Uncle Storm had their guns drawn. What in the fuck was going on? Uncle WJ, my mama, Aunt Olivia, Aunt Aspen, and Aunt Chrissy were escorting people out of the diner.

I glanced back at Mekayla. “Y’all okay?”

She nodded quickly as she held LaTee close to her. “You stupid bitch!” I heard somebody scream.

When the circle cleared, I realized it was Cassie. I know Shayla’s dumb ass didn’t bring her ass back in here. That woman had to be dumb as a bucket of fucking rocks to come back to this diner. She was a bloody pulp on the floor. Mr. Price wrapped his arms around Cassie. I didn’t even realize her family was here. After what Shayla pulled at the wedding, I knew it would be on sight if Cassie ever saw her again.

Well, I guess there was no point in calling Watchful Eyes at this point. Shayla wasn’t moving. I turned to my women. “Let’s go outside, okay?”

Mekayla nodded. I didn’t know why this shit had to happen today. LaTee looked scared as hell, and Mekayla was trembling. I didn’t know if she was nervous, scared, or wanted a piece of the action. She had a deep frown on her face.

Once we were outside, Aunt Tiff barged out of the doors, huffing and puffing. “She got me fucked up!”

Uncle Ryder grabbed her and held her close until she could calm down. I walked closer to her and asked, “Auntie, what happened? I was outside.”

“That bitch, Shayla, Courtney, her mama, and a few of their cousins came in talking shit to Cassie. They even threatened your lady. I’m sorry, Mekayla. Your first time bringing your baby around the family, and it looks like we just rowdy as fuck.”

Mekayla nodded as Aunt Tiff brought her hands to her face and went to her knees in front of LaTee. Baby girl was hiding behind Mekayla for a moment until she saw Aunt Tiff’s tears. She eased from around Mekayla and gently wiped her cheek.

“Aunt Tiffany is so sorry for scaring you, sweetheart. It’s just… I don’t like bullies, and those people have been bullying us for a long time. It has to stop. I want my family to be free of their foolishness. I really hate you and your mom had to see that.”

“It’s okay, Aunt Tiffany. Are you okay?”

Aunt Tiffany glanced at her swollen hands and closed her eyes briefly. “I’m gonna be just fine, baby. I’m gonna put ice on my hands, and then they’ll be like new. Fighting isn’t always the answer, and I’m sorry I wasn’t a great example of that today.”

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