Page 39 of Make Me Remember

I bit my bottom lip. He could say that shit again. LaTee frowned slightly then said, “You must be the mean one my mama told me about.”

He frowned and stared at me as I tried to stifle my giggle. He stooped a bit and grabbed her hand. “Let me school you on something, lil bit. People call me mean because I say what I mean and mean what I say. I’m honest. If they don’t want the truth, even if it hurts their feelings, they better not ever be around me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Okay. Let me give you an example. Your mother is also Jacob’s therapist. She was late for his appointment one time.”

LaTee glanced over at me as I slowly shook my head. She gave her attention back to him. “I was here when she got here and told her when I opened the door that she was late. She got all defensive and got an attitude because I spoke my mind. Then she left early!”

LaTee giggled at his animated face as he talked. He glanced at me as he stood up straight. I stood as well and walked over to him. “I’m sorry for being salty with you.”

“It’s okay. I learned you aren’t all that playful, so I’ll let you slide this time. Bet not be a next time though.”

I stared up at him and when I saw the smirk, I knew it was one of those joking moments. I slowly shook my head and said, “There won’t be, Mister Henderson.”

“Mister Henderson?” He slid his hand over his mouth. “So Jasper gets Uncle Jasper, but I get Mister Henderson?”

“Well, Uncle Jasper called me his niece. You haven’t.”

He slowly shook his head. “I swear, you gon’ be like a thorn in my flesh, huh? You better be glad I look at Jacob like my own son. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get away with that shit. I have a feeling we gon’ be like Martin and Pam around here.”

I chuckled and hugged him around his waist. When he leaned over and kissed the top of my head, I got a little overwhelmed. Being around so many positive men was new to me. Every man I’d ever been around had abused me in some way. This was so different but a welcomed difference.

“Aww, Mama, he’s not so mean,” LaTee said.

“No, he’s not. I guess it was a misunderstanding.”

“Yeah, but don’t get too comfortable because that nigga have his moments,” Jacob said.

He pushed Jacob in the head and said, “I just wanted to come check on y’all. Those people’s days are coming to an end.” He glanced down at LaTee and said, “We don’t have to worry about Shayla no more. Y’all asses rowdy as hell. Shy and Sidney ain’t gon’ ever get a break fooling with y’all. They are talking to Tiff and your sister now.”

Shayla was dead. This was some crazy shit. Three people in their family were dead, one by suicide and two by murder, because of them trying to come for the Hendersons. After Jacob killed that woman’s brother, I would have been done with fucking with them. They were like the people in a fighting scene in a movie. Like, how many asses you need to see somebody whup before you started believing they ain’t to be fucked with?

“How’s Cassie?”

“Honestly, I think she’s relieved. After the whole wedding incident, I think she just wanted her gone. I been wanted her ass out of here ever since that first stunt she pulled when the girls snatched her wig off.”

“I can’t say that I blame her. I just didn’t know if she was feeling sensitive about it now. I’m surprised they didn’t arrest Aunt Tiff.”

“The rodeo queen of Texas? They didn’t lay a finger on her hotheaded ass. You ain’t shit compared to her.”

Jacob laughed sarcastically as I sat watching their interaction.

“Well, I’m not gon’ take up too much of your time. Pam over there simmering now.”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled as he turned to head out. Suddenly, he stopped and said, “And call me Uncle Mayor like everybody else around here. Jacob’s sprung ass ain’t letting you go nowhere. Welcome to the family.”

He gave LaTee a wink then headed out. Jacob closed the door behind him as my phone rang. When I saw my mama’s number, I silenced it. I would call her back when I was on my way home. She probably didn’t want much of anything anyway. Jacob sat next to me, and I leaned against him as LaTee smiled.

“So Mama, when are we moving?” LaTee asked.

I looked up at Jacob to see him staring down at me, as if saying it was my decision. Looking back at LaTee, I said, “I don’t know, baby. I have to fulfill the terms of my lease agreement. So maybe after that.”

“Okay.”

She sat back on the couch and lay against me. It was like we were a family already. Jacob started flipping channels, looking for something to watch. My phone started ringing again. I pulled it from my pocket to see it was my mama again. I decided to answer this time. “Hello?”

“Hi, baby. Are you at home?”

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