Page 18 of Maceo

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Look at who my family is. Niggas either want to get in where they fit in, or they are afraid of us. And let’s face it. They aren’t beating down my door to have guns pointed in their face while these men threaten their lives if they fuck me over. My daddy and my brothers don’t make this shit easy. Just look.”

She pointed in Mia’s direction. Maceo and the gang had just walked back in with their eyes low. When they spotted Mia talking to Aaron’s nephew, who was at least eight years older than her, Mr. Dillinger coolly walked over and pulled her away, with her protesting the entire time.

“Imagine that happening over and over again,” Jaeda said. “Men don’t wanna fuck with a woman when they have to date their family members too.”

“You got that right.” I took a long sip of my drink before turning to her. “Let me tell you something, girl. You don’t need my help attracting the men you want. A man that is worthy of you will come to you, and they won’t be intimidated by your father or your brothers. They won’t care about your family’s status or wealth. Real men make their own way in this world. They aren’t worried about what’s in the next man’s pockets because they are too busy counting their own coins. My daddy told me a man that can bring thetableto the table, is the only man worth worrying about, sis.”

She giggled. “I like that. I need to see your father more often.”

“Girl, you don’t wanna be around that nutty ass man too long. He’s ignorant as hell sometimes.”

“But you love him.”

“Hell yeah, I do. Ain’t no man like my daddy.”

“I wish I could say that. Don’t get me wrong. I love Stanley Senior. He’s a great father, but he wasn’t the best example of a man, for obvious reasons. Neither is my uncle Blake.”

“Look at it this way. At least they showed you what youdon’twant.”

“This is true.” She sighed. “Thank you, Shar. I see why Salima loves you. You’re a good friend.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Just then, the DJ dropped the beat to “Salt Shaker” by The Ying Yang Twins.

“That’s my shit!” I exclaimed. I downed the rest of my drink and stood to my feet, pulling her along with me. “Come dance with me.”

“I can’t dance, Shar!”

“Oh my God, Jaeda. What am I gonna do with you? Do what your brother does. Stand there and let me throw this ass back at you. You can smack it if you want, I don’t mind.”

She fell into a fit of giggles as I pulled her out to the dance floor. I just wanted to get lit and have some fun, and that was exactly what I was about to do.

I steppedinto my mama’s house, and instantly, my mouth began to water.

If the women in my family did nothing else, they were gonna fuck it up in the kitchen, and I would be right there to fuck up a plate. I rubbed my hands together as I made my way through the living room and to the kitchen. The house was quiet, and I didn’t see anybody. It was the perfect time to sneak a peek into my mama’s pots.

In the kitchen, I washed my hands and went over to the stove. Taking the lid off the simmering pot, I saw that she was making gumbo and rice. Grabbing a bowl from the cabinet, I scooped a small helping of rice in, then topped it with the gumbo. Just as I put the lid back on, I heard footsteps approaching.

I turned to see my stepfather, Alec, standing there grinning and shaking his head.

“You know your mama is gonna kick your ass,” he said. “You better hide to eat that.”

I waved him off as I grabbed a spoon. “Ain’t nobody scared of that lady but you.”

“All right. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Just then, my mama came into the kitchen. She smiled until she saw the bowl in my hand and the spoon to my lips.

“I know you didn’t take your fat ass in my pot!” she yelled, storming over to me.

“I’m hungry, Ma.”

She snatched the bowl from me. “Boy, you ain’t ever been hungry a day in your damn life.”

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