Page 41 of Maceo

“Working late.” She glanced over at me as she seasoned whatever she was cooking. “He told me you have a new job.”

“Yeah… I do.”

“Baby. You know I love Maceo, and I don’t judge, ’cause look where I came from. But your father and I worked hard to provide you and your siblings a life where you didn’t have to fall into some bullshit to make ends meet.”

“I know, Mommy.”

“Then what the hell are you doing working for the Dillingers? I know they have legal ventures, but I also know the other side of them that ain’t so clean. You don’t have that much power… especially as a nigga, without getting your hands dirty. I don’t want you doing that.”

“I’m not doing anything. I’m just a driver.”

“A driver for what?”

I sighed. “The people they help. I drive them to safety and get them settled in. That’s it.”

“And just what are they in danger of, Sharina?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss.”

“You’re not at liberty to discuss? Okay. Watch me break my foot off in yours and Maceo’s ass. Where is he?”

“Out of town. He should be home tomorrow.”

“Isn’t that convenient. When he gets back, I want to see him, and tell him I’m not fucking around. He better have his big ass here the second he touches down in this city. Don’t make me have to drive over to that compound to come see about him.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She capped her seasonings and placed them back before turning to me and opening her arms. I didn’t hesitate to go into them. This was a normal routine anytime she fussed at one of us. She would always follow it up with love. We knew not to take her words lightly, but we always appreciated the love.

“Now, how is my niece and my great niece?” she asked, referring to Salima and Darlyn.

“Both are good. Darlyn is getting so big! I love that they are right next door now.”

“Must be nice. Tell my niece if she doesn’t bring her and that baby to see me, I’ma get in her ass too.”

“Let me call her.”

I pulled out my phone to FaceTime Salima. The call rang twice before she picked up.

“Hey, boo.”

“Hey, wifey. Where is my baby?”

“Damn, Shar! You are just like my mama. She doesn’t even call for me anymore. It’s always about Darlyn.”

“Girl, put the baby on the damn phone,” my mama said, snatching it from me.

“Hey, Auntie, with your fine self.”

My mother blushed, then went right back to her shit talking. “The baby, Salima.”

“See, you’re lucky I respect my elders ’cause I would have hung up on you.”

“You ain’t too old for me to tag that ass.”

They shared a laugh as I heard Salima moving around. She got on the floor to where Darlyn was enjoying tummy time.

“Hi, precious!” my mother sang. Darlyn looked toward the phone and grinned as she reached for it. “Oh, Salima, she’s beautiful. Look at those cheeks. She reminds me so much of you when you were a baby. Just round.”

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