Page 79 of 10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace

“Hey Nanny, how are you?”

“Stevie, I know your cousin acts like her bitch of a mother… but I thought you were different. I haven’t heard from you at all, and then your father is telling me that you’re the reason he can’t come visit me.”

I looked at the phone confused. “I have nothing to do with what Raye does with himself, Nanny.”

“Raye?” she choked.

“Yes. I haven’t called him dad in quite some time. He’s Raye.” I felt the back of my head hurting because of this conversation.

She scoffed so loud that it could be mistaken for her spitting on the phone. “He’s your father, little girl. A damn good one, and he has done everything for you and your mother… do you understand me?”

“Yes.” Although I didn’t understand, it was better to keep the peace than to argue with her about something I knew more about.

Nanny only knew what her sons told her, and she thought they were both the perfect angels. They couldn’t do no wrong in her eyes, and she stood ten toes on that shit. “Good… don’t let that damn Skyler rub off on you. Went downhill when she went and had a baby as a baby her damn self.”

“Skyler is in college and works with the district attorney of New York… the first woman district attorney might I add. I think she’s doing pretty well for someone who had a baby young.”

“Stevie, baby, we know you’re not the best at thinking. Raye always said that you took a bit too long to speak or walk.” She chuckled, trying to make the insult seem light. “You got me getting off topic. I’m running low on groceries, so I need you to come by when you can to get this list and get me a few things to hold me over.”

“Um, Nanny, I don’t live as close anymore so I’m not sure I can come all the way over there.” I fidgeted with my feet on the stool.

She huffed into the phone. “Well, figure it out. I need some groceries, and my pain has been a lot. I would call your cousin, but she never answers the phone with her evil ass.”

“Skyler isn’t evil.”

“Let you tell it… when can I expect you?”

I looked at the time on my phone. “I can come by tomorrow.” I lied.

“Alright. See you then.”

I ended the call and slumped my shoulders forward feeling the stress of talking to that woman. It was a toxic relationship that we had, and I was smart enough to know that much. Skyler couldn’t understand why I continued to keep in contact with her with how hateful she was toward our mothers.

When my mother passed, and my father went on about his life, I wanted that feeling of family, even if it meant runningerrands for her, and never hearing thank you. I would sit and listen to her complain about everything and everyone.

Bitter.

“Old bitch not getting groceries from you.” I spun around in my stool, and Menace was leaned in the doorway with Greene standing beside him.

“Were you both standing there the entire time?”

“Jeffie emailed some options for venues and Yellow was going to get your opinion. I came in here to see you.”

I smiled, pushing a loose curl behind my ear. “Do I have a say in this wedding, Groomzilla?”

“Always.”

Greene flipped opened her iPad and had her pen ready. “Let’s get married at city hall.”

“You don’t get a say in the wedding.”

“Maverick,” I laughed.

“City Hall when I can give you the most beautiful wedding in the world. What kind of shit is that… that shit ain’t normal.”

I folded my arms. “This entire thing isn’t normal. We’re not normal, Maverick… why plan this crazy wedding when half the people I don’t know, and the half you do know, you don’t wanna talk to.”

He was considering what I was saying because he didn’t have a rebuttal. I was slowly learning the many dealings of Menace Caselli. “He’s listening,” Greene answered for him.

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