Page 14 of Rocky

I slipped off my shoes and walked past Rue into the family room and sat on the couch. I pulled out my phone, looked through my restaurant apps, and decided to order pizza.

“What do you like on your pizza?” I shouted over my shoulder.

“You can’t be serious right now.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more serious about anything in my life. Now, what do you like on your pizza?”

“I can’t believehe forced his way in here and made himself comfortable. He must be crazy,” I muttered to my sisters.

My sisters and I were gathered in the kitchen discussing my uninvited guest. I seemed to be the only one who had a problem with him popping up.

“I wouldn’t say he used force, but you must not think he’s too crazy because he’s currently playing video games with Briar,” Rosemary said.

“And we know you don’t play about your son, so what’s really going on here?” Daisy questioned.

“What was I supposed to do? Briar was so excited when he saw him. He almost tackled the man.”

“You were supposed to do exactly what you did. We all know Rocky is not a threat and won’t harm a hair on Briar’s head,” Rosemary reasoned. “However, if you had the good sense the Lord gave you, you’d let him beat that pussy up.”

“Rose, why are you like this? Every other time you open your mouth, you say something nasty or inappropriate. Now is not the time for that. I need help figuring out how to get?—”

“Pizza’s here!” Rocky announced when he entered the kitchen. “Oh, my brother is about to bring RJ over to hang out with us. I hope y’all don’t mind.”

“Who is your brother and RJ?” Sage asked.

“And are they as fine as you?” Rosemary questioned.

Rocky chuckled. “Russell is my brother, and RJ is our seven-year-old nephew. I think we have pretty strong genes, so you might notice a resemblance.”

“RJ is too young for me…Tell me more about Russell,” she said with a flirtatious smile.

“You can ask him whatever you want to know when he gets here. Where should I put the pizzas?”

I watched as my five sisters led him to the dining room. It was crazy how comfortable they were with this stranger in our house. The doorbell rang, and since everyone was occupied, I answered it.

“How can I help you?” I asked as I stood behind the screen door.

“Hey, umm, I’m looking for Rocky.”

“Are you Russell?”

“Yeah, and this is RJ, our nephew.”

“You’re Briar’s mom. I’ve seen you in my class,” RJ said.

“You sure have.”

“Can we come in?” he asked, trying to peek inside.

“Of course.” I stepped aside, and Russell opened the screen door, allowing RJ to enter first.

They took off their shoes and followed me to the family room.

“Briar, look who’s here.”

He was engrossed in the video game and didn’t turn around right away. When he did, he dropped the controller and ran toward us.

“RJ, you’re here!” He took his hand, pulled him to the spot he’d just left in front of the TV, and gave him the other game controller.

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