Page 32 of Through the Fire

Tossing her head back, she said, “I was about to feed this one to you. I don’t want any.”

Jayce’s eyes ballooned as he chimed in on the conversation. “What? Island doesn’t want any cake. Check her forehead, Heim. She must be coming down with a fever or something.”

“Ha, ha!” Island mocked him then frowned.

She went to scoop some of the cake then stopped.

“Actually, just take this. I can’t do it.”

She handed me the cake and hopped out my lap so fast you’d think I was contagious or something.

Jayce eyed me suspiciously. “What’s her problem?”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure, but she’s been a little irritable lately.”

“Humph. Must be almost that time of the month. I notice that’s when they get the crankiest.”

I nodded my head, thinking about his words. Now that he’d mentioned it, it was almost time for her cycle to begin. Island loathed that time of the month, and her mood swings could get scary sometimes. For now, I would keep my distance to give her some space to cool off. Even when she was cranky, she couldn’t stay away from me for long.

“Shyla looks so happy,” Jayce said while we watched the kids playing in the backyard. We were at their parents’ house enjoying the big, open field they had in the backyard. They were talking about having a pool built back here now that Shyla was in their lives. Things were going so well I think we all knew my relationship with Island would be for a lifetime.

I nodded. “I know. It’s because she is.”

“Has she seen her mother?”

I shook my head. “Nah, not in a while. Last I heard, she moved to Detroit with some nigga she met.”

I couldn’t even pretend to be bothered by the distance. It was best for all of us. Island was more of a mother to Shy Shy in a short amount of time than Kianni had been in her entire life.

“Good riddance. That bitch was going to make me catch a case.”

Jayce chuckled. “My sister too. Know she don’t play about y’all.”

I smiled because it was true. I think Kianna only tried Island once more before she realized she wasn’t the one to be fucked with.

“Y’all want some drinks?” Mama Chloe asked, walking up to us. She had a slight wobble that both Jayce and me noticed.

He groaned. “I don’t think you need anymore.”

She giggled innocently. “You might be right, and that’s why I asked if y’all want any.”

She nearly fell, causing Jayce to hop up.

“Lord, lady. Just go sit down. I can fix my own drink.” He looked around the yard. “Where is your damn husband? This is his responsibility.”

She waved him off. “He passed out an hour ago. My mojitos ain’t no ho.”

I chuckled as they walked off fussing per usual. I loved Island’s parents. They were real chill and laid back. They welcomed me and Shyla with open arms as their son-in-law and not just Jayce’s friend. We’d got drunk over here plenty nights fooling around with Mama Chloe and her drinks.

I glanced toward the house, realizing Island still hadn’t come back outside. The sliding door came open, and I thought it might be her, but it was my other baby.

“Smiley,” I called to get her attention.

She was already racing back toward her friends.

When she walked over, I asked, “Where you coming from?”

“The bathroom. Mama Island is sick, so I went in Grammy and Gramps room.”

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