Page 91 of Jaeda

There went the slaps to the back of their heads.

“Watch your mouths!” Mama Allison warned them. “Stanley, you undo everything we did with these boys. They get their filthy mouths from you.”

“I ain’t even do nothing!” my father protested. He looked down at Sydney. “Baby girl, you see how your grandma does me? Everything is my fault. Pop Pop can’t catch a break.” He turned to me. “Your brothers are right, though. Ain’t no babies until you get a ring and walk down the aisle. I told that boy that.”

“Oh my God . . .” I groaned. “I’m not trying to have a baby?—”

“Wait a minute,” Mama Allison said. “You have a boyfriend?”

I blushed. “I do.”

“And your baldheaded ass mama didn’t tell me? Wait till I talk to her again.” She turned to my brothers. “Y’all better not run him off.”

Smoke pointed at me. “She tried to off him in the beginning, Ma. Had us snatch that man up.”

Mama Allison gasped. “Not my sweet Jaeda! I’m sure she had a reason.”

Deuce frowned. “Oh, she has to have a reason, but when we do it?—”

“Shut up, Stanley.” She turned back to me. “Let me see a picture, baby.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and went to my photos to show her Quaid.

“Ooo, he’s handsome. Look at you two! You look so happy, Jae.”

“I am happy, Mama Allison. He’s a great guy, even with your son and his brothers constantly trying to punk him.”

“We cool with the nigga now,” Smoke defended. “Let that hurt go, sis.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “You’ll have to meet him soon,” I said to Mama Allison.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait.”

We sat with my brother and Romi for a little bit longer until it was time to switch out with the next group. Back in the waiting room, the heap of family had taken over the space. One thing about us, we showed up for each other. Of course, we didn’t miss the stares from other people. When there was a room full of Dillingers, anything could happen.

We would be chill today, though.

Today was a celebration of life.

It was Saturday, and Jaeda was meeting my parents. I was more than a little nervous about that. Even though my mom and I were back on speaking terms, I never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. She never held back when she had something to ask or say. This could go very right or very wrong.

“I think you’re more nervous than I am,” Jaeda said as we pulled into the yard.

“I damn sure am.”

“Baby, it can’t be any worse than meeting my family.”

“Maybe not, but your mom and stepdad balance out your dad and brothers. There’s nobody to balance these folks out.”

She laughed as I opened my door and climbed out of my car. Rounding the passenger side, I opened it to retrieve her. She slipped her hand into my palm and stepped out.

“Everything will be okay,” she said, grabbing my other hand. “I’ve got your back, and I know you have mine.”

“I do.”

Leaning in, I gave her soft lips several pecks. She smiled up at me, looking as innocent as could be.

“Even if it sours, I have something to make you feel better later.”

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