Page 149 of Don Caselli

We both laughed and squeezed each other. “Your love is coming, Greene.”

“I’ve been talking out loud about it, so it better be coming.” She pinched me and kissed my cheek.

Zoya walked over toward me and smiled, fixing my loose strand. “Welcome to the family, Navy. Another sister-in-law, Jesus… Lord, I am asking you.”

“Funny. I have a meeting with Goon next week,” Menace snickered to himself, and Zoya rolled her eyes.

“Whatever you and Gerald have going on has nothing to do with me. Babes, I am so happy for you.”

Stevie came over and hugged me. “Are you going to pick an island?”

“Huh?”

“Stevie, they didn’t even make it down the aisle yet.” Kora chuckled and kissed both my cheeks. “I am so happy for you, but I have to head out. There was no way I could miss this.”

“Thank you for coming.”

She hugged me. “Anytime.”

She went and hugged Don, who truly towered over her. Kora was so petite, so Landon and Menace’s tall frames towered over her. “Thanks for coming, Kora.”

“Anytime, baby boy. I love you, Don… I am so proud of you both.” She looked at me, and then Landon.

Menace nodded his head, and security followed her out. “Well, that means you need to come on my birthday trip.”

“Here we go with this damn trip again,” Menace muttered.

“I invited her already,” Stevie blurted.

“Now, how you inviting someone to my birthday?”

Stevie shrugged, as her husband held her around the waist. “Where’s my son, Wonder? I need to see him.”

“Okay, baby, come on,” she held his hand.

“Wait, Stevie… Mommy, come,” I pulled her over toward them.

“Hey Menace, doing well?”

He nodded his head. “Trying. My wife is trying to divorce me.”

My mother snickered. “Stevie, are you actually trying to leave him?”

“I’m going on my first girl’s trip… he’s dramatic.”

I held my mother’s hand. “Mommy, Stevie is looking for someone to help her with the baby.”

“Like a nanny?”

“Not really, just someone to give me some pointers and help me wit?—”

“Like a nanny.” My mother laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “Are you alright with that, Menace?”

It was how my mother knew how to talk to this man. He was rude to every damn body, but not her. “Will this help you more, Wonder? Less stress and talking down on yourself?”

She searched his eyes. “I just wanna feel normal again, Mavie.”

“Anything she wants.” He kissed her forehead.

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