Page 8 of Heart of a Savage
“What’s up with you, man?”
“Nothing. I told them not to come in here, but they didn’t listen to me. I was chasing Devon because he took my Nintendo Switch and wouldn’t give it back,” he explained.
I looked at Devon as he shrank into the couch, covering his face. Turning to my junior, I asked, “What did I tell you about letting people play with you, Messiah?”
“But—”
“But, nothing. What did I say?”
“Don’t let nobody play with me because I ain’t no punk.”
“Exactly. Where your game at?”
“He still got it.”
“I was going to give it back, Uncle Messiah, after I finished my level, but he tried to take it before my time was up.”
“Does it belong to you?” I asked him.
“No, but?—”
“Go get your game from him,” I told my son.
MJ walked over to him, snatched his game from his hand, then sent a fist flying into his face. Devon stood up about to swing, but MJ punched him again, sending him to the floor.
“Messiah Braylen Crawford Jr.! What do you think you’re doing?” Jalea asked, switching her ass inside the living room with her sister, Malea, behind her. When she saw me, she stopped in her tracks, seeing the scowl on my face. “Si, I can explain. They just got here. They weren’t staying long, so I told them to sit in the living room until I was done talking to my sister.”
“We leaving now, Grinch. Y’all come on and get y’all stuff on,” Malea said, rolling her eyes and gathering her brats.
“I know ya tired ass ain’t got no attitude because you kept opening them gates of hell and pushing these little demons out.”
“Messiah, don’t start with me,” she said, waving me off.
“Then stop bringing the zoo to my house. MJ’s birthday ain’t until August. I’ll book they ass then.”
“Fuck you.”
“Never.”
“Si, stop,” Jalea said. “Bye, auntie babies. I’ll see y’all next time.”
“Bye, Auntie Lea!” They all chimed, walking past me, giving me the death stare. Devon’s face was twisted in a scowl as I chuckled.
“Whenever you ready, lil’ homie.” I wasn’t above beating a kid’s ass for fucking with my son.
“You are so childish,” Jalea said, walking them to the door.
“MJ, go up to your room. I’ll be up there in a minute to kick it with you.”
He nodded and grabbed his game, hurrying up the stairs. I waited until Jalea came back into the living room before I spoke.
“Si—”
“Shut up. I told ya ass a million times to stop inviting them tomyhouse. They’re disrespectful as fuck, and don’t have any home training.”
“Why can’t my family come over? I live here too!”
“Did you not just hear what I said? You keep thinking that this is your shit when it’s not. You’re only here because of my son, and you’re on borrowed time. You know them badass kids are jealous of my son, and you keep bringing them around here!”
