Page 13 of A Country Hood Christmas with the Hendersons

“I’m gonna call Storm. He has nothing to do for the wedding tomorrow. He can keep his kids at his house. I know Jenahra has a lot to do in the morning, so I see why CJ is here. If everybody else can get their kids, then he can get his.”

“I’m just feeling extra tired tonight. We worked hard decorating earlier. I’m not a spring chicken anymore.”

“I know, Mama,” I said while placing the phone call.

Of course, he didn’t answer.Jackass.“He didn’t answer. I’m gonna send these kids other places.”

After calling Jasper, he said he would come and get Remy and CJ since Ashanni was with Tiff. I guessed the twins would have to come with me. Storm was gonna pay for this shit. I made my way back to the front to see them sitting on my mama’s living room furniture with their legs crossed. “Go pack your stuff. Y’all are coming with me. Pack the boys’ things too. Jasper is coming to get them.”

“Thank God. It smell like old people in here,” Noni said.

I rolled my eyes, a common occurrence anytime I was around Storm or his children. “Y’all know y’all ain’t supposed to be in here anyway on Mama’s good furniture.”

“This room smells the best because nobody is ever in it. I bet you would sit in here, too, if you had to spend the night,” Bali said as they walked off.

I went back to the kitchen. LaKeith was gonna be pissed when I got back home with the twins in tow. He’d promised to glaze every roll on my body when I got back, and now he would have to keep his glaze to himself. Those twins were way too nosy. The older they got, the worse they got… just like their nosy ass father. Their asses stayed in grown folks’ business.

“Mama, I got all the kids situated. Get you some rest.”

“Thank you, Chrissy. Normally, I can handle it, but today wore me out. I had to be a part of making my first grandchild’s wedding a grand affair. The barn looks beautiful.”

“It really does. So elegant. You, Aspen, Vida, and Tiffany did a beautiful job.”

“Thank you, baby.”

“Where’s Maui?”

“When Tiff came to get Milana and Ashanni, she took off with them. You know all this shit gets on her nerves.” She chuckled. “She isnotSeven’s child.”

I laughed then went to her and hugged her. Seeing her and Daddy get old made me just want to cherish the time we were blessed to have left with them. I would always make the load lighter when I could. When I released her, I grabbed the starter for the bread.

“Aunt Kissy, we ready!” Remington yelled.

“Good. Y’all are going with Uncle Jasper. Maybe you can play with Crew and Royal.”

I knew that was a long shot. Royal was way older than them, and Crew was unbothered when it came to the two of them. He would ignore them, even if they had gotten on top of the roof. He did his dirt, but CJ and Remy were on totally different levels. Crew was older than them as well. He had to be at least six.

“Yay!” CJ yelled.

When Satan’s imps appeared in the doorway, I turned to Mama. “See you tomorrow.”

“Okay, baby.”

When we got to the front door, Jasper was walking in. He didn’t speak. He looked slightly annoyed. “Get y’all asses in the car. I’m not Grandma. I’ll beat y’all lil asses, then take you to yo’ parents and let them handle you.”

The boys lowered their heads, and Remy looked like he wanted to cry. When they walked off, Jasper let a smile grace his face. “You gotta be tough with them. I’ma give them some liquid marijuana and knock them out. Mama okay?”

I chuckled. “She’s just tired. She worked hard today.”

“Yeah, I get it. You know I got a key to Storm’s house.”

My eyebrows hiked up. “For real?”

“Mm hmm,” he said with an evil grin.

“Let’s go over there then. We can drop CJ’s ass there too, since they are missing SS and Maui.”

Jasper chuckled and rubbed his hands together. He was always down with the foolishness, especially when it involved irritating Storm.

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