“What kind of a fucking question is that? You see she isn’t a blonde.”
“It’s a stupid question, that’s what kind,” Axel retorted. “The same way Winona was for wanting that name when she don’t got the right hair.”
Aunt Ophelia burst into laughter. “You’re right, bud.”
“No, he isn’t! Don’t encourage his bad behavior.” Uncle Cash looked at Jasper and Kade, who’d been silent the entire time, and pointed toward the hallway. “Go to your rooms.”
“But Papa said he’s ordering pizza when he gets back home,” Jasper protested.
“Pizza, Dad,” Tarmac said, clapping his hands.
“Can I have some?” Axel asked.
“No,” Uncle Cash said irritably.
“Cash,” Aunt Ophelia said with disapproval in her voice.
“What, Ophelia?” He pointed at Axel. “He has no fucking manners.”
“He don’t need manners, Dad,” Kade said. “He got Winnie to shut up when none of us could.”
“Did I ask you?” Uncle Cash looked from Aunt Ophelia to Winnie. “Go to the kitchen and cook something so they can go to bed.”
“Fine,” Aunt Ophelia said quietly. “C’mon, baby girl.” She turned and left.
Before Winnie followed her mother, she ran to Axel and hugged him. “Don’t forget, okay, Ax.”
Frowning, Axel held himself away from Winona. “I won’t. You’re a girl, so stop hugging me.”
It was Winnie’s turn to frown. “You like boys to hug you like Papa and Dad?”
“Out, Winona,” Uncle Cash snarled.
She turned and ran.
A thoughtful expression on his face, Axel narrowed his eyes.
“C’mon, Ax,” CJ said before Uncle Cash lost his shit. He looked like a rabid dog. “Dad’s probably ready to go.”
Pursing his lips, Axel turned to their uncle. “Why’d you make Aunt Fee and Winnie go to the kitchen to cook?”
“You’re a child. You don’t come in my house and question the way I run things.”
“Don’t you mean the way you and Aunt Fee run things?” Axel asked, truly confused.
“I do not.”
“You’re lucky you don’t live with Mom, cuz motherfucker, you would get us thrown out the fucking house with the way you talk to Aunt Fee.”
“Sorry, Uncle Cash,” CJ said quickly. “Ax is on this kick about Mom making us pay if she’s angry at Dad.”
Uncle Cash visibly gritted his teeth, then got down on one knee, eye level with Axel. “I’m the man of the house. That means I make the rules. Since Stretch and me have jobs, it is up to Ophelia to cook and clean. I want Winnie to learn the ways of a woman.”
Axel nodded. “Dad doesn’t know how to cook. That’s why me, Ran and Ry refuse to learn.”
“Exactly. I wear the pants in the family.”
“Doesn’t Uncle Stretch live here, too?” Axel asked.
