“Nah, let me finish because this shit is getting redundant as fuck. You can keep yo lil’ attitudes, not answer my texts and calls when you mad, but we both know yo ass ain’t going nowhere. We gone go through shit, but we gone get through the shit. You can talk to my mumma and Troi, telling them how I ain’t shit or whatever, and that’s cool too. Because you know as well as they know that there’s no nigga who gone love you like I love you. Care for you like I care for you. You know can’t no nigga fuck you better and for damn sure ain’t gone understand you like I do. I let you talk all yo shit because deep down you know the real. Quit with all this other shit and let me show you I’m not what you be trying to make me out to be. Let go of shit that has nothing to do with us… take a chance onme.”
Yanna was touched by Kas’ words. Deep down, she knew he was nothing like her father. Knew he would never leave her alone with a child. Still, the trauma from her upbringing wouldn’t allow her to fully let her guard down. She appreciated Kas’ incessant professing of his love for her, but she wouldn’t openly reciprocate the sentiment. She couldn’t. It may seem injudicious to others, but Yanna felt like the moment she uttered those three words, all hell would break loose. So, she’d continueto pretend as if she didn’t care, and prayed Kas would continue to go with the flow.
“I hear you, Kas, I promise I do. I don’t want to talk about my dad and my issues anymore, though. Let’s talk about yours.”
“What about mine?”
“Are you just going to ignore the fact that he’s back? That he’s trying to be a part of y’all lives? What are you going to do about that?”
An infuriated sigh escaped Kas’ lips as he ran a hand over his face. “I don’t know… nothing, I guess. Shit not even that deep to me.”
“Come on now. You don’t have to lie to kick it with me. You know damn well you want to know that man.”
“Yea, but?—”
“If you say anything about Onyx, I’mma slap you. I asked, whatyouwant to do?”
“And I said I don’t know. I mean, if given the opportunity, I may be down to have a conversation with him.”
“Why does the opportunity have to be given? If you want to meet your father, do it. You don’t need excuses, and you don’t need permission.”
“I just don’t want my brother mad at me.”
“You know, I’ve always admired you and Onyx’s relationship. You love the hell out of him, and he loves the hell out of his little brother. However, you can’t live your life for him.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Because when am I not?”
“Most of the time.”
“Shut up. So, again I ask, what are you going to do?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Kas responded, but deep inside, he was a little boy who wanted nothing more than to have a relationship with his father.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Layla was busy cleaning away the layer of dust that had settled since she’d been away from her home. After her meeting with Nouri, she decided it was finally time for her to face the music and return home. She’d been home since earlier that morning, and no one besides Troi knew she was there. Or so she thought. That proved to be untrue when she heard the door’s code being punched into the keypad. She knew it was Kas before she saw him because he was always rapping some song or making some sort of beat with his mouth. Grabbing a towel from the counter, she dried her hands just as Kas was entering the kitchen.
“Hey mumma.”
“Hey, baby boy. I didn’t expect you to come by here so soon. You still mad at me?”
“Hell yea, I’m mad at you. Bring yo ass on outside and pick a switch. You fitna get a whooping.”
“Now I know you done lost your damn mind, boy.”
“I’m sorry, mumma. I got beside myself.”
“Yea, get yourself hurt playing with me like you crazy. You hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“Alright, come on and sit down. I was just about to fry some chicken.”
Kas ventured further into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. He sat quietly for a moment, watching as his mother moved about the kitchen. There was so much he wanted to say. So much he wanted to ask. He just didn’t know where to start. He figured he should start with the most pressing first.
“You fucking with Nouri?” He blurted.
