Lil Q: We good. I knew you were going to be busy with Amill, so I’m staying at Quincy’s place tonight.
Me: That’s where you better be.
I slid my phone into the pocket of my robe and went back downstairs. The front door opened, and Yaseer’s snarl filled the house before I could make it to the last step.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting my makeup done,” Amill replied.
“What’s going on?” I yelped, rushing into the dining room.
Vella stood with the concealer and beauty blender in hand.
“I’ve never let Amill get her makeup done. I told her we could do prom. It’s not necessary for homecoming. You don’t need all of that extra stuff,” he chastised her.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I booked the makeup artist for her when she said Jameera’s makeup was cute for homecoming. This is on me,” I clarified. “I should’ve asked before assuming.”
“Amill knows better, she ain’t slick.”
“Do you see what I mean, Marissa? He is so strict and overbearing. What is a little makeup going to hurt? I’m eighteen. You won’t be able to control my life forever,” Amill lashed out.
“Okay, everybody let’s just calm down,” I raised my hands, stepping in the middle of them.
“I’m sorry, Vella. Can you give us a minute?”
Vella nodded, placing the items on the table before scurrying out.
“Yaseer, this is on me. I should’ve asked you. Most girls get their makeup done for homecoming. I truly don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I can show you the look she is going for. It’s not super dramatic and it’s age appropriate.” I clicked around on my phone until I found Vella’s Instagram account.
Yaseer took the phone and examined it. I softened my face hoping to lighten the mood. “I’m sorry for snapping like that, Amill. I don’t want to ruin your night. The makeup is fine,” Yaseer apologized.
“Really?” Amill gasped.
“Don’t get cute because I can change my mind.”
“Nope, I’m good. Thanks, Daddy,” she grinned. “Vella, come on before he starts tripping again.”
I gripped Yaseer’s hand and led him out of the dining room as Vella came back in. My feet didn’t stop moving until we were in the privacy of the bedroom with the door closed behind us.
“Yaseer, I’d never question your parenting in front of Marissa, but you have got to relax on her.”
“I’m just on edge about everything. She’s going to leave my house with some lil nigga that asked her to the dance in a little bit.”
“Well, you better learn to be nice if you want me to reintroduce your dick to my tonsils tonight. I know how it feels to be the parent of the boy, don’t make this boy’s parents not like you, like I don’t like Jameera’s uncle.”
“I won’t,” he promised, loosening his tie and yanking it off.
“Let me help you,” I urged, easing up behind him.
I helped Yaseer out of his suit jacket, and he kicked off his shoes while I slid the jacket into the custom dry cleaning garment bag hanging in the laundry area down the hall; where his suits were picked up every Monday by a dry cleaning service. When I returned to the room, Yaseer was undoing the fourth or fifth button of his shirt. I took over, hoping to help ease some of the stress from his day. He wasn’t supposed to work today with everything Amill had going on, but something popped off at the last minute, and I was happy to take over helping Amill.
“You want to know something that most people don’t know?”
“What’s that?”
“My uncle who raised me was a lot like you when I was younger. Have you ever heard of Vincent Marucci?”
The look on his face answered me before his words could. “I’m aware of exactly who Vincent is. I’ve done some business with him in the past.”
