“When I went to delete the picture of me and Elise out of your phone, a text from Myron came through, asking can you send him forty dollars like he is the son and you’re the parent. I opened the thread to see if I was tripping, and not only did I read the text preview correctly, but it got worse. You been sending him money since your parents made the Cash App for you. The shit he was saying to you ain’t cool at all. You are the child, and he is the parent. It’s not your job to look out for him. It’s his job to look out for you.”
“I know. As you can see, I don’t even reply to his messages, I just send the money. I figured I got it. Why not just hit him with it here and there?”
“Damn, I ain’t shit to you for real, huh?” I leaned my head to the side.
“What?” Nash puzzled, his face screwed up.
“I’m saying, though, it’s fucked up that I come through for you regularly. You just told Elise that I’m one of your boys, that’s why you’re so comfortable with me, and I get it, that’s why Ion trip. I been cussing since elementary school, and I thought we was like this,” I vented, lifting two fingers to my eyes, then aimed them at Nash. “But when you drank up my shit, you acted too broke to replace my box of Capri Suns,” I vented.
“Man, let that go!” Nash cackled, and I joined in for a moment. “Yo rich ass…” I flinched at him again, ceasing his words.
“Yo rich self didn’t need me to replace those Capri Suns. Yo pantry look like ours and it’s just you over there. I should’ve ate up all your chips too.”
“It was the principal, though,” I laughed. “But seriously, I’m going to have to tell your parents about you sending Myron money and those texts. I’ll be holding onto your phone until then. I gotta show them.”
“Fine, the fellas about to pull up for some food anyway. I won’t need it,” Nash confirmed. “Can you just wait until the day is over. My mom is so happy to have her family down here for the first time since their wedding, and this is their last day. They fly out tonight.”
“I got you,” I nodded.
Nash’s phone vibrated, and it was his boys saying they were at the door. We went back downstairs and split directions. Nash went to the door, and I went to find Essex.
Myron was Nash’s powda head sperm donor who chose drugs over being a father. After Nariyah gave him a year to get clean and co-parent for Nash’s sake, she went to court to have his rights terminated. Myron didn’t fight it, making it a swift process and clearing the way for Essex to adopt Nash. The adoption became final back in December, just in time for Nash’s name to be changed before Nova was born so their entire household could have the same last name. I thought we had heard the last of Myron. I guess that would have been too much like right.
When I stepped back outside, Essex was checking the meat on the grill, while chopping it up with one of Nariyah’s male cousins. Looking like the premier family man.
“How the fuck I send you in my room to grab the weed, and you come back empty handed?” Essex shook his head.
“My bad, I forgot. Plus, they were in there looking for bathing suits,” I lied.
“I’ll go grab it,” Essex announced, marching towards the sliding glass door.
My phone vibrated in my slacks, and I pulled it out to read the text.
Shay: But you want to be serious?
The bubble was still moving, and I waited for Elise to tell me what the fuck she was talking about. Then it disappeared, and a screenshot came through. It was a picture of one of Nariyah’s cousins in my car on Halloween.
Shay: I know your car, and not once did you mention having a woman in your car before coming to me on Halloween!
Shay: Don’t talk to me, Rashawn!
Shay: I’m so for real!
“Lady problems? I know that look and the way the messages coming through back to back,” Nariyah’s cousin chirped. I was so focused in on my phone that I almost forgot he was standing here.
“Hell yeah, I’m starting to think she might be a little bipolar,” I laughed, while rapidly texting Elise back. “But I love her regardless.”
Me: I didn’t even take her for a ride in it. That’s Nariyah’s cousin. I pulled up, and her people were outside. She asked to take a pic, and honestly, it was Nash’s bad ass who said yes and took the picture. I was about to tell them hell no.
Shay: Now you’re placing the blame on my nephew?
Me: WTF. Ask Essex. He was standing right there. Or ask your bad ass nephew. Nariyah did try to hook me up with one of them, but I said nah, I’m straight, and then the seed of Chucky gone say I’m suuuuuuper straight trying to be funny. Right hand to God that’s what happened bae.
Shay: Stop texting me for real, Rashawn!
Me: Just ask Nash. I haven’t done shit I ain’t supposed to. I promise. Don’t start that shit. You blowing me man.
I probably looked pitiful as fuck, but I didn’t give a damn. I loved Elise, and love will have you doing some crazy shit.
