“Damn, you’re tall as fuck in real life,” the one with the snarl on his face commented.
“Bruh.” The other one chuckled and shook his head. “I’m Stephan, lil’ mama. This is my brother, Shaun.”
Shaun’sface balled up again, making him lookjustlike Zoo. He stuck his hand out to shake mine.
“Gatah,” he corrected. “This nigga always tryna introduce me like I’m regular.”
“Regular as fuck,” Stephan shot back.
Yep, these were Smiths. The way they went back and forth like Zoo, Brooklyn, and Sin had me laughing.
“They ain’t that funny,” Zoo mumbled as the front door opened.
In walked two beautiful ass women, one holding a baby in her arms.
“By the looks on y’all’s faces, y’all in here cuttin’ up.” That came from the brown sister with a mane of hair flowing behind her like she had a gust of wind following her. The baby girl she carried on her hip was her twin.
“When are they not cutting up?” I had to admire the body on the other woman. She was built like she paid for it, but a girl could tell when it was natural.
“I’m Shaun’s wife, Yaya, and this is Stephan’s wife, Mariah. It’s so good to meet you!” Yaya took me into a warm hug followed by Mariah.
“Girl, we gotta come see you next season! These niggas had us hemmed up for the past few months like we don’t live in the States,” Mariah said.
“I would love that,” I replied. I couldn’t help but be distracted by the juicy brown skinned girl staring at me with big brown eyes. Tweaking her cheeks earned me a giggle.
“This is Sion. Girl, you want her?” Yaya asked.
We collectively busted out laughing when Shaun pried his baby from his wife’s arms.
“Don’t be tryna give my baby away,” he fussed.
“Well, tonight, you can stay up with her.”
“Aight, bet.” Shaun kissed his daughter’s cheeks. “You’re baby number four, and she’s still trippin’ like we ain’t true to dis.” Sion must’ve understood her daddy because she laughed just like we did. Well, everyone except Yaya.
“Shaun, don’t make me cut up in Zoo’s house.”
“Yeah, please don’t,” Zoo hurried up and said. “The last time she beat yo’ ass at Auntie’s house, the front door had to be replaced.”
Yaya smacked her teeth. “Shut up.” She chuckled but then hugged Zoo. “Had our men all worried.”
“And homicidal,” Mariah added, hugging Zoo as well. “Being across the water with those two was a nightmare.”
“First off, we’re still homicidal. Zoo, come holla at us.” Shaun didn’t wait for an answer as he sauntered towards the patio door with his brother by his side.
Zoo glanced at me and smirked before heading behind his cousins. It occurred to me that this is what Zoo meant when he said his family was more likeGodfathercrazy.
Nosey, I went to the patio door that he’d closed behind himself.
“Sis, just know what they’re talking about needs to be kept between them,” Yaya stated.
Deciding that she was right, I led them into the kitchen for something to drink. Remembering what Zoo and I had just done in here brought heat to my face.
“Pass me some bleach spray,” Mariah requested. “Zoo probably had her on the counters.”
Embarrassed, but shocked, I died laughing right with Mariah and Yaya.
Zoo and his cousins stayed outside for over an hour. Yaya, Mariah, and I got to know each other over a midday drink. They were equally inviting and had me rolling with their stories of life with their husbands. Coming from them, love sounded so easy. What I loved most was Yaya and Mariah’s relationship. At times, they finished each other’s sentences. It was evident that their bond was solid. They reminded me of myself, my sister, and Bri.
