“KJ’s daddy is over here, and my mommy is yelling,” she said, her words rushing together. “I don’t like it.”
Heavy’s jaw tightened, but his tone stayed calm for her. “Where you at?”
“In my room.” She sniffled. “I closed the door.”
“A’ight, that’s good,” he reassured. “Stay right there, alright? Don’t come out.”
“Okay.”
“Where’s your brother?”
Heavy was hoping she didn’t say with her. Ashtyn was a very smart little girl, but KJ wasn’t even one yet. She didn’t need to be alone with him.
“Mommy has him,” she replied, softly.
“Okay.” He sighed with relief. “I’m on the way. You hear me?”
“Mhm. Want me to stay on the phone?”
“Yes. Stay on the phone until I get there.”
“Okay.”
Heavy was tender about his sister, but especially about his niece and nephew. Mesha was always putting him in fucked-up situations, but she’d really taken the cake with this one. His grip tightened on the wheel as he made the next turn without hesitation. Whatever plans he had could wait.
Heavy heardher hollering from the parking lot. What would’ve typically been a fifteen-minute drive turned into seven, and he was whipping into her complex just in time. Khysen, KJ’s daddy, was walking down the steps of Mesha’s townhome just as Heavy hopped out of his ride.
“You called your brother?” Khysen asked, glaring at Heavy.
“Nah, nigga. My niece did. What’s up?” Heavy tugged upward on his pants, ready for whatever.
Khysen flexed his jaw, becoming pissed off even more. “Man, move around with all that tough guy shit. I came over here to see my son and your sister tripping like usual.”
Mesha stomped down the stairs, her long ponytail damn near slapping Heavy in the face as she passed him.
“Ain’t nobody tripping! That’s you and your weird-ass family acting funny towards my son. I can’t change what happened to your brother, and that’s not my fault! All of y’all can just leave me and mine the fuck alone!”
When it came to her kids, Mesha didn’t give a fuck whose feelings got hurt, but it damn sure wouldn’t be hers or theirs.
“I told you I checked that shit, and you still wanna argue. This ain’t even about KJ. You mad about another bitch,” Khysen fumed, ready to say fuck it.
He loved his son too much, though.
“Aye, I don’t give a fuck what it’s about as long as you ain’t putting your hands on her,” Heavy intervened.
“That nigga ain’t crazy. He gon’ be right where his?—”
Khysen rushed her so fast that Heavy almost didn’t have a chance to stop him.
“I’ma be right where, Mesh? Huh? Say that shit with your chest!” Khysen boomed, wanting her to utter those hateful words.
Heavy pushed him back, already knowing the slick shit his sister was about to say. “A’ight, cuz. Back up. Whatever y’all got going on needs to be handled when the kids ain’t here. Where the fuck is my nephew?” He looked at Mesha for answers.
She rolled her eyes. “He’s taking a nap.”
Heavy didn’t know how, with all the yelling they were doing, but his point still stood.
“You better have my son ready tomorrow, and I’m not playing with your ass, Lamesha. You really want a nigga to spazz out. Don’t play with me about my seed.” Khysen grilled her, then mugged Heavy.
