“You’ll see me tonight,” I told her.
Looking fresh and bubbly like always, Bliss pointed out, “Duke’s not on camera either.”
“Because I don’t want to see y’all asses this early,” Duke murmured. “And I’m working.”
Paityn yawned. “Dallas, Blake is right. This FaceTime wasn’t even necessary.”
Blake leaned in like she could see something different. “Are you with someone?”
Frowning, Paityn said, “Me? Bishop is right here.”
“Not you, Sissy. Duke’s ass,” Blake clarified.
“No,” Bliss answered for him. “He better not have someone in my house.”
Duke groaned. “I should’ve stayed my black ass at Dex’s house. The last time I checked my mother’s name was Victoria. And I’m not even atyourhouse anymore.”
Bliss rolled her eyes. “You left? After you rolled up in here at four in the morning waking Naija up? Where did you go?”
“Mama?” Naija appeared on the screen next. “Hi.” She waved at all of us, her plump cheeks full of something. She held up a blueberry and stuffed it into her already full mouth.
“Fuck,” Duke grumbled. “Damn-it. I have to go.”
“Fuck,” Naija repeated.
Everybody cracked up except for Bliss, who covered her daughter’s mouth and glared at the camera. “Duke, you’re the reason Naija is walking around here shouting curse words and laughing. You’re staying at Mom’s tonight. I’m done.”
“Unca Dukie,” Naija said.
Blake giggled. “That’s right, Unca Dukie. Get yo’ shit and bounce. Corrupting my pretty niece.”
“Shit,” Naija shouted.
Bliss turned red. “I’m hanging up. Apparently, y’all can’t have a curse-free conversation in front of little ears.”
Duke finally turned his camera on. “She’s going to learn anyway, damn-it.”
Naija clapped. “Unca Dukie.”
“Uncle Duke, baby doll,” my brother corrected. “Uncle. Duke.”
“Dukie,” Naija repeated. “Dukie.”
Blake laughed, falling off the screen. “That’s right, baby doll. Way to recognize when a man is full of shit. I’m gonna teach you a thing or two.”
Charlye giggled. “Y’all are crazy.”
Bliss perked up. “Is that Char? Happy Birthday!” She started our family’s signature birthday song, and everyone joined in.
Once they were done singing, my now fully clothed girlfriend leaned over and smiled at the camera. “Hey, fam. Thank you.”
“Did Justus make it in?” Asa asked.
The whole Burke-Winters family had come to town for the anniversary party. Even Charles had received an invitation, which was a huge feat since my mother couldn’t stand him. But since Julia died, Char’s dad had put in the effort to mend his relationship with his ex-wife and children, and my mother recognized that.
“Yeah,” Char answered. “They should be at Mom’s.”
“Time to end this boring-ass unnecessary conversation,” Duke said. “I have to finish something.” He dropped off without another word.
