Page 154 of Mia

“Damn, them kids ain’t got no rhythm,” I said, shaking my head.

Maceo snickered. “Out there looking like Smoke’s big stiff ass.”

Smoke smacked the back of his head. “Fuck you. Not everybody be out there gyrating like y’all.”

Deuce shook his head. “It’s not our fault you can’t dance. Even Senior can move. Look at his old ass.”

He nodded at the dance floor, where Senior was dancing with Jaeda and Mia. The man looked happy as hell, and he was moving like he wasn’t in his fifties.

“Nigga gon’ pop a hip out of place,” Deuce added with a laugh.

“Right,” Maceo agreed. “Then we’ll be the ones at his house taking care of him. Can’t even enjoy him not popping up when he feels like it.”

I shrugged. “I don’t mind a pop up. I know he’s coming with good weed and a good laugh.”

“You’re still new here,” Smoke said. “It’ll get old. The kids are just as bad. Every time I look around, one of them is calling him on the iPad. I hear Pop Pop too damn much in my house and the nigga don’t even live there.”

Deuce, Maceo, and Steel nodded in agreement.

“Fat Man can’t call him on his own yet, but he’ll start yelling his name,” Steel said. “At that point, I just call him to come get him before he throws a fit.”

Deuce chuckled. “When Darlyn gets mad at me or her mama, she’ll go in her room and pack her bookbag. She has the nerve to call that man and sit on the steps until he comes to get her. Talking about she running away. You ain’t going very far. Go on with your bald-headed ass granddaddy.”

We all shared a laugh.

“I’m sure Lil’ Stanley will be just as bad,” Quaid said, lifting his son from the stroller as he became fussy. “Senior calls to see him every morning. As soon as he sees that man’s face, he starts kicking and grinning. He’s a good grandpa, though. I don’t know many grandfathers that would get all these damn kids at once.”

“That part,” I agreed.

The back door opened, and Grams stepped out with her hands on her hips.

“Y’all know the window is open and I can hear y’all out here talking about my son.”

Deuce grinned. “You know the nigga you birthed, Grams.”

“I do. Say what you want, but all of you would be lost without that man out there. Every time any of you call or get in some mess, he’s right there. Let’s face it, all of you have had your fair share of mess. Don’t take the time you have with him for granted.”

“We don’t, Grams,” Maceo said, picking up Charm, who was growing fussy too. “We might talk shit, but we love the old man. Couldn’t do life without him.”

Smoke poked her in the side. “Not you coming out here to check us about your baby boy.”

“And is,” Grams said. “That’s my son and I don’t play about him. I’ll bust all your asses about my baby.”

I laughed. “We don’t want no smoke, Grams.”

“I know you don’t. I may be old, but I got something to make you tap dance if you aren’t careful.”

“Don’t hurt us, Killa,” Deuce said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

Grams rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to her great-grandbabies. She smiled.

“They are just too cute. What a blessing. Deuce, Titan, and Smoke, y’all come on in here and help us carry this food out.”

We all got up and went into the kitchen to grab the first round of pans. With all these people here, I knew they had been in the kitchen all morning making several batches of sides. It was the fact that Grams didn’t allow too many people in her kitchen besides her daughters, daughter-in-law, and occasionally Senior’s baby mamas. She always cooked a shit ton of food, and I could tell it was a love language.

As soon as the food was put out, my wife came over to see what was in the pans.

“I’m starving,” she complained. “I need Grams to come bless this meal.”