Page 143 of 4 Corinthians

“I’m trying.”

“I know, and I want you to know that I’m proud of you. You never let anyone in, besides us, and even at times that was limited. I didn’t complain because I knew that you were going through something after losing your parents. You weren’t the same little girl. But I didn’t expect you to be either.” She shook her head. “I’m not going to lie to you; I lost you there for a minute. You were so wrapped up in your mind, in your fears, that I couldn’t reach you. Every damn night I said an extra prayer for you. For both of you.”

“Madea, what I was going through wasn’t your fault,” I told her. “You did everything you could.”

“Still doesn’t take away the blame I felt,” she said, shrugging. “As your grandmother, I’m supposed to protect you, help you, guide you. When I can't do those things, I’m going to feel a certain kind of way.” She smiled. “You’ll get it when Judah or any other kid you eventually have brings home your first grandbaby. That love is different.”

“I’m not-“

“Girl, please don’t lie to me and say you ain’t having no more kids,” she laughed and shook her head. “That man outside is going to marry you, change that little boy's last name and make him a big brother. Watch what I tell you.” She stood, approached me, and cupped my face. “You deserve love in all its glory, and he is the one who is going to give it to you. Yes, you had it rough, more so than others because of your parents and their death, but hear me loud and clear, Corinthians. You are special, worthy of love to the highest degree and are receiving it. You might not allow many people in, but the few you do see something in you that you haven’t yet.”

“Yes ma’am,” I said, nodding. Tears fell from my eyes, and she gently wiped them away with her thumbs.

“And if he doesn’t love you the way that I know only he can, you know what to do, right?” She lifted her brow, and I nodded. “Which is?”

“Point and you’ll handle the rest,” I answered with a laugh.

“Right,” she said, then wiped my tears again and kissed me on the forehead. “I will always handle the rest.”

“Mama!” Judah yelled, coming from the back. He ran into the living room, stopping short of the couch when he noticed Madea standing in front of me holding my face. She let go of me, put her hands on her hips, and I quickly wiped my eyes. His eyes went from excited to concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I answered him, shaking my head.

He looked at me like he didn’t believe me, then over my shoulder. Uri was still out there on the phone.

“You’re crying; your eyes are red and puffy,” he pointed out, then turned to Madea. “You told her about the Kilmores coming to the church?” He turned back to me. “That’s why you were crying because of them? I know you don’t like them, and sometimes we gotta go to the park by their church. I heard Madea tell Granddaddy that she doesn’t want to deal with them.” He turned his attention back to Madea. “If you don’t want to deal with them, why are they coming to the church? Ain’t it Granddaddy church? Can’t he say no? Krude said he doesn’t like them and their children's choir is boring.”

“Judah,” she sighed. “Slow down for a minute.”

“I can’t, Madea,” he said, shaking his head. “My mama is crying; you don’t like the Kilmores. Krude said their children’s choir sucks and that’s why he has us practicing because ain’t no way we can suck and we are black.” He shook his head and put his hands in his pockets. “I’m going to talk to Four about all of this. He will know what to do.”

“He’s on the phone, Judah,” I quickly told him. I didn’t want him interrupting Four’s conversation. Whatever it was had his full attention, which meant it was probably work-related.

“Four said if I need him, I’m supposed to tell him; it doesn’t matter what he’s doing,” Judah said, then ran towards the kitchen and to the back porch. “Four!” he pulled open the door and slammed it shut behind him.

“The Kilmores are coming to the church?” I asked Madea, and she nodded. “Why?”

“The damn Black Excellence program. Your granddaddy has been getting out of it for years, but now the damn Kilmores are insisting we host.” She patted me on the shoulder. “I don’t know why they are adamant about us hosting, but they are. Luther’s ole raggedy ass has called your granddaddy I don’t know how many times about making sure we are all there.”

“Judah and I won't be there,” I said, shaking my head. “I-“

“I already know,” she cut me off and laughed. “I told your granddaddy, and he is fine with it. He said it’s a million of y’all friends around that it won’t matter if y’all don’t show up. And fuck the Kilmores if they have a problem with it. They haven’t done a thing for Judah anyway.”

“The Kilmores?” Uri asked. I quickly turned around to see him standing in the doorframe of the kitchen. “What do the Kilmores have to do with Judah?” He looked between Madea and me. His brows damn near touched in the middle, and his jaw twitched.

“Oh shit,” Madea mumbled. “He doesn’t know.” She glanced at me. “I’m sorry.”

I quickly stood, stepped around Madea, and approached Uri. “We need to talk,” I said. I looked over his shoulder to see Judah still on the back porch. He was dribbling his basketball, not paying us any attention. “About Judah’s daddy.” I turned back to Uri to see his eyes filled with anger.

“Which one is his daddy?” he asked. His eyes searched mine. When I didn’t answer, he laughed and nodded. “Don’t worry about it, baby.” He kissed my forehead then stepped back. “I need to make a call right fast and let Nine know I need the plane. I gotta make a quick work trip. Won't be gone for more than a day at the most. Finish talking to your grandma and let me know when you’re ready to go.” He kissed me again, this time on my lips before pulling away and walking out of the front door.

***

“You’re mad,” Judah said from the backseat. Uri’s bracelet started to beep, and he grunted. “And you’re beeping. That’s means you’re mad.”

“N-n-n-no,” Uri replied as he drove.

“Yes, you are. You said that when you’re mad or nervous, you stutter,” Judah replied. “You’re stuttering.”