Page 35 of 4 Corinthians

“Why?” I slowly asked.

She looked over her shoulder towards the hallway before turning back to me. “I don’t know, but he has no choice. You need to get up, get dressed, and be downstairs quickly.”

I got up, not needing to continue our conversation. Mama left just as quietly as she’d come. She closed the door behind her, and I went to my closet to get a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and shoes. After a quick shower, I was dressed and walking down the steps just as Uncle Bradon and Breighton were walking into the house.

“What’s good, nephew?” Uncle Bradon greeted me. He pulled me into a hug, and I hugged him back. Being hugged by someone was always foreign to me because I was used to being held down. I didn’t associate hugs with something good but having Uncle Bradon hug me felt good. “How are you feeling?”

“He’s fine,” Robert said, coming into the living room. He barely glanced at Mama before snapping his fingers twice. “Go on and get the food ready while I talk to my brother.”

Mama quickly left the room. Uncle Bradon watched her go before turning back to us. He shook his head, then pointed in the direction of Robert’s office.

“Business, then food,” Uncle Bradon told Robert, and then headed towards the office. Robert followed behind Uncle Bradon and Breighton, and I was behind him. When we got into the office, Uncle Bradon sat behind Robert’s desk. “Have a seat.”

“Geeh, thanks,” Robert chuckled as he sat down in the chair in front of his desk. “Nothing like being invited into my own office.”

“I could snatch this shit away,” Uncle Bradon replied. “With the snap of my finger, all this would be mine.” He sat forward, resting his arms on the desk and glaring at Robert. “I looked at the expenses, and we got a big ass fucking problem.”

“I can explain-“

“Ain’t shit to explain, Robert!” Uncle Bradon yelled and slammed his hand on the desk. “You are bleeding this office dry. What the fuck are you doing?”

“I had a few mishaps,” Robert tried to explain. “I made a few bad investments, and the trials didn’t produce like I expected them to. I have a plan.”

“You have a plan?” he mocked Robert. “A fuckin’ plan, Robert? You are damn near a million dollars in the hole. What kind of plan do you have to get that money back?”

“An insurance policy,” Robert answered. “I have one in the works right now. The money will be in the accounts plus interest.”

“That’s not how shit works,” Uncle Bradon said, shaking his head. “This is a fucking PR problem we are about to have. I have been on calls nonstop trying to handle this. I have to take Breighton to her mama and get on a fucking plane to go home to try and fix this.”

“I still don’t like that, Daddy,” Breighton said, shaking her head. “I want to go with you or stay here!” She looked around the room. “I can stay with Uncle Robert and play with Uri and Kenbral.”

“No Breighton-“

“Yeah, let her stay,” Robert quickly said, nodding. “You don’t want her around her mama's people, and I have the space. She can stay here.”

“Robert-“

“I will make sure she is fully taken care of. No questions asked, no complaints.”

I watched Uncle Bradon as he thought over Robert’s offer. I wanted to tell him no, that Breighton wouldn’t be safe here. That living here was torture, and she would be broken by the time he came back.

“It will make Sharon happy. She always says she wishes we had a daughter. This will be her chance to live out a dream.” Robert smiled, and I knew he was lying. Mama didn’t even want to be our parent, so I knew she didn’t want a daughter. Why would she? We were living a living nightmare. “You said that you wanted her to get to know her cousins. This could be a way.”

“No,” Uncle Bradon said, shaking his head. “Her mama may be dumb, but she isn’t stupid. She knows I will kill her and everyone associated with her if something happens to Breighton.” He narrowed his eyes at Robert. “You are dumb enough to try me just to see if you can get away with it.”

Robert laughed but didn’t deny anything that was said. Instead, he sat back in his seat and shook his head. “I would never do anything to your child that I wouldn’t do to mine,” he replied. He looked over at her and smiled. “She’s as safe as they are.” Robert's eyes showed how interested he was in having Breighton stay with us. He looked at her like Jonathan looked at Psalms.

“I’m standing on what I said,” Uncle Bradon replied.

“But Daddy,” Breighton whined. “I want to spend time with Uri and Kenbral like I do Mecca, Mahogany, and Larry.”

Uncle Bradon turned to Breighton and shook his head. “We will figure something out. When I get back, I will come and get them and let them stay at our house for a few weeks.”

“You promise?” she asked, and Uncle Bradon nodded. “Okay.” Breighton ran around the desk, hugged him, then kissed him on the cheek before coming back to stand next to me.

“Now back to you and this fucking money issue,” Uncle Bradon said, turning back to Robert. “I am going to fix this, but it will be the last time. After I get back, I’ll be taking over the office.”

“I have a plan!”