Page 38 of 4 Corinthians

“I wish you had never told us about that,” Judge said, hitting him. “It's so hard to sleep over there now knowing they do that.”

“If I have to suffer, then so do y’all,” Ex shrugged. “Anyway, I heard Granddaddy and Uncle JD talking the other night when I went to get some water out of the kitchen. They were talking about some boys who were being abused when Madea walked in. She said kill whoever is responsible for hurting the boys.”

“How did you hear all this?” Judge asked him.

“I was hiding in the hallway; you know it’s dark if no lights are on.”

“You think Granddaddy and Uncle JD killed the person?”

“I don’t know,” Ex answered, shaking his head. “I don’t put it past him, though. Everybody at church always says he’s crazy.”

Our parents got in their cars and left, while Madea and Granddaddy walked away from the car to talk. They were far enough away that we couldn’t hear them, but they could see us. Granddaddy said something, pointing to the cars that were no longer there, and Madea stood there letting him vent. After a few minutes, she got on her tiptoes, grabbed his face, and made him look at her. I could see her mouth moving, and whatever she said to him calmed him down. He nodded, kissed her, then nodded again.

“Alright, y’all want pizza or something else for dinner?” Madea asked once they were back in the van. Granddaddy put it in reverse, but we didn’t move.

“Pizza and a movie at home,” Krude answered before anyone else could. “I want to watch my favorite movie.”

“Nobody wants to watch a Disney movie, Krude,” Judge sighed and shook his head. “You really have to grow up.”

Granddaddy chuckled, then we started backing up.

“Granddaddy, stop the van!” Krude yelled. Granddaddy hit the brakes and turned around to see what the emergency was.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking around.

“Put Judge out of the van,” Krude said, taking off his seatbelt. “He's over here saying bad words and stuff. We don’t do that in this family unless we grown, and Madea told us earlier we ain’t grown yet.”

“Judge, you cussing?” Granddaddy asked him.

“No, sir,” Judge answered, looking confused.

“He did too!” Krude said, getting up from his seat. He tried opening the door, but the child lock was on. “Get out of the car and open the door, Granddaddy. As a matter of fact, whoop him.”

“He said he didn’t cuss Krude,” Granddaddy said.

“He said a bad word!” Krude continued to argue. “Beat. Him.”

“What did he say?” Madea said, looking between the boys.

“He told me to grow up!” Krude dramatically answered. “That is not sound advice!” Krude threw his hands in the air. “And before that, he said nobody likes Disney movies. I do!” he pointed at Judge. “Beat. Him.”

“Krude, sit down,” Granddaddy said, laughing. “Nobody is beating him.”

“You need a belt?” he started taking his off. “Don’t worry, I got you, big man. I stay prepared. Here.” He took his belt off and tried to hand it to Granddaddy, but Madea took it instead. “That’s what I’m talking about, Favorite Person! Whoop him.” He tried to move out of the way, but Madea stopped him.

“Have a seat, Krude, and put your belt back on. No one wants to see your Lion King boxers,” she said, handing him back his belt.

“You're not going to beat him?” he asked her. The confusion on his face turned to sadness. “Favorite Person, I thought you would always have my back.”

“I do,” she laughed, “but that isn’t something to whoop Judge over. That’s his opinion, and it’s okay to have different opinions about things.”

Krude put his hand on Madea’s head. “You sick? You ain’t ever passed up an invite to whoop nobody,” he asked her. “You need some meds?”

“No, baby,” she laughed and moved his hand. “Now, have a seat so we can go. I’m ready to get home. If everyone wants pizza, that’s fine; we can grab it, then go home and watch a movie. If they don’t want to watch what you want to, you can go to my and your granddaddy's room, lie in the bed, and watch it alone.”

“Okay,” Krude said, nodding as he put on his belt. He stopped halfway, putting his belt on, and shook his head. “I appreciate you offering your bed, but I will sit on the floor.”

“Why?” she asked, confused.