Page 59 of 4 Corinthians

“Nothing,” I denied, shaking my head. “I told Granddaddy I would stop by this week, and I was in the neighborhood.”

Madea looked over her shoulder at me and gave me the look that told me she knew I was lying. “You sure?” she asked, and I nodded. “Because if it's something else, we can talk about it.”

“I’m good,” I insisted. “I’m just checking in so Granddaddy won't be beating down my door in a few days is all.”

Her eyes slowly took me in and then nodded. “Alright.” She turned back again to focus on her dishes. “Because if you aren’t, all you gotta do is point. No words needed.”

“I know, Madea,” I told her, remembering what she told me as a kid.

“For someone who knows you ain’t ever did it,” she replied. “Now tell me about what you have planned for your shop. You interviewed any barbers yet?”

“Not yet,” I said, thankful that she changed the subject. “I have a few interviews set up for tomorrow, and this weekend the furniture will be delivered.”

“What's your timeframe to be open?”

“I want to be open by the end of the month.”

“That’s quick,” she replied.

“I know, but I’m literally just waiting for the last few pieces to fall in line. Nothing is holding me back.”

Madea turned off the water, grabbed the towel off the counter next to her, and dried her hands. “Well, I’m proud of you,” she said, turning around. Her smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but return it. “And just know that I’ll be there the first day, taking pictures to add to my wall.”

“I know, Madea,” I said, nodding.

“Madea!” Exodus yelled, and I laughed. She rolled her eyes and threw the towel on the counter. “Madea!”

“In here, Exodus,” she yelled back. “Come on in.”

“No ma’am,” he told her. “You gotta come to the door. We are going back to my childhood rules.” Exodus was the latest one to walk in on her and Granddaddy. “You come to me!”

“I swear you kids are dramatic as hell,” she mumbled, shook her head, and walked out of the kitchen. I followed her, surprised to see the rest of my cousins and even my sister with him. The only person missing was Cross, but that wasn’t abnormal since she didn’t live here. “Oh hell, why is everyone here?”

“We came to talk Best Friend,” Krude said stepping around Exodus. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek. “This shit is unacceptable.”

“What shit?” she asked, letting him go and stepping back.

“The fact that you got all of us traumatized and scared to walk into your house,” Krude replied, shaking his head. “I know you and OG think y’all grown, but we need to have the safe sex talk.” He took her hand and pulled her towards the living room.

“Hey,” I laughed as they passed me.

“What’s good, Corinthians?” he replied and winked. “You good, baby cousin? You need anything?”

“I’m good,” I told him, and he nodded. The rest of my cousins passed me, speaking as they did so. Psalms was the last; she took my hand, and we walked to the living room.

Madea sat in the chair across from Judge; Exodus and Mercy sat on the big couch across from her. Krude sat on the coffee table, and Psalms and I sat on the love seat. She looked between all of us and rolled her eyes.

“I’m pretty sure I had the sex talk with you all already,” she pointed out and shrugged. “But if you need another lesson, we can go into more details.” She sighed, then sat forward. “A man has a dick-“

“Madea!” Krude yelled and stood. He quickly turned to Exodus and pointed to Madea. “Get her man! Like for real, get her!”

“This was your idea,” Exodus laughed and shook his head. “I didn’t want to bring my ass over here and have this talk.”

“Yet you were on my phone crying about how you walked in on her and Granddaddy raw dogging it on the couch,” Krude reminded him. “Screaming and hollering all in my phone and shit.” He sat back on the table. “Now you trying to switch it up?”

“He didn’t walk in on us on the couch,” Madea said, shaking her head and waving Krude off.

“He said the living room, Madea; where else was y’all old asses gonna be but the couch? Y’all wasn’t getting on the floor,” Krude replied.