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“I do.”

“I watched that woman get the version of Rah I prayed for.”

“I know.”

“I watched him marry her.”

“I know.”

“I watched my babies ask why Daddy don’t live here with us,” she said as her eyes filled with tears.

I couldn’t believe Rah’s ass put me in the middle of this shit.

“But…” she said, looking at Khari. “I also know that girl loves Kyenna. It irks my fucking nerves when she comes home and talks about her.”

“And Kyenna loves her,” I told her.

“Khari used to come every Sunday with them damn pink nails.” Averie laughed through the tears.

“So, why take those moments from her?”

“I never hated Kyenna. I hated what she represented. She got the finished version of Rah.”

“But she didn’t tho’. She went through her shit, too.”

“That was just karma.”

“Karma for what? Kyenna didn’t take Rah from you. Y’all both were single.”

“You always taking her side.”

“No, I’m speakin’ truth.”

“Khari can go next weekend.”

“Thank you, Averie.”

“But…”

“Aw fuck.”

“I don’t want Ray around my daughter.”

“Now we both kno’ damn well Kyenna can’t stand Raya.”

“You’re right.” We both laughed.

Kaiden overheard our conversation and entered the kitchen.

“You think I can go too, Mama?”

Shameek looked at me.

“Kaiden, I thought you didn’t like Kyenna.”

“I kind of miss her. I miss my room over there, too. Plus, I want to see if she’ll give me some of those pictures of my dad.”

“I tell you what. You can go if yo’ mama says you can. We can get some pictures off yo’ phone and blow them up to put them in a frame.”