1 #4
She had a bunch of scars on various parts of her body and they each told a story of their own.
Dot had been stabbed, shot, and did a year in prison.
Her husband, Dennis Sr., was a force to be reckoned with in the streets and she was his rider.
“This is not the time, Dot. Damn, the girl ain’t even had time to process her feelings yet.” Diva rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. She loved her mother, but it took a lot to deal with her.
Dot never cared what she said and she would look you right in the eyes when she said it.
But she was wise and she had a discerning spirit.
She paid attention to the things that other people would have probably overlooked.
She didn’t always speak on it right away, but none of her predictions had been wrong yet.
“Bitch, I said what the fuck I said. Now, we’ll get her laid to rest either way but it’s much easier when people got their shit in order. And it’ll be even better if she left that baby something behind to get her started in life. This is hard on everybody, but that’s what family is for.
Where did Shantel keep all of her important papers and stuff? I know she moved around a lot, so ain’t no telling where her shit at.”
“I have all of Clover’s important documents but I’m not sure about a policy or nothing else. I’ll have to ask Tilly about that. I don’t even know where to start.” Diva dropped her head as more tears saturated the front of her shirt.
“I know it hurts to lose somebody so close to you, but we have to be there for that baby. I hope Tilly let her stay here. She’s too old to be trying to raise kids again. Don’t worry about nothing, I’ll talk to her when she gets here. Let’s just focus on laying her mama to rest first.
This is all so heartbreaking.”
As soon as she said that, Clover was led into the room by Monty and Fonzo. They were in the room talking to her and making sure that she was good.
“Hey, my sweetie. Come here and give me a hug.” Dot opened her arms to embrace Clover.
“Get your overgrown ass up boy!” Hank frowned when Monty ran over and hugged her instead. Dot had him spoiled, so it was nothing for him to be found sitting on her lap on any given day. He towered over his grandmother but he was her big baby.
“Don’t fuss at my baby.” Dot kissed Monty’s cheek before he moved away and let her show Clover some much needed love.
“I don’t want to go live in the country.” Clover buried her face in Dot’s chest and cried.
“You ain’t going nowhere. Don’t you even worry about that. New Orleans is your home.”
Clover was born and raised in New Orleans and that was all that she really knew.
She had aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides back in Georgia and she loved to visit them.
They had fun when they got together but not enough for her to want to live there permanently.
All of her friends were in New Orleans and Diva’s family was just like her own.
She felt right at home with them as if they were blood.
She grew up with them always being around, so it didn’t feel weird.
Her parents did everything with Diva and Hank.
They were like her second set of parents.
Hours later, Hank and Diva’s house was filled with friends and family who wanted to offer their condolences on Shantel’s passing.
Tilly was serious about immediately getting on the road and she was there with some of their other family members before daylight.
The drive was a little over six hours long, but one of her grandsons got her there in a little over five.
Thankfully, Tilly kept up with Shantel’s affairs after Corey passed, the same way she did with him.
She did have life insurance and it was enough for Clover to get a head start in life if she did the right thing with it.
Dot, being as outspoken as she was known to be, laid it out for Tilly right then and there about Clover’s living arrangements.
As much as Tilly loved her grandbaby, she was too old to be starting over with raising kids and she readily agreed to let her live with Hank and Diva.
She made them promise to visit often and call her daily.
Shantel’s sisters were heartbroken over her passing but they all agreed that letting Clover stay in New Orleans was best.
Diva was so grateful for that much and that made her feel so much better.
Hank was happy too and seeing his wife smile was all that mattered.
Hank looked around at all the love that Clover was surrounded by and that was important, seeing as how she had just lost her last living parent.
A few of her cousins drove down with Tilly and that seemed to be exactly what she needed.
She was smiling and behaving like a normal child her age, even if it was temporary.
He was happy that his sons were on board with her living there and embracing her like a sibling.
Well, all but Dash. Hank was hoping that Clover’s living with them wasn’t gonna be a problem for his youngest because that was something that he would just have to get over.
Dash seemed a little distant as he sat in the corner and played on his phone.
He made it clear that he didn’t view Clover as a sibling like his older brothers did, and that was fine.
Hank was hoping that his feelings would change eventually, but only time would tell.