Chapter 12 #2
As August and I stepped back, I smiled at my intrigued cousin.
Closing the door with her foot, Min said, “Why didn’t you tell me that bitch was over here?
We could’ve pulled out teeth and removed fingernails and toenails.
I would’ve had a great time pulling off her eyelashes while we had our cousin time. ”
“Hmm,” Tiberius held out.
Tobias and Thames cleared their throats and looked between August and King.
“You are still on punishment. How the fuck are you talking and driving?” I inquired as a sobbing Amana wrapped her man’s leg.
Min did the dick-sucking motion, causing everyone to howl in laughter.
“Oh. That’s how you got off.” I giggled as Amana looked at me pitifully.
“What the fuck you want, bitch?” I hissed.
“I need help getting him to my car,” she cried, face filled with tears and blood, just like I loved a treacherous motherfucka to look.
“Not our problem, Amana. He walked his ass in here. He need to walk his ass out. I would advise you not to get smart wit’ me.
I’ll dome check you, bitch,” Thiago said seriously, causing Min, King, and me to look at him as he placed his Glock in front of him.
“Move that motherfucka up outta here, bitch. Don’t make me say it again. ”
Nodding, she wrapped her shaky arms around her man.
No one moved, not even Kingsa. We watched Amana’s tears plop on Tim’s head as she dragged him to the door.
I didn’t feel an ounce of remorse for the man who would have skin missing off his ass and the back of his legs.
He should’ve left August Junior alone. He should’ve told the idiot the correct way of handling the approaching August Senior.
Once they were out of my house, Thiago leaned against the doorframe and said, “Amana, you remember, X, right?”
“Yes,” she cried.
“You remember how I roll as far as cars being in a driveway that I pull up in, right?”
“I do,” she sobbed.
“Do I need to give her that car’s tag number?” Thiago asked smoothly.
“No, Thiago. Please don’t do that,” she whined, making me sick.
“Good. Better stick to y’all’s asses got mugged,” he demanded.
“We will.” She choked up.
When he closed the door, Thiago looked at me. Pointing his pinky finger at me, he said, “Readin’ time. Let’s make it happen.”
Nodding, I said, “Okay. Um, are you okay?”
“Yes.” He nodded, walking toward the couch.
“I beg to differ.”
“Get yo’ study stuff, Mona,” August demanded sternly, causing me to nod and walk to our room. I never stopped looking at Thiago as he dapped August Junior and smiled at Momma Orthella.
“Momma Orthella, sorry fo’ cussin’ like that. I hate that skeezah. I been wantin’ to dome check her. August keep me from doing it,” he offered as I slowed my strides.
Patting his leg, she smiled. “He did the right thing. Bitches like that ain’t worth a bullet. They need life to beat they asses. Ah, today is yo’ ‘me’ day, huh?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He exhaled sharply as I neared the top of the hallway.
“How is yo’ self-care day?”
“It’s going good. But when this medicine wear off, folks ain’t gon’ sleep peacefully when I’m done flickin’ crumbs in they face.
Ain’t a piece of they bed gon’ be safe to sleep in.
Red ants gon’ be all in it. I’mma jump on they furniture while whackin’ ‘em wit’ a whip I bought from a yard sale this morning,” he said seriously, causing me to laugh and wonder what medication he was on and why.
The Augusts laughed.
Momma Orthella giggled.
His brothers sighed heavily.
King chuckled. “Medication? Nigga, what you on?”
“That hyper stuff fo’ A.D.H.D.,” he answered, causing me to spin on my heels.
“You have A.D.H.D.?” Min, King, and I asked, stunned.
“Yep.”
“You always been off the wall since we were little. Why you never said anything about it?” King inquired as I landed in the front room, eyeing the calm man.
“Too many people knowin’ stuff can go to the left. I trust no one here gon’ speak on it, right?” he asked, staring at us.
“Right,” Min, King, and I replied, smiling at him.
“Good. Better enjoy me like this. When I come off this med, I’mma be Hell. Mona, go get them books, nih. My brothers know what time it’s gon’ be when I open my eyes innamornin’. They need alla they rest,” he said seriously as his siblings removed their shoes and sighed in exhaustion.
“Okay,” I replied, running to the master bedroom to retrieve my vocabulary, English, and reading book.
“Are y’all still stayin’ at Thea’s house the night after yo’ ‘me’ time?” Momma Orthella inquired warmly.
“That’s mandatory,” The Quad Ts announced as I slid into the master bedroom. Hurriedly, I snatched the books from the dresser. I didn’t want to miss a piece of the conversation.
“Why?” Min inquired as I ran into the hallway.
“When I wake up, I’m on two hunnid.”
“What time do you take the medicine?” King inquired as the adults walked into the kitchen.
“Six a.m., two p.m., and eight p.m.”
“Why those times?” I asked as August pulled out a chair for me.
“Has always been my times.”
“What time do you wake up the next day?” I inquired as we took up residence wherever we saw fit in the large kitchen.
“‘Bout sem.”
“My God. And you be on the go from seven in the morning until you pass out?” King held out as Tiberius, Thames, and Tobias pointed at the liquor stash.
“Sure,” I told them, stacking my books, notebook and pen closer to me.
“I be wearin’ they asses out. Momma look like a stressed-out frog when I finally pass out. My brothers be musty everywhere when I plop wherever my legs give out at,” he offered, causing me to stifle my laughter.
“Have as many shots as y’all need.” August offered.
“Thanks,” they replied as Thiago looked at me.
Staring deep into my eyes, he said, “I’m smart, but my mind be everywhere.
You smart too. You gotta slow yo’ mind down.
You’on have A.D.H.D. Yo’ past life of havin’ to survive as you saw fit got yo’ mind on the go.
You ain’t gotta worry ‘bout nobody comin’ fo’ you fo’ what took place in Georgia or the shit that happened here.
Let yo’ mind go blank. Focus on masterin’ this readin’ an’ comprehension thing.
So, we can slide through yo’ G.E.D. graduation if they got one.
If not, I’mma host a G.E.D. graduation fo’ you.
That bitch gon’ be blowed, an’ I ain’t gon’ be on no meds.
Meanin’, we gon’ turn that thang out. No churren, not even mine gon’ be there.
I’on wanna pluck na’an child of the dance flo’ like a flea ‘cause they done slid across my new shoes, puttin’ ant ass an’ antennas on my shits. ”
As we laughed, Tiberius spat liquor on the counter. I nodded, winked, and said, “Sounds good to me.”
When the laughter simmered, I felt it was a great time to tell him what I did without August’s help. August didn’t know I’d done a major thing I’d once wanted him to do for me.
Tapping my nails against the table as I opened the notebook, I smiled.
“Even though Laysha sent an email to the Social Security Administration, I did as well. I wanted to make sure my parents are held responsible for their actions. Plus, I wanted to prove to myself that I could send a business email, and I didn’t have to use fancy words. ”
“What?” everyone, minus Thiago, inquired, shocked, looking at me.
Smiling, he asked, “How many red lines you saw?”
“None.” I grinned as he nodded approvingly.