Page 81 of Betrothed To Love

“One of you get up and let Shuga sit,” he says.

“Yeah, get y’all asses up,” Shiro adds.

TJ starts to get up, but Shuga stops him. “Sit right there, TJ. I’m fine here. I can see all of your handsome and pretty faces.” She sips from her tea then babysits the cup. “I want to start by saying that this is my house and I want you to respect it.” There are collective grunts of confusion at her words. Even I raise my eyebrows.

’Cause what does that mean?

“Just listen. I want to make sure whatever I say or whatever happens, you all remain the gentlemen I raised you to be,” she continues and I reach over and cover Quintus’s hand resting on his thigh with mine. “Promise me that,” she says and they nod. “No. I need you to say it and mean it.”

“Promise.”

“I promise.”

“A’ight, promise.”

In some form, all of her sons and grandsons promise to be gentlemen and she keeps going. “In a few minutes, A⁠—”

Her words are cut off by the doorbell. Shiro, Ace, and Quintus stand to answer, but she waves them down. “They’re early and I’m getting the door,” she announces.

“What the hell is going on?” Tre asks as soon as she’s out of the living room.

“And who the hell is ringing the damn doorbell at nine on a Sunday night?” Shiro adds.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what Shuga’s got going on,” Ace adds while shaking his head. What’s going on becomes painfully clear when she walks in with Asali a few steps behind her. “I know like hell,” Ace groans.

“What the fuck!” Quintus and Shiro say at the same damn time.

“I know you not taking this bitch ass nigga back,” Tre grits.

“I’m not going to take too much of this,” Asali barks.

Wrong move!

I swear Quintus and his brothers stand up at the same damn time, ready to pounce on Asali, but Shuga quickly positions her small frame in front of Asali and holds her hands out as if she can stop her homegrown linemen from attacking their father.

“Boys! You promised!” she yells. Then in the sternest Black mother voice I’ve ever heard, she quickly adds, “Now!”

Reluctantly and begrudgingly, one by one they slowly sit as if each is trying to be the last man standing. Quintus is last though and he only sits when I tug at his shirt. Asali snakes an arm around Shuga, and hell, this time I want to stand in protest.

I know she didn’t take him back.

Not the Shuga I know.

Not Nina Wright.

“This is my wife and my house. Remember that shit,” Asali proclaims and Shuga quickly snatches out of his arms. “Not anymore it isn’t!” she screams and I damn near jump up.

I know that’s right.

“What?” Asali asks, clearly confused and surprised at the words. “That’s why you called.”

“No, it isn’t. I called because just like you revealed your truth, I need to reveal mine to you and them,” she says and I feel Quintus’s entire body stiffen. He looks at me then back at his parents. My hand returns to his thigh for comfort.

“What are you talking about?” Asali scoffs.

“This is my house. I—” she begins but Asali fires off a question before she can finish.

“And how you gon’ pay for the mortgage without me? The bills? All that shit. You need me, Shuga.”