Page 273 of When a Soul Cries

Her whole expression changed.

She looked from the bag to Sol like Sol had personally offended her. “What is that?”

Sol glanced down at the strap resting against her shoulder. “Halo’s overnight bag.”

“I know it’s a bag. Why you bringing it in my house?”

Sol blinked, clearly confused by the question. “Because… she needs her stuff?”

Sugga stared at her, then at me, then slowly back at Sol. “Y’all think my grandbaby ain’t got nothing over here?”

“Mama—”

“Roman, shut up.”

I pressed my lips together and lifted my hands, already knowing there was no point arguing with her.

Sugga shifted Halo higher on her hip and started counting on her fingers. “Diapers. Wipes. Clothes. Shoes. Pajamas. Bubble bath. Lotion. Snacks. Sippy cups. Medicine. Thermometer. Toys. Books. And she got her own crib.”

My eyebrows went up. “Her own crib?”

“Mind your business.”

Sol started laughing, the sound soft at first before it grew when I looked at my mama like she had lost her damn mind.

“And she probably got more clothes over here than she got at y’all house,” Sugga added, smoothing Halo’s curls away from her forehead.

“First of all, ain’t no y’all house.”

Sugga’s eyes slid toward Sol before coming back to me.

“Mmm-hmm.”

I knew that look. “Mama.”

“I ain’t said nothing.”

Sol turned her face away, shoulders shaking with another laugh.

Sugga waved me off like I was interrupting something important. “Gone. Me and my baby got plans.”

“What plans?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

“None of your business.”

“She one.”

“And?”

The way she said it made Sol cover her mouth.

There wasn’t shit I could say to that.

Sugga looked at Sol instead, her voice softening immediately. “Baby, put that bag right back in the car. Don’t worry about my baby. She got everything she needs, probably more than she got at y’all house.”

I saw Sol’s smile falter just a little.

It happened so fast Sugga probably missed it.