Page 38 of When a Soul Cries

“You told her you *might* come back,” I managed through my laughter, “and now you watching the clock?”

“I ain’t watching no fucking clock.”

All three of us looked at the phone in his hand.

Rome looked down too, realized he'd fucked himself, and slowly slid it into his pocket.

I nearly folded.

“Boy, you got it BAD!”

“Fuck you.”

Mama grabbed the counter, laughing. “My baby got a crush.”

Rome headed for the door before we could embarrass him any further.

“Rome!” Mama called.

He turned.

“Be nice to Sol!”

His eyes closed.

“MAMA!”

“What? I’m just saying!”

“You don’t even know her!”

“I might soon!”

I was damn near crying.

Rome pointed at me. “Laugh all you want. Your ass still gotta get her butter.”

My laughter died.

Mama looked at me.

Rome smiled.

“Have fun.”

“Bitch.”

Mama smacked me again.

“Stop calling your brother a bitch.”

“Why you keep hitting me?”

“Because you keep being hittable. Now go get my butter. And my hair grease!”

I headed for the door.

“And don’t come back with no Blue Magic!”