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“You’ve gotta do what’s best for you. I don’t really know what to say because she’s dead to me. There isn’t anything she can ever say to make me want to mend shit with her. She would be better off acting as if she doesn’t have a son.” I expressed.

“I hear what you’re saying, and I’ve been there myself. I’m not saying I want to forgive and forget, but I don’t want anger and resentment to hinder me as a wife or mother. There are a lot of things I want to know, and she’s the only person who can answer those questions for me.”

I nodded even though I didn’t agree.

“Momma. Mom. Baldie!” Deuce yelled while Yaya was talking. I probably shouldn’t have laughed, but she shouldn’t have ignored him.

“Don’t make me pop you in front of all of these people. I already told you when you want my attention, you need to say, “Excuse me,” and then I’ll answer you.”

Deuce looked between the two of us, and I already knew he was about to be on good bullshit.

“Daddy said if I want your attention, I should call you Scalpiana. Can we get a funnel cake?”

I turned my head to hide the smirk on my face, but I could feel the heat from Yaya’s glare.

“You and your funky daddy are gonna end up homeless messing with me. My name is momma or mommy to you. I don’t know why you and your daddy insist on calling me bald when my hair is literally down my back.” Yaya scoffed as she flipped her hair.

“But that’s not your hair. Daddy said you got it from da swamp meep.” Deuce replied with curiosity in his tone.

“The what?” Yaya shrieked.

Deuce huffed as if she was getting on her nerves, and I could no longer hold in my laughter.

“Da swamp meep, momma.”

When he rolled his eyes, I lost it.

“Yo, nephew said that shit with confidence too.” I roared with laughter.

“And you’re sitting here laughing like shit is sweet. I swear I’m beating Messiah’s ass because he thinks it's funny.” Yaya fussed.

When she pulled out her phone, I already knew who she was about to call. The moment my brother-in-law's face appeared on the camera, I shook my head.

“Hey, is everything okay? Did something happen?” Messiah asked with concern.

“Naw, nothing happened yet, but you might want to call the police before I get to you because I’ma wear you out.” Yaya spat.

“Woah, what did I do? I told you I was gonna give you a round two when I get back from open gym.” Messiah was oblivious to the reason for her anger.

“Boy, fuck you. Why did I tell your missing side-tooth having son that I get my wigs from the swap meet? I promise, you are lucky I love and respect Mama E because we’re not even gonna talk about her and that shake-and-go wig she likes to slap on her head. You and your Cheeto-fingered son need to stop playing with me.”

Yaya checked him through the phone as I held my stomach from laughing so hard.

Messiah burst out laughing, but quickly got himself together when he realized my sister wasn't laughing.

“I’m sorry, baby. I was having some fun with my son, and I didn’t expect him to take our conversation outside of the man-cave. You know I never cared about where your wigs come from; you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

“Messiah, cut the shit.”

“Shit!” Cherish shouted with excitement.

“See! You’re out there cussing around my innocent babies.”

“There is nothing innocent about Denis the Menace and Angelica Pickles. I’m sick of all of y’all. I swear, this next baby better come out on their best behavior, or I’m packing up and leaving all of y’all behind. I’m sure someone will have mercy on a single father of three and take care of y’all.” Yaya vented.

My brows dipped as I picked up on a piece of information I wasn't aware of.

“I’m sorry, baby. I promise we don’t mean to stress you out. We’ll do better. What do you want me to do? Buy your Shein cart or get those bundles from Tarika on the southside?”