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ChapterEleven
TATI
Tati
“We’re going to have to do something about the Lady OGs,” Brandon said quietly, prompting me to look up from where I’d been tucking into my plate.
It was much later in the day now – night, actually – and I was at my mother’s house, where Brandon and his mom had popped up so Randy – Brandon’s mother – could show Mama something.
“What makes you say that?” I asked him, keeping my face completely serious, even though I already knew the funny ass answer.
He scoffed, instantly catching on to the fact that I was about to fuck with him, muttering something under his breath about “goddamntooth gems”.
Tooth gems!
That was the “dental procedure” Randy had dragged Brandon to the dentist with her for, and honestly… I thought it was the funniest shit in the world. Her little bit of anesthesia had worn off now, but not enough for her to drive, so she’d made him bring her by to show off.
“Itlooks good,” I insisted, because it did, and she was so happy with it.
I didn’t personally understand the appeal of the tiny diamonds embedded in her teeth now, but it was certainly quite blingy and pretty. I already had a feeling I’d be getting dragged to the dentist next, to holdmymama’s hand while she got hers done.
“You’re such a hater,” I told Brandon, nudging his shoulder while our mothers chattered away across the garden about the things they had coming up.
He frowned at me.“I’ma hater? They’re wildin! The new bikes they got, the hair, nowtooth gems?” He looked over at where they were standing, then leaned into me a bit more. “You know she’s talking about a fucking tummy tuck? Atummy tuck! What she need that for?”
“If you’re jealous that your mom wants to be a badder bitch than you, just say that,” I teased, making his frown go even deeper. “Seriously, I don’t understand what the problem is. They’re grieving and getting through it the best way they know how. They need something to do.”
“They could be part of the club!”
I shook my head. “It’s too painful, Brandon. It’s barely been a year sinceThe Fall, and… their wishes were clear. The death of our fathers meantwetook over, so no manner of poking, or prodding, or trying to get them to change their minds is gonna work. This is their retirement. And if they want to use their time and money getting nipped, tucked, lifted, buying bundles, I’m not about to hate on it. They’ve been through a lot.”
He sighed. “I’m just saying…who they trying to look good for?”
That made me raise my eyebrows.
Suddenly… I understood his real issue a bit more.
I put an arm around his neck, leaning into him. “She’s not trying to get over your dad already. You know that, right?” I asked. “Not in the way you’re thinking. If shewas,she’d be well within her rights, but I don’t think it’s that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Those niggas weresotouchy feely with them, so free with the compliments and affection... but they don’t have that anymore. They’re just trying to feel good about themselves on their own. All the little insecurities they were constantly reassured about, their husbands aren’t here to quiet the noise anymore,” I explained. “We can’t be pissy about them doing what they need to do to be okay. Nobody is being pissy with us for this whole war we’re starting ’cause our daddies died, so we can shut the hell up about Randy’s tummy tuck, Carmen’s butt lift, whatever the hell they want to do.”
“Butt lift?!” Blue groaned. “Ah, hell.”
“Is that really all you heard nigga?”
“No,” he insisted. “I’m just saying—”
“Nothing. As long as they are being safe, we are going to let these girls do whatever the hell they want. Okay?” I asked, and he shook his head as he glanced at his phone.
“Man, whatever.”
“I know it’s whatever.” I laughed. “Don’t be a hater.”
He smirked at me. “Nah,youdon’t be a hater,” he countered.
“What does that even mean?” I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
