Page 80 of Smoke

I laughed. “I’m sorry. I thought he knew.”

He shook his head. “I should take my gift back, but I’ma let you live. Let me see lil’ mama.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and went to my photo album to show them pictures of Juri.

“She’s so cute and tiny!” Jaeda declared. “Oh, I know you can’t wait for her to come home.”

I nodded. “I really can’t. It was hard walking out of there without her, but I know she’s where she needs to be. She’s got a private room now, so I feel a little better knowing it’s not too many people in and out of her room. The mama in me is readyto go back right now, but your brother insists that I get a good night’s sleep in a real bed.”

“They can be kind of bossy,” Jaeda said, smirking. She swiped the phone, and the picture of Devin and Juri popped up. “Smoke! This is too cute!”

She showed the picture to her siblings, and they all smiled.

“You can barely see her for those big ass hands,” Kerrion jested.

Maceo reached out and covered Korri’s ears with a grin. “You got her resting comfortably on them titties, boy.”

“Maceo!” his mother scolded. “Not in front of the baby!”

“I covered her ears, Ma. Everybody here either has titties or likes titties.” He removed his hands from Korri’s ears. “You didn’t hear that, did you?”

She giggled and shook her head no. Ms. Allison rolled her eyes as she turned to my parents.

“I promise they were raised with some sense.”

My mother laughed. “You haven’t been around this one,” she said, motioning to Renay. “We’re used to the child that says whatever is on their mind.”

Renay scoffed. “I just want to point out that you and Daddy told us never to censor ourselves. I’m just following through.”

Maceo nodded in agreement. “You know what, hell yeah. Y’all can’t tell us stuff like that then fuss when we are exactly who you taught us to be.”

“Period!” Renay and Shar said in unison.

“Aht aht!” Deuce said, going to pull Shar away from my sister. “We’re gonna end this friendship before it gets started. One of you is enough, Sharina.”

The room erupted with nothing but trash talking. I covered my mouth and laughed.

“I think it’s safe to say our families might mesh well,” I said to Devin.

“Too well.” He shook his head. “We can kick them out at any time.”

“No, no. I need this. Thank you, Devin.”

I beckoned him to me for a kiss. I was slowly but surely falling for this man. I couldn’t help myself even if I wanted to.

I watchedRomi opening her baby’s gifts while on the back porch with my brothers, Pops, and Mr. Mitchell. We’d come outside to smoke while she and the women fawned over the presents. It felt good to give her a small slice of happiness in the midst of emotional turmoil.

“Look at this nigga,” Maceo said, slapping my shoulder. “How you feeling, Big Papa?”

I shoved him off. “Shut up.”

“Don’t bitch up on us now.” He looked at Mr. Mitchell. “Aye, my bad, Mr. M. This is just how we talk to each other. It’s our expression of love.”

Mr. Mitchell chuckled. “It’s alright. You’ve met my very expressive Renay. I’m used to colorful language.”

I turned to Mr. Mitchell, thankful Romi wasn’t around for what I was about to ask him.

“Can I ask you something, Mr. Mitchell?”

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