Page 116 of One Good Reason

“Let’s just say they better not push me. Before we go pick Gema up for lunch, I need to run by the courthouse.”

“What you gotta do there?”

“I’m evicting the people my Mama has renting her house out.”

“Legally, can you do that?”

Tossing her head in my direction her eyes slanted. “Of course I can, the house was never supposed to be rented out in the first place. Because I’m human and I have a heart, I’m going to offer them a different option.”

“Which is?” I quizzed.

“My Mama and Joe Lee house,” she let off like it was no big deal.

Baby was feeling a way and that way had her out for blood. I’m happy I forced myself on this impromptu trip with her. Her little ass was about to wreak havoc on her people and I’m sure they couldn’t see it coming.

“Itold you to have her ready. I called you and told you I would be here in less than fifteen minutes,” Talithasnapped. We were planning on pulling up to her moms, grabbing Gema, and heading out for lunch. I chose to stay in the car. Knowing all that I knew about her stepdad, if I saw that nigga, I was going to jaw him and that was some shit that Talitha didn’t need right now.

I had the car window rolled down so I could hear the interactions between her and her mama, for safety precautions of course. Apparently, Gema wasn’t ready even though she knew we were on the way to scoop her. She did that to spite Talitha, and if she knew like I did, she would back off.

When Talitha went to file the eviction paperwork the magistrate informed her that legally she had no grounds to do so unless they had fallen behind. She tried to explain that the house was rented out without her consent, even with that they wouldn’t allow her to do it.

Initially she was pissed but I explained to her that it might be for the best. Her next angle was wanting the money her mother had received from the rental. She was planning on letting her know that if she didn’t give her everything, she’d made up to this point, she would sue her for it.

“Tali, I’m not trying to hear your shit. If you wanna come in and get her dressed, you can do just that. She ain’t ready like I said,” her mama walked back in and slammed the door shut.

Talitha stood there for a beat before jogging down the steps. Standing outside the door, she pulled her hair up into a ponytail and pulled off her jacket. When she started taking off her earrings, I hopped out of the car.

“We not doing that, Talitha.”

“I’m ‘bout to slap fire out this hoe mouth. Not only did she catch an attitude with me but to shut the door in my face. Yeah… She been begging for this ass whooping.” Her hands were shaking as she stood there fussing.

Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, I pulled her into me and wrapped my arms around her waist. “What Corrine say?” Instead of answering she squirmed and tried to get out of my grasp. “What did she say, love?”

“I know what she said, Harvey!” she snapped.

“Alright then. The quicker we get in here and get Gema dressed, the faster we can be out of her presence. You came down here to spend time with your grandmother. All this other bullshit is a ploy to get you to act out of character so she can have a reason to call the police. Stop giving in to her bullshit. That’s exactly what she wants.”

Rolling her eyes, she sucked in a deep breath. “I should’ve left you home.”

“And I would’ve still had to come out here. Somebody would’ve had to bail your hot-headed ass out of jail.”

“She pushes me to that point all the time.”

“Stop giving her that much control and you wouldn’t have to worry about it. Never let the next person see you sweat. They’ll use that shit against you every time. You giving her exactly what she wants.”

“She wants an ass whooping. I ain’t gave her that yet,” she rasped.

“And as long as I’m around, you’re not. Her and her antics are beneath you. Your grandparents raised you better than that. Act like it.” Kissing the back of her head, I let her go.

“I’m good.” She did this little move like she was shaking her anger off. “Come on so I can get my baby dressed and take her to Waffle House.”

CHAPTER 28

Talitha

“Come on, Gema. I guess this will have to do.” I frowned my face up at the outfit my mama had thrown across the bed for Gema to put on. Had I known her ass was going to be this petty, I would’ve stopped and bought her something to wear. Just yesterday she looked presentable and today she gon’ pull out this bullshit.

The black velour track suit was full of lint and looked like some shit that Gema had for a couple of years. Hell, I had never seen it so clearly it was some shit she kept at her house for her.

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