Page 61 of No Remedy for Love

“You’re absolutely right but, when eight kids can’t even come together to make sure that their mother gets to and from a fucking doctor’s appointment, it became my job and my responsibility,” Blaze snapped as his mother and aunties audibly gasped. He was pissed and being respectful was nowhere on his mind.

“Baby,” Remi whispered as she rubbed his back lovingly. Blaze was the sweetest man that she’d ever met but his temper could go from calm to chaotic in a matter of seconds, especially when it came to his grandmother.

“I’m good, love and I apologize for my language Nana. I’m just trying to get to the real reason for this impromptu visit.”

Blaze was no fool and he knew exactly what they wanted. They didn’t give a damn about his grandmother’s condition or her care. They wanted to see what they stood to gain once she passed on but they were wasting his time and their own. In his opinion, nobody gave a fuck until she won that money at the casino.

“Again, we didn’t come here for an argument,” Nat reiterated.

“And I damn sure didn’t come here to be disrespected.” Flo was ready to snap on her foul mouth nephew.

“You gotta give it to get it.” Blaze shrugged like it was simple.

“We’ve heard everything that you had to say, but mama ain’t utter a word. How do you feel about all of this, mama? Now, we’ve been discussing some things and one of us is prepared to move in to help take care of you.”

Although her oxygen was assisting her, Bertha looked like she couldn’t breathe. She would have much rather for God to call her home than to be taken care of by any one of her kids. “My baby is doing a good job of taking care of me. He’s the boss over all of my important stuff.”

“That’s just it mama, Blaze is not your baby. He’s not one of your children.” Flo was the mouthpiece while Jean and Nat only nodded in agreement. She hated when her mother called Blaze her baby because that’s exactly how she treated him and always had.

“I know that, but it don’t make no sense to switch up nothing when everything is going good. He would have to teach one of y’all what he already knows. He’s been doing it for a long time now.”

“What about the house and stuff? Who is gonna take ownership of it if anything happens to you?”

“Oh okay, now, we’re getting to the real reason for y’all visit.” Blaze smirked because he already knew what was up.

“Look, I’m not feeling good right now. I don’t wanna discuss none of that.” Bertha’s breathing seemed to change and her chest started rising and falling rapidly. Remi jumped up to check on her since none of her daughters never made a move.

“Y’all gotta go!” Blaze yelled angrily.

“Excuse you?” Flo looked at him like he was crazy.

“I didn’t stutter. Coming here with this foolishness got her all upset and shit. She might be back in the hospital tonight messing with y’all.”

“Come on Flo. We don’t want to make matters worse.” Nat grabbed her sister’s hand and pulled her towards the front door.

“We’ll call and check on you later, mama,” Jean said as she followed her sisters out.

Blaze locked up and rushed back into the room where his grandmother was. He was shocked to see her laughing and talking with Remi like nothing was wrong.

“How you feeling, Nana?” Blaze leaned down next to her.

“What time is the food gonna be done? I’m hungry.”

“Her faking self,” Remi laughed.

“But I proved Blaze’s point, didn’t I? Not one of them tried to check on me. If I was having trouble breathing, I would have been dead by now. I don’t want none of their asses moving in here with me. This is my baby’s house.”

“This lady.” Blaze shook his head at how theatrical his grandmother could be.

“What about the casino? I don’t have to play the machines. I just wanna spin the wheel. They only allow you to do it once a week and I haven’t been in a while. Please, Blaze, we can leave right after.”

Blaze looked at Remi to see what she thought. She always told him that his grandmother could still do certain things as long as she was up to it. She just didn’t want her to pushher body to the limit. When she nodded, he conceded to his grandmother’s wishes.

“Alright Nana, we’ll bring you to spin the wheel and that’s it.”

“Let me go put on my lucky earrings. I’m gonna win the jackpot, I can feel it.”

Remi laughed when Ms. Bertha came back wearing the ugliest colorful dice earrings that she’d ever seen. They all sat down to eat before going to the casino to let her spin the wheel.

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