“Hey, baby. Where are you?” Viola asked.
“Down the street from you by my mama.”
“That’s perfect. I need to see you. Come down here.”
“Is everything okay, granny?” The smile fell from Remi’s face and was replaced by a look of concern.
“Yeah, baby, I’ll be downstairs waiting on you.” Viola hung up before she had a chance to reply.
“Everything good, baby?” Blaze saw the change in her mood as soon as she got off the phone.
“I hope so. My granny wants to see me. I’ll be right back.”
Remi walked out of her mother’s house and down the street to her grandmother’s. The door was unlocked, but she paused when she walked in. Ferris was sitting on the sofa next to her grandmother, so she already knew what was up.
“Come sit down right here next to me.” Viola patted the sofa next to her. Remi obeyed her granny’s orders and sat down.
“What’s up, granny?” Remi asked, although she already knew.
“Now, y’all know that I try to mind my own business but not this time. I don’t know what’s going on with y’all but it ends today. Y’all are first cousins and you better act like it. I should have intervened when y’all parents used to stop speaking to each other. It’s too late for them, but I’m not having it with y’all. Now, somebody better say something.”
“Man Remi, I swear, I wasn’t even on no bulls—”
“Watch your mouth, bastard!” Viola cut him off before he even finished his sentence.
“Sorry, granny. But I didn’t know that you and ole boy even knew each other or were messing around. I admit that I kept it to myself for selfish reasons once I found out and, for that, I apologize.”
“It wasn’t even that deep for me, Ferris. I just hate to be left in the dark.”
“I understand that but I don’t think you were dealing with dude when you first saw her here. I swear, Cuz, I would never try to do you dirty on purpose. I’m done with her but I miss you, fam. You’re my favorite cousin.”
“I miss you too. And I know you wouldn’t play no games with me. I was upset, but we’re good, cousin. I forgive you.” Remi pulled him into a hug and they both felt better about making up.
“What was y’all into it for anyway? I hope it wasn’t over that lil funny shaped girl that was sleeping on my floor that day. Looks like I saw her somewhere before.” Viola got up and headed back upstairs.
“Nigga, I should swing on your snitching ass. Got granny calling me for an intervention and shit,” Remi laughed as she punched his arm.
“Man, I didn’t know what else to do since you wouldn’t talk me. And unblock my damn number.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot that I blocked your ass. But now, let’s really talk. What the fuck did you see in that odd body bitch?”
“Not a muthafucking thing! She’s a vet tech so she got me right on some shit.”
Remi nodded her head in understanding. “Yeah, I knew it had to be a reason why you were cheating on my friend.”
“I wasn’t cheating on my baby.”
“I would love to know what you call it.”
“Well, I guess you can say that, but it wasn’t no feelings involved or nothing. I’m done with that dope shit once I get rid of what I have left. I already sent that bitch on her way. I’m trying to settle down and make some babies.”
“It’s about damn time! Monique told me that she’s coming back for a few months to work a contract at a hospital here.”
“Yeah man, I just got approved for a three-bedroom condo.”
“Congrats, cousin. I’m happy for you but granny might not be.”
“I already told her and she was cool. She know I’ll be over here every day to check on her. I got a three-bedroom and Shiva don’t even wanna move in with a nigga. Talking bout she’s not leaving her granny.”