Page 17 of When Darkness Comes Knocking
“That lil bitch lying!” Myron yelled.
Before I knew it, I pulled my gun out and aimed at him. “Call her a bitch again. Do it! I fucking dare you. I’ll shoot you right in that drunk ass brain of yours.”
Myron’s eyes widened in shock until his brows merged in anger. His hands twitched at his side. No words left his mouth though.
“That’s exactly what I thought. I’m done playing games with you. You get yo’ raggedy ass off my property. Take yo’ nappy-headed and dirty ass son too. The next time I see either of you on my property, I will shoot first and ask questions later. Kids go in the house now!”
They did as I commanded. Slowly, Myron and AJ walked backward through their littered and funky yard and back to their home. I lowered my gun.
“This ain’t over! Believe me!” Myron hollered.
“If there’s a third time, dirt will surely be thrown on your face and not mine!” I spat. I left him outside talking to himself as I entered my kitchen and locked the door.
I strolled in the living room where my babies sat. They looked so upset and frustrated, and I hated that for them. I took a seat on the couch and hugged my girls tightly.
“JJ, I’m so damn proud of you for defending your family. You’re so brave and strong. If there are any future incidents with them, y’all come and get me. As the adult, let me handle it.
“My apologies for pulling my weapon out in front of y’all, but y’all know I have weapons to protect y’all. It’s always only been us, and I have to do everything in my power to keep y’all safe.”
Tahari sniffled. “I don’t wanna live here anymore. I wanna go back to our old house. Nobody bothered us there.”
I kissed the top of her heads. “I’m sorry you feel that way, honey. I really am.
“But y’all know we can’t go back. I explained to y’all that once we’re out of the Section 8 system, it’s damn near impossible to get back in. Moving forward, we bought this home. This is our home.
“I’m not letting that drunk run us away. If we do, we’ll have nowhere to go. We don’t run. Now, we’re going to get dressed and go down to our local police station to make a report. Afterwards, we’ll go for pizza and bowling. How does that sound?”
All of them sat up now. They loved bowling. My kids were really great at it. Bowling was our safe space.
“I’m down,” Tahari voiced first.
“Me too,” JJ and Tahiri announced together.
I laughed at them. “Alright then, let’s get up and head out.” The girls raced upstairs, and I pulled JJ in for a tight hug.
“Thank you for all that you do for our family. I’m really grateful to have you as my son. I love you, JJ.”
“I love you too, Mama.” He walked away and up the stairs to get dressed. I followed behind him and locked my weapon up. I had a weapon in my car, next to my seat, so I didn’t need that one.
Minutes later, we were all dressed and headed out. I stopped by the station and made my report, then we bowled. It was a great time. By the time we made it home, it was evening and dark out.
We had a blast together. Now all I wanted was to dive in my bed and wrap up in my covers. I let the kids in first.
“JJ, can you take the garbage out?”
“I’m on it,” he replied.
“Girls, shower before y’all get in bed.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they responded together.
I put my things away and started on the kitchen. As I loaded the dishwasher, JJ walked back in.
“Mama, we got a big problem.”
“What’s wrong, son?”
“That crazy man ripped up and destroyed the twins’ playground,” JJ professed.
