Page 112 of Promised To A Menace

We laughed as we gathered the rest of the groceries and headed back inside. By the time we made it to the kitchen, my mama had already cleared a section of the counter and was looking through the cabinets.

“Where you keep your pots at?” she asked without turning around.

“Bottom cabinet by the stove.”

She went straight to it, pulling out what she needed while Kayla and I placed the bags on the counter.

“Alright, y’all know what to do. Start taking this stuff out so we can get this food cooking.”

I glanced over at Kayla, who was already shaking her head.

“See what I mean?” she whispered.

“Girl, just unload the bags and shut the fuck up,” I whispered back.

I laughed and started unloading the groceries while my mama got herself situated at the stove. It didn’t take long before all three of us were moving around the kitchen, talking shit and helping her get everything together. And for the first time in a minute, I wasn’t thinking about my daddy, David, or any of the other bullshit I’d been dealing with. I was just enjoying having my mama and sister around, and right then, that was exactly what I needed.

By the time we finished getting everything together and started fixing our plates, my phone went off on the counter. I picked it up and smiled when I saw Cassian’s name across the screen.

Y'all good over there?

Yeah, we're good.

Good. Y'all saving me some food, right?

Nope. We gone eat all this shit up.

Baby mama, don't play with me. I'll come over there and shut all that shit down.

No, you won't.

You wanna test that?

Whatever. Ain't you supposed to be eating at your parents' house?

Yeah, but I still want some of what your mama cooking. And a little dessert when I get home.

Boy, please. You can't get no more of this.