Page 26 of Where Is the Love

“Did he say what it was about?”

“He did, but he swore me to secrecy. You’ll find out in a little bit. I’m trying to forget that I even know.”

“That bad?”

“Not for us, but for someone else.”

Her eyes softened, and I could see that she’d figured out it had something to do with Brix.Why else would Jakari have told me? Duh, Jess.I might as well had just told her. She stood from the toilet seat and said, “Well, I’m gonna go eat something right quick and let you get dressed. Was there anything else you wanted to say to me, baby?”

She lifted her hand to my cheek, and I leaned against it and closed my eyes. Despite everything, Jenahra Wothyla was my hero. I was a strong woman because of her. “No, ma’am. Just that I love you.”

“I love you too, baby. Enjoy your date.”

“I will.”

When she left out, I went to the bedroom to put on my undergarments. She reappeared in the room though. “I forgot to ask. Why are you in here and not in your bedroom?”

I took a deep breath. “I get anxiety. I feel like I’m suffocating in there.”

I didn’t have to say another word. She knew exactly why. The tears sprang from her eyes. “I should have remodeled your room too. I didn’t think you were as affected as I was. That was so stupid. I’m so sorry, Jess. When y’all head back to Houston, I’ll get someone to work on it.”

I gave her a slight smile. “It’s okay. I should have said something when you were remodeling years ago. Thanks, Mama.”

I went to her and hugged her, although I was naked as the day I was born. I was always comfortable around her while I was naked, because Joseph stayed his ass in our business unless I was naked. He’d walked in on me one time because his ass didn’t believe in knocking on a door in his house. I’d developed at a young age, so he got an eyeful and had the nerve to curse at us like it was somehow our fault.

After that, we figured out how to communicate without him being in our business. We either waited until he wasn’t home, or we talked while I was taking a shower. She kissed my cheek and said, “Hurry and get ready so you won’t keep Brix waiting.”

“Jenahra!”

I lowered my head and chuckled as my mama rolled her eyes. Uncle Storm was downstairs yelling. That was what she got for letting him use the diner as his headquarters. I was trying to figure out what the hell he needed a headquarters for. He was so damn extra. I hurriedly went to the bathroom and did my makeup, being sure it was flawless, and made sure my ponytail still looked fresh, then put on my dress, shoes, and switched purses.

When I made my way down, Uncle Storm was still here, pacing in the family room. “Storm, calm down. They are at that age now.”

He frowned hard. “They are sixteen! That is not old enough to be dating a college freshman. That boy gon’ get fucked up! Dead man walking. He getting one warning. He don’t take heed, that’s his ass.”

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Baby, you look beautiful!”

“Thanks, Mama.”

“Noni is texting this guy in college! I’m tryna figure out how the fuck they even meet! She don’t hardly go nowhere.”

“Have you asked her?”

“No. She’s with Aspen in Houston. Oh, but wait until they get back. I’m gon’ be all in her shit! She must’ve forgotten I can look at all their contacts. When I called that nigga, he had the nerve to chuckle. I bet he wasn’t chuckling when he heard me loading my gun. I shot that shit while he was on the phone. Pussy ass got quiet as hell too.”

“How old is he, Unc?”

“Nineteen! My girls are virgins, and they gon’ stay that way! They can’t date until they get married. Period!”

I frowned as I repeated what he said in my mind. “What?”

“You heard me right! That means their asses are mine. They’ll never date. Fuck they think this is.” He slid his hand down his face and huffed. “Come on, Jenahra, so we can get to the meeting.” Turning his attention to me, he said, “You look good. It’s too late to tellyouto stay wholesome.”

I rolled my eyes and pushed his shoulder. “That’s why yo’ daughter dating a grown ass nigga.”

That shit wiped the smile right off his face as I laughed. “A’ight, Jess! Play with something safe. That shit ain’t it!” he said as he pointed at me.