"Jay, what type of oatmeal do you want, boo?"

I looked up at my mama as she moved around the kitchen getting things ready for breakfast. I adjusted Sahill in my arms as I fed him. He was so greedy that he was chunkier than Silas. That's the only way we can tell them apart. "Apple and cinnamon."

"You want toast and sausage too?"

I nodded my head. "Yes ma'am. What time does the interview air?"

"At eight, which is why I'm trying to get breakfast started."

I pulled the bottle out of Sahil's mouth, seeing that it was empty. I pushed his transparent binky into his mouth before he even started fussing and laid him across the burping blanket that I had draped across my left shoulder. I rubbed his back in circles and patted it lightly until he burped, which didn't take him long. I looked down, taking note of him falling asleep, so I stood up and walked into the living room where both bassinets were placed. One was at the end and the other was up top. Silas was sound asleep in his, so I placed Sahil down and eased away from the living room.

My mama called my name, and I already knew what she wanted. I walked towards the refrigerator and grabbed the yogurt and granola from the pantry. I grabbed four plastic bowls and placed them on the kitchen table. I scratched my head and frowned. "Ma, can you help me wash my hair later today?"

"Yes, are you off today?"

I nodded my head and grabbed a personal bottle of apple juice from the beverage fridge before sliding back onto the bench. "Yes ma'am. The person I was filling in for is finally back. I need the company card too, because you know, the afternoon programs are about to start back up and I need to get the art supplies for my class."

She nodded her head. "Ok boo. Remind me or your daddy later."

We were a couple minutes into the interview, and I was very intrigued. It's not everyday you see an African American man on television dressed to the 9s with 2 carat earrings, an Audemars Piguet watch, and the matching bracelet unless he was an athlete tap dancing for the white man. I was proud of my father nonetheless, because it's not everyday a black man gains his freedom back and gets to walk freely. Another reason that Mama was about to create a program under her name to help those like she helped Pops. He may have been fortunate enough to go through everything, but those after him aren't.

As I listened to my Pop's voice flow through the TV, I couldn't help but focus my attention on the reporter. Ms. Orianne Wright, Jr. It was nice to finally put a name to the face that has been occupying my mind for the last week and a half. I'd be a fool to not remember her.

"Who's your biggest inspiration?"

That was one of the questions my father was asked, and I smiled at his answer.

"My wife. That's my heart and then some. Outside of our kids, she's my biggest blessing."

"Sincere! You need to cut it out before I give you another one! This interview was about you, and yet all you did was talk about us. I'm finna cry."

I busted out laughing once she wrapped him with a pillow, making him grab her and engulf her in his arms. "I had nothing to do with that. You have got to talk to Ms. Wright! I liked that she did it that way, though. She asked a few questions about my case, but she kept it to a minimum. She wanted to know Xavier West, not Xavier the "serial killer."

I was in awe once she changed the focus of the interview. After she asked those few questions, she moved on to ask about Mama, his grandparents, No Child Left Behind and so on. If you didn't know, you wouldn't be able to tell that this was her first assignment. Baby was in her element and she knew it.

The ringing of my phone pulled me from my thoughts, and since I was so focused on the TV, I just swiped the bar over, not even bothering to look at the ID. "Speak."

The sound of lips smacking made me roll my eyes. Damn, I should've looked at the caller ID.

"That's how you answer the phone now?"

I scoffed. "For you, yea. What I tell you about calling me from all these unknown numbers? I blocked you for a reason."

She smacked her lips again, making me cringe. I shook my head because I don't even remember what I saw in shorty. Maybe it was the head, but hell, I don't know.

"You still not over that? Are we still on this? I SAID I WAS SORRY!"

I moved the phone away from my ear, frowning. "You do realize it's like 9 something in the morning, right? All the yelling is really unnecessary, and if you want to keep acting dumb, then that's on you because I told you what we had was over. You cheated on me. Did you forget that? It's okay because I know you won't forget this though."

I hung up and blocked the number before putting my phone on do-not-disturb. I felt my parents, more so my mama's eyes, on me, but I didn't bother looking their way.

"Jay! I go potty!"

I looked down, and Emmie's bad self was tapping my leg. I outstretched my arms, reaching for her, and we left the living room, heading down the hall to the guest bathroom. Our parents started potty training the first of the year because they knew changing three diapers was going to be a hassle. I placed her on her feet and stood at the door as I watched her pull her pull-up down. She wasn't all the way there, but she was getting the gist of it. It's not every day she'll have an accident. She sat on her little purple toilet that Momo bought for her. I grabbed the pack of wipes from the shelf and squatted in front of her–wiping. I helped her pull the pull-up back up.

She loved the water, so I sat her on the sink so we could wash our hands.

"Jayden O'mari West! Come get this dumbass little girl before I go to jail!"

I heard my mama shout and couldn't do anything but sigh and throw my head back in frustration because why me lord? I looked down and Emmie was already looking at me. She shrugged her shoulders, and I couldn't do anything but laugh. Sis was too cool for me. I placed her on her feet and followed behind her as she ran down the hall.

"Where is she at, Ma?" I asked as I pulled up my falling sweatpants.

"At the gate, your daddy is out there already. He wouldn't let me go."

I laughed when she rolled her eyes and huffed. The lady was crazy. I made my way to the foyer and slipped my feet into my mama's Gucci slides before walking out the huge door. I walked down the sidewalk, down the hill, and pushed the gate open. I looked at my Pops and he looked at me.

"Get rid of her before I call our security. Too early in the morning for her nonsense."

I gave him a look to call anyway because I wasn't about to stand out here and talk to someone who doesn't even have the brain power or capacity to comprehend simple logic. He walked away, and I focused my attention on Kambria. "Are you dumb or slow? Like, which one is it? Let me know so I can understand you better because, obviously, you're not understanding me."

She jerked her head back and frowned. "Did you just call me dumb?"

"Yes." I said nonchalantly.

She raised her hand as if she was about to smack me, but I dodged the hit, grabbing her wrist in midair. I nodded my head and laughed, letting my tongue run across my bottom lip.

"Yea, you're dumber than I thought. I can literally ruin your life with one phone call, and yet you want to raise your hand at me? Idiotic. You cheated on me, Kambria, not the other way around. One and done, shawty. I told you that. When it comes to cheating, there ain't no second chances and I don't do get back. I hope you have a blessed day because my uncles are about to escort you off our property."

I saluted her and walked back through the gate, locking it behind me before walking back up the hill. I laughed once I saw my mama standing on the steps with Em attached to her hip. Bad self needs to be walking.

"You might as well get ready to get a restraining order because she's not gonna stop. It took everything in me not to walk down that hill once she raised her hand. This is strike 1, strike 2. I'm calling PawPaw." She rolled her eyes hard and mugged me, making me sigh.

"It's been two months since we broke up. I don't know what's wrong with her, but it's getting on my nerves." I spoke out as I scratched my scalp. I removed the bun, letting my hair breathe until I washed it.

"Oh, you know what's wrong. It's only a couple of reasons a deluded girl is going to act like that over a man." She smiled sarcastically and tipped her head to the side.

I busted out laughing once I caught on. "Nah, this ain't that. We never did it. She performed fellatio, though. She was too eager for me. I mean, she was talking about babies and everything, so I already knew what type of time she was on. These girls only want me for my money, Mama."

I expressed myself and chuckled a little, obviously feeling a type of way before heading into the house. I kicked her slides off my feet and began climbing the stairs. I removed my sweats—leaving my hoodie on—tossing them into my dirty clothes basket before climbing into bed. I figured I'd go back to sleep and handle my business when I woke up.

"Ouch! Ma dang! You know, I'm tender-headed." I frowned as she detangled my hair. Ol rough-handed self. I smacked my lips once she pushed my head back, making me thump her exposed stomach. She had my brothers and now all she does is wear sports bras.

"Shut up and get your long self on the counter."

I rolled my eyes, playfully sliding off the barstool. I hopped on the counter and laid on the neck pillow that was made specifically for this task. I closed my eyes once I felt the lukewarm water hit my scalp. My mama held the sprayer and moved it all around, making sure to get my whole head wet.

"I deposited your refund check too. It came early."

I popped my eyes open, listening to what she said. She lowkey just reminded me I was in school. I had completed all my work for this week last week. "I can't believe I graduate in December."

She smiled, looking down at me. "Me either! I'm so proud of you, boo! You didn't let the adversity you faced hold you back. Yea, people can say you had a little help, but tell them to kiss your ass. This family is all about black-nepotism. It's okay for white people to do it and help their own, but it's always a problem when it's done within black families. It's a sad, sad world. Damn crackas."

I laughed as she mugged and shook her head. Lady was something else, but I understand where she's coming from. Nepotism is real, but it's little to none in black families because they listen to what others say and then let white people into their heads. I sighed once she started working her fingers against my scalp with the shampoo. She didn't even have her nails done, and it felt good.

"Dada noooo! Mama help!"

I heard Emmie yell and her feet padding against the floor. I knew she was running and our tall ass daddy was running behind her.

"Xavier! Cut it out! Because if you wake my babies, we're fighting!"

I chuckled because she was dead serious. Auntie had went back home and Momo along with Paw, had to go on an emergency trip because somebody was trying to buy some of their property where some oil was housed underground, so Mama was back taking care of everything.

"Sonni, ain't nobody scared of you."

I burst out laughing at him emphasizing her name.

"Laugh again and watch I drown you."

I opened my eyes and straight-faced her. "You wouldn't dare."

She grabbed the sprayer pointed towards me with her finger hovering over the button. She bucked at me, making me jump. "Try me."

I gave a tight-lipped smile and closed my eyes, letting her do her thang because I like my life. I sighed as she rinsed the shampoo from my hair. She washed my hair again before telling me to sit up, then proceeded to wrap a towel around my neck and my hair up into a towel.

"Go in the living room, baby. I'm right behind you."

I nodded my head and slid off the counter, walking into the living room. I took a seat on the floor in front of the couch because I knew that's where she was going to sit. Emmie ran into my chest, damn near knocking the breath out of me with her. She sprawled all out dramatically, breathing hard. Bad ass.

"How do you want your hair?"

My mama asked as she saturated my hair with leave-in-conditioner and the hair mask. She divided it into four sections as she combed from bottom to top. Being that she detangled it before washing it, so it was easier for her now. The comb and brush just glided through. "The two braids on the side. Are we still going out Friday for Emmie?"

Because Mama gave birth to the twins earlier than expected, which was two weeks after the baby shower, we weren't able to do anything big for Em's 2nd birthday. We did make sure we had her a cake and plenty of gifts, but Mama felt bad that we didn't give her a party. I think we're supposed to be going to this trampoline park or something like that this weekend.

"Yes, remind me to call the bakery so I can check on our order. Papa!"

One. Two. Thr—. Not even three seconds later, he was walking into the living room with Emmie on his neck, making her laugh as he turned in circles. "Yes, Sunflower?"

"Did you secure our reservation at the fun house?"

I laughed when he jerked his head and furrowed his eyebrows. "Reservation? Baby, I booked the whole building."

I let out a whistle and frowned once she popped me with the comb. Let me find out if my mama is abusive. I'll call child protective services on her real quick. I hissed once she gripped my hair. "We're going to fight, Ma! I bet your ugly self did that on purpose."

She laughed. "Maybe."

A couple hours later, I was sitting on the couch with my MacBook in my lap, creating my lesson plan for my class at the center. I was teaching middle schoolers this term, so I wanted to meet them in the middle as well as expand their skills.

"Son!"

I leaned up. "Yes, Pops?"

"Come eat!"

I ain't waste no time climbing off the couch. He made my favorite, which was homemade ravioli with roasted cabbage steaks and garlic parmesan cheesy bread. I closed my Mac and made my way into the kitchen. I walked around because the twins were on their pallet doing tummy time. They were a little active to only be three months. I took a seat beside Emmie, who was in her high chair making a mess. I shook my head and grabbed my plate from Pops's grasp.