“Don’t even think about it, Lewis.”

“Well, most of my business ties are in L.A. anyway,” he says, sighing.

I have to stop myself from saying: “What business ties?”

“So, I guess Mama told you about Daddy, then, huh?”

“Yep. But he’ll be back.”

“How can you say that when you don’t even know what’s going on here?”

“You know how long they’ve been doing this, Lewis? Please.”

“But this is serious.”

“I’m glad he’s gone.”

“How can you say that? You know, you women can be . . .”

“Don’t start with me, Lewis.”

“Start what? I was just saying . . .”

“Look, I’ll say it again: I’m glad he’s gone. It should’ve happened about twenty years ago. Just do me a favor, Lewis. Don’t get on Mama’s nerves, okay? She’s not even home yet.”

He lets out yet another exasperating sigh. “I came here to help. How could I possibly get on her nerves?”

“Never mind.”

“So I guess you and everybody else but me knew about my ex, then, huh?”

“What’s to know? So she’s got married. She has a right.”

“He must be a chump, that’s all I have to say. Anybody who’d want her?”

“Yeah, well Todd’s a chump with a job and . . .”

“How’d she find a black dude with a name like Todd?”

“He’s white. I thought Mama told you.”

“He’s what?”

“Oh, get over it, Lewis. This is America. 1994.”

“She went and married a fucking cracker?”

“Yep, by-golly she did, and she just had his baby, too. A little girl named Heather. Mama said she told you.”

“She just said the bitch got married and the dude wanted to adopt Jamil. That’s all.”

“She’s not a bitch and don’t ever let me hear you use that word when referring to a woman, do you hear me, Lewis?”

“Yeah, sorry. But . . .”

“But anyway, as I was saying, that ‘cracker’s’ been taking pretty damn good care of your black son.”

“Donnetta done completely lost her fucking mind. What kinda church is it she go to?”

“You better watch your damn mouth, boy!” That’s Mama in the background.

“How should I know? Besides, it’s irrelevant.”

“That cracker better not even think he’s gon’ be my son’s father. And he better not ever lay a hand on him either or I’ll kick his pale ass.”

“Okay. Stop, Lewis. I’m not about to listen to you . . .”

“How do you think this makes me feel? First hearing from my very own mama that my ex-wife has married some stranger I don’t even know, and then a few hours later I find out he’s white and he wants to adopt my son?”

“Somebody needs to be a father to the boy. When was the last time you saw Jamil?”

“It ain’t been that lo—”

“When was the last time you did anything for him, Lewis? You need to get a fucking grip and join the real world. I’m so sick of men like you I don’t know what to do.”