Steaming mad, Kennedy stormed inside her aunt’s house. Karen was sitting on the couch in a silk floral house-dress folding clothes. She was a tall pretty lady, with the most magnificent skin, the same color as raw brown sugar.

“What the hell, Auntie?”

“I know you must’ve hit your head on the way through the door, cursing at me,” Karen said, looking at Kennedy like she’d lost her mind. “You know you not too grown for me to bust your red ass.”

“My bad, Auntie, but why did you call Chaz? You knew I was coming.”

“I called him when I couldn’t get you at first. But why wouldn’t I call him?”

“Because, it isn’t any of his business.”

“Chaz is Jordan’s father, so it is his business.”

“He’s his stepfather,” Kennedy corrected.

“No, no, my dear, he’s still Jordan’s father, regardless of how you feel about him. Jordan would’ve been just fine if Brian’s deadbeat ass never walked into his life. Chaz is always there for him. He calls him every single day, and he’s up here to see him every other day. I don’t know why you think everybody revolves around how you feel from day to day.” Karen stood and picked up a stack of folded clothes.

Kennedy grabbed a stack and followed her aunt into the bedroom. “Look, Auntie.” Kennedy paused for a second to choose her words carefully. She knew better than to get slick at the mouth with her aunt, because it would be nothing to Karen to pop Kennedy in the mouth with a hard backhand. “Auntie, all I’m saying is, just let me handle anything regarding my child first.”

“You could’ve handled it first, if you would’ve answered your phone. I guess you so tired from putting in work with Kisa. Oh, don’t look so shocked. I may have left them streets behind long ago, but I still got people out there who keep me posted.” Karen placed the clothes in a drawer and walked over to Kennedy, getting up in her face, “Now Kisa is family, and I love her just like you, but you don’t need to get caught up in all that stuff she got going on. You made it out, Kennedy. You got a good career. There is no need to get back into all that mess and risk losing everything that you gained.”

Kennedy handed Karen the clothes from her arms, “Auntie, I hear you, but it’s not even like that. I’m just there to give Kisa support.”

“My ass you are! I know she’s moving bricks, and I’ll bet the house that you stretching them.”

Standing there silently, Kennedy didn’t confirm nor did she deny the accusation.