“Come on, baby boy,” Alani said. “You can sit next to me, cuz Daddy stay hogging the covers. Come on, Ssari. You too,” she said, lifting the blanket she was using. Her boys flocked to her, and Ethic opted for a seat beside Morgan. Yara scurried into his lap while Morgan used his shoulder as a cushion.

Ethic was the captain as he flicked through the movie options.

“What are we watching?” Eazy asked.

“Home Alone?” Alani asked.

“It ain’t Christmas,” Ethic said.

“When does it ever have to be Christmas to watch Home Alone?” Alani shot back.

“What’s Home Alone?” Eazy asked.

“I swear before me you are raising these kids ass backward,” Alani said in disgust.

Morgan laughed.

“I meannnn,” she said, grimacing as she giggled joyously.

“Don’t agree with bullshit, Mo,” Ethic said.

They laughed, and the room was filled with the sound of love as Eazy wisecracked with Ethic. Morgan felt frozen. Like she was watching outside a glass dome. Like this scene was supposed to go inside a snow globe because it was beautiful. It was family. Something the Okafors had worked hard for. Morgan’s phone rang and snatched her focus away. Her heart clenched at the sight of Bash’s name.

“I’m going to take this. I’ll be right back. Don’t start without me!” she shouted as she rushed to her feet and out the door. The makings of fall greeted her as she pulled the door shut behind her. A shiver crept up her spine as she pressed the green button. She had been gone for a few hours and had been ignoring him all day. She knew he was imagining the worst in his head. Morgan wasn’t trying to fan the flames; she just wanted a little me time. She put the phone to her ear, but before she could utter one word, a clear threat was made.

“It takes fifty-five minutes to drive from where you are to this doorstep,” Bash said.

“How do you know where I am?” she asked. Bash ignored that question, and Morgan felt sick, like she would throw up.

“I’m trying hard with you, Mo. Harder than I’ve ever tried with anyone before you. I’ve been patient. I’ve been understanding. I’ve been taken for granted and made a fool of. It’s not even close to being acceptable anymore. Get home before I get upset.”

The line went dead, and Morgan pushed out a timid breath. Her eyes prickled, and she fisted the crown of her head in dismay. He sounded so mad. No doubt she was headed home to a fight. Morgan didn’t know what she was feeling, but the walls seemed to be closing in on her.

Beep! Beep!