“Come in,” he said, as he stood and walked to the window that overlooked his backyard. He had built a comfortable life for his family. As he watched Bella swing Eazy around before tossing him in a huge pile of leaves in the backyard, he scoffed. Morgan stood near them, snapping pictures on her phone, and he admired the sight of the trio. They were carefree. They knew nothing about surviving or going without. Morgan had a brief history of struggle, after her parents died, but he had done all he could to make up for whatever damage that time had caused. They were his life, his purpose, but they were growing up. Morgan was a young woman and he was sure he would be losing her to the world soon. She would want to stretch her wings and fly. The thought of Bella being not too far behind her saddened him. Eazy, he had more time with; but eventually, they all would leave, and he had no queen to share his castle with after they were gone.

“Lily let me in.”

Ethic turned to Messiah and motioned for him to take a seat. “You drinking something?” Ethic asked.

“Nah, I’m good, fam,” Messiah said. “It’s quiet than a muthafucka around here. Where Eazy at?”

“He’s outside with Mo and Bella,” Ethic said, with a chuckle. “He’ll be upset if you don’t holla at him before you leave.”

“I don’t know, OG, I might not be welcomed here after I say what I got to say,” Messiah said.

Ethic leaned back in his seat, staring, intently, at Messiah. “I already know what you’re here to say. Word got back to me about your stunt at Berston. You broke the nigga nose and knocked out his teeth,” Ethic stated. “You want to explain that? Or you want me to tell you what I think?”

Messiah knew that Ethic didn’t ask questions without already having the answers, so instead, he said, “I’m not coming in here on no disrespect, fam. I’ve kept my distance, but the first word she said was my name, OG. That’s like a man hearing his child say ‘dada’ for the first time. She’s mine. I ain’t even want her to be mine either. I was keeping my distance, out of respect, but when I saw a nigga talking fly in her ear, I just reacted.”

“I get that. I’ve been there; but let me tell you something about Morgan Atkins. She’s not yours. She’s mine. I feed her, I clothe her, I stayed up all night with her when she was sick, I held her to my chest when she cried, and chased away the boogie man under her bed when she was scared. You think coming in here for permission makes it better?” Ethic asked.