“Don’t be asking me no fucking questions. Just do what the fuck I tell you,” Rhonda scolded.

Alisha clutched her face and scampered to the back of the apartment crying. A few minutes later she came out with the two boys in tow. She shot Rhonda a look, but didn’t dare open her mouth.

When the children were out the door, Rhonda turned back to the young man in the cap. “What’s popping, daddy? I missed you.”

The young man just smiled, showing off his tobacco-stained teeth. He sat on the couch and undid his jeans, letting his dick rest against his thigh. He stroked himself with his left hand and beckoned to her with his right. Without hesitation, Rhonda dropped down and blessed him.

Larry shook his head and relit the blunt. “I don’t know why you even get yourself worked up, man.”

“This bitch is always playing with me, Larry.” Paul tossed the phone on the futon and sat in the computer chair opposite Larry. “I do what I’m supposed to as a parent, and I still get the short end of the stick.”

Larry shrugged and handed Paul the blunt. “That’s your own fault.”

“How do you figure that?” Paul snatched it. “I’m wrong for being a good father?”

“Nah, you the man for that. You wrong for getting crossed up in that in the first place. We tried to tell you about Rhonda, but you didn’t listen. Now you got this bitch in your head, driving you up the wall. You’re doing what you can, kid. Don’t stress it.”

“How can I not stress it, Larry? That’s my seed.”

Larry leaned forward and became serious. “Paul, let’s take the gloves off for a minute. You come home from your bid, and Rhonda’s waiting on you with a bundle of joy. Keep in mind, you had no idea what the fuck she was doing out here unless one of us told you. Even when we did bring certain shit to your attention, you downplayed it. When I told you to make her take a paternity test, you let her talk you out of it.”

“Man, I know that’s my seed.”

Larry raised an eyebrow. “Do you? Paul, I know you and Rhonda had some good times, trust me, I do. You was laying up in her crib, eating good and tapping that ass, but do you really believe you’re the only one that was hitting it?” Seeing anger flash across his friend’s face, Larry softened his approach. “Paul, you know you’re my nigga from now till the end of this, but we all knew Rhonda was scandalous. I’m just keeping it real with you, my dude.”

“Well, you ain’t helping.” Paul huffed, killing the blunt roach. “Man, fuck this depressing-ass shit. Let’s hit the streets and see what’s up with these hos on Twelfth.”