“No, it’s been a while. The last time was at the spades tournament. She was shouting and talking smack. You know how she is about spades.”

“Yeah. Well, she’s got other things to keep her mind occupied beside cards now.”

My mom reads my expression. “I see.”

I go toward the upstairs landing and hope Nai will forgive me. “Mom, the new guy . . . He’s not all that. Actually, he’s a real piece of— Anyway, I don’t think she should go home. So she’s staying here tonight, and maybe for the rest of the weekend?”

“Of course. I’m gonna go back to the office. Food’s on the counter.”

“Mom . . .”

“Getti, don’t worry. You go take care of your friend. Things will look better in the morning. Okay?” She gives me a hug, and I silently thank God that she didn’t disown me for leaving See Us. I can’t imagine my life without Mom, my giant force of nature.

I get to my room, and Naija is already in her pajamas. She has slept here so much, she has her own drawer. We put on her favorite TV show—The Proud Family—and let it play in the background while I grease her scalp.

We avoid talking about anything heavy. I think that’s what she really needs right now. My cell rings—Devonte. I go to decline the call, but Nai says, “Take it. It’s fine.” I do, but we don’t talk long. Devonte tells me about track practice and asks how I’m doing with staying away from meetings. I tell him so far, so good.

He’s easy to talk to. I even tell him about the trees gossiping behind my back. I say it kind of like a joke, so I’m not sure he knows I’m being serious. But when I tell him, he jokingly says, “Tell the trees not to mess with my girl. I’ll get a chain saw up in this mother.” I laugh.

His girl . . .

And then we kissed . . .

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Loser pays for the pizza,” I say right before I hang up.

“What’s that about?” Nai asks.

“Devonte had the nerve to tell me that Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood is a better movie than Friday!”

“What? Is he crazy?” Nai replies.

“I know! So Sunday, we are going to rent both and see who can best defend their movie.”

Naija studies me like she’s just now seeing me.

“What?” I ask.

“That boy got you open! Y’all ain’t doin’ it, are you?” she says, her eyes wide with shock.