Dammit! I had to admit that I had allowed her to fuck up my awesome mood. I paced back and forth trying to get myself together. I couldn’t allow anyone to ruin my wonderful party. Wait. This is not my party! But it sure felt like it. Overall, I felt as if I was controlling everyone’s good mood, but now that my mood was fucked up, everyone else’s shouldn’t have to be fucked up.

“Yo, what’s up, Auntie? What up! What up! What up!”

Instantly a smile formed across my lips. Forget about Mari, for now. Kevin was here. Tasha’s baby brother; my nephew. He was coming up the walkway with a young lady, who was rocking a cold pair of Sophia Webster’s. She didn’t release but a few pairs. I mean limited edition for real. This had to be a boss chick. She was holding the hand of a little boy who looked to be around two years old. I made it down the steps and met him at the driveway and gave Kev a big hug. “Glad you made it!” I squealed. “I didn’t tell your sister because I wanted to surprise her. You know she’s going to be so glad to see you.”

“She just ought to be! Her ass been in New York all this time and didn’t even call me or tell me that she was here.”

“Don’t be mad at her. She doesn’t want to be here, and she has this big chip on her shoulder, a big ass belly, and a whole bunch of drama going on, as usual.”

He started laughing. I then directed my attention to the young lady that he was with.

“My bad, Auntie. Auntie, this is Seven. Seven, meet my Auntie.” Right on cue, the little boy started throwing up.

“Oh, Carlito!” she said.

The three of us stood there watching the baby hurl.

“Damn, little nigga! You almost caught my Giuseppes.” Kevin looked down to check his shoes. “Go clean him up.”

Carlito was standing there, head back, eyes closed, screaming at the top of his lungs.

His mother swooped him up. “Can I use your restroom?”

“Is he alright?” I was wondering why she would bring him out if he was sick.

“He’s fine; thanks.”

“I’ll show you the restroom. I’m Angel by the way. And you are, again?”

“My friends call me Seven and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Kevin pointed to where he saw Faheem. “Yo! Is that Faheem? Yo, Sev. I’ll be in there.”

He slapped her on her ass and went to go kick it with Faheem.

KAYLIN