“Just so you know, moving behind the scenes don’t make you bulletproof or indictment proof.”

“Kevin! Kevin! Come here, boy!” We turned around to see my sister, Tasha, as she walked, more like wobbled off the front porch.

“Unc, I’ma get back with you.”

“Yeah, ’cause she look like she about to send you to the corna store or something.”

“Whatever, yo!” I turned my attention on my sister. “Damn, sis, you stay pregnant! What number is this—six?”

“This will be four, negro!” she said, right before she smacked me upside my head. “But look who’s talking! Why didn’t you tell me you had a son? What is wrong with you? And where are my gifts?”

“Slow your roll, sis. He ain’t mine.” My sister glared at me, as if she didn’t believe me. “Why would I lie? If he was mine, I would tell you. He doesn’t even look like me.”

“Yes, he does, Kevin.”

“You know the old saying, if you feed them long enough, they will look like you.”

“Yeah right!” She gave me a big hug. “It’s something you’re not telling me, but I miss you, baby boy!”

“Just like you didn’t tell me you was no longer in Cali. What up with that?” I went to smack her upside her head, and she ducked, but not before punching me in the chest. “I miss you too.”

“Don’t try and change the subject.”

“Who is the young lady? Is she wifey material for my lil’ bro, a friend, side chick? What?”

“Damn, you still nosey, sis.”

KAYLIN

Bo, Trae, and I were in the basement getting our smoke on and shooting a little pool. I couldn’t help but think that anytime Red was doing anything with the girls, there was bound to be some drama. That thought reminded me that I hadn’t seen Kyra or Rick in a while. Which meant that I needed to make my rounds.

“I’ll be back in a few.” I went upstairs to check the guest rooms. I tapped on the first door. “Kyra? Rick? Y’all good?”

The door flew open and immediately slammed shut. “Well dayum!”

It flew open again, and Rick said, “We good!”

“Dawg, you sure about that?”

“Trust and believe, before we come out of this room, we are going to be one big ass happy family.” And he slammed it back.

“I hope so!”

I checked the other rooms, everything was good. Jahara’s bedroom looked as if a tornado went through it. Because she was the only child in this house, whenever she got company she played the hostess with the mostess, just like her mom and dad.

I went downstairs to check on my wife. When she looked up and saw me, she said, “Kaylin, speak to your daughter.”

“Jay, behave please, ma’am.”

“Dad, I am.”