Please excuse ANY errors.

December 7, 1998

~Tia's P.O.V~

Donald and I pulled up to Yasir's Airbnb.

"I ain't gon' even front, I gotta take a long piss," Donald said putting the car in park.

"A long one?" I raised my eyebrows. "How long have you been holding it?"

"Shit... About- since before we left the crib."

"And you had the nerve to be rushing me?" I questioned.

"That's why I held it, I was rushing you and by the time you were ready, I said forget it." He waved his hand off at me.

"You could've taken a leak. I would've waited for you. I do;t mind waiting. You wait for me all the time."

"Not just that because I knew you would've. I ain't want to wait even longer either. You already took so damn long." He said reaching for his handle.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Wait, let me call this man first," I said taking out my cellular device, then dialing Yasir's number.

"You just love rollin' them eyeballs at me, don't you?" Donald asked me and I ignored him.

Yasir picked up and I spoke into the phone. "I'm outside," I told him.

"You comin' in or open the door?" Yasir asked me.

"We comin' in. This dude gotta take a leak." I replied.

"DeVanté came too, huh?" Yasir questioned.

I saw the main door open. "Yeah, bye." I hung up. "You comin' in to pee or what?"

"You comin' straight out, right?" He asked me. "I'm not tryna get into it with yo brother."

"No, I'm staying in there for a little while. I wanna see my niece and nephew. Don't you gotta use the toilet?" I raised a brow.

"Yeah, but I'm a whole ass man. I can piss anywhere, but since you stayin' for a while, I guess I'll go in."

I looked at DeVanté who looked as if he was doing the Tootsee Roll dance. I then saw the main door/front door open. "Yeah, bye." I hung up. "The butterfly, uh-oh, that's old, let me see that Tootsee Roll!" I sang.

"Don't make me laugh!" His legs sped up, trying to hold back his laughter. He hopped out of the car. "I gotta piss!"

I opened my door but stopped myself from exiting after coming to the realization that this guy just left the keys in the ignition. I took them out, then turned around and screamed aloud upon seeing Donald with his head poked in the car, staring at me wide-eyed.

"MY GOD!" I shook my head. "What the HELL are you doing?"

His head turned downwards as laughter shot from the depths of his throat. "The look on-" He said holding his stomach. He moved back, removing his head from the car, and shaking his head. Donald all of the sudden became serious. "Seriously, don't touch the door." He said pointing to it, then grabbing my hand.

I grabbed his hand and stepped out of the car. "I thought you ran off into the house. You forgot the keys and you said that you gotta take a wiss."

"I wasn't finna leave you out here. It went up some though." He said closing the car door.

I knocked on the storm door and then opened it. Yasir came from around the corner holding Masir who looked as if he just finished crying. Asiri came crawling after her father. I took my shoes off at the door

"Hey, y'all." Yasir greeted, putting Masir down.

Asiri crawled straight to Donald's feet to which he picked her up while stepping out of his shoes. "Call me LL Cool De because ladies love me." Donald chuckled.

"Ladies? Nah, smile you got it ALL wrong, it's just my sister." Yasir said laughing.

"Well, she crawled straight to me." Donald placed his fingertips on his chest, amused then turned to me. He started moving Asiri's mouth making it seem like she's the one rapping. "Salt-N-Pepa's back and we came to out rap you, so get out my face before I smack you, TT."

"I was sure waiting for you to say somethin' else." Yasir chuckled. "Really thought you was about to say that shit."

"Nah... Yasir, that seems more like somethin' YOU would say to your woman whenever you get another one." Donald replied to my brother.

"Indeed. It IS something I said." Yasir nodded in agreement.

"I ain't say I ain't never said it to nobody. I just ain't said it to your sister."

"You better keep it that way too." Yasir pointed to Donald and then turned to me. "You're late. You been said you was comin'. What happened?"

"Beggars can't be choosers," Donald answered for me. "Nigga, she came and that's all that matters. The fuck you thought this was?"

Yasir just gave a tight grin, but I could tell he wanted to say something back. I could also tell that he was refraining from doing so. "Yeah."

I finally decided to speak. "Yeah, it did take a while, but we're here now. Since I'm here I wanted to spend a little time with my niece and nephew. Mind if we stay for a little while?" I asked Yasir.

"I don't care." Yasir shrugged. "They about to go in a little bit. They mama comin' to get them whenever she gets off from work." He said walking away to the living room.

I locked and closed the door before following him with Donald right behind me. Once Yasir took a seat, Masir ran to me with a smile on his face.

"What was he crying about?" I asked Yasir.

"He want his way like always. Hard-headed, boffa them." Yasir replied.

"Wants his way? I wonder who he gets that from?" Donald thought aloud.

"His mama, that's who," Yasir told him.

I laughed. "Nahh, it's for sure YOU, Yasir. It's YOU all the way."

Yasir shook his head. "Sis, you know me. I'm more of a people's pleaser, though I try not to be."

Donald spoke with sarcasm. "Try a little bit harder at being one, because I don't see it."

I looked at him because he keeps saying things on the sly. Although, we know Yasir is lying and no matter what either one of us replies with, Yasir will deny that mess. That's why I don't say too much and I don't want anything to get started.

"Get your man, Tia. I thought it was just supposed to be you comin' anyways." Yasir pointed at Donald amused. "Why come too if you was just diss me throughout your whole stay? Leave it to this nigga to disrespect you in your own household."

"Oh, like you tend to do at other people's house?" Donald frowned deeply.

"It's also the fact that you have the nerve to have my daughter in your arms while you do it too. Plus, I ain't never did no shit like that. Name one time I disrespected someone in their own house. I don't ever bring no drama. I don't like it and try to stay away from that shit, but you on the other hand-"

"ACTUALLY stay away from it." Donald nodded, cutting him off. "Name one? I can name plenty of occasions. There was your WHOLE stay during the storm-"

Yasir shit at him. "I was protecting my peace."

Donald laughed aloud. "And disturbing everyone else's! There was the time when you revealed confidential information to everyone in the house- I wasn't there, but it was still a fucked up thing on your part. There was that police situation that happened when you hid from police on her property, fucking shit up. Shall I go on?"

"It's-" I tried to intervene, but was cut off by Yasir's banter

"Nigga, I was tired of all the secretive shit going on in MY family. I said MY family. Plus, that's not somethin' you would've known because you wasn't even there." Yasir then looked at me. "That was somethin' you had to tell him. That ain't none of his damn business." Yasir stood up pointing at Donald with his hand.

"Fuck you standin' up for? I ain't here to fight. There are kids around." Donald chuckled.

I stood up, grabbing the five figured check from my purse. "Yasir, here's your check. We're gonna leave." I put Masir down causing him to cry.

Yasir grabbed it and Donald stood up still holding Asiri. "You don't wanna spend time with is because of him? Him, I don't mind leavin' at all."

"Well, we rode together, Yasir. We came together and that's the same way we're leaving. Plus, I wasn't planning on staying long anyways, we have things to do." I spoke over a crying Masir.

"Boy, be quiet! Whining for nothin'!" Yasir told Masir. "Alright, see you then, and imma pay you off, but I can't right now."

I began walking to the door. "Don't worry about it. It's an early Christmas gift."

"Ridiculous," Donald said in his regular tone.

"You got some shit to say, speak the hell up!" Yasir shrugged his shoulders with irritation.

"You heard what the fuck I said!" Donald said matching his tone. "RIDICULOUS!"

"Ridiculous? Nigga say what the fuck you gotta say."

"Ain't heard NO thank you's or anything with yo ungrateful ass!" Donald told my brother.

I butted in. "Y'all stop. Donald, come on." I spoke with clear irritation in my voice.

Donald put Asiri down on the floor, then put his shoes on. Asiri screamed at the top of her lungs.

"You just gon' put my daughter on the fuckin' floor like that? And my sister know I'm grateful. Why you think she ain't say shit? What you need to do is mind yo fuckin' business, bitch made ass nigga!" Yasir put his fingers in Donald's face, touching his forehead.

"Ayo, back the fuck up offa me, man," Donald spoke in an intimidating tone, pushing Yasir back. "I ain't got time to be fightin' you, ESPECIALLY in front of no damn babies!" He aimed his hands toward the babies. "You know you gon' lose anyways." He laughed sarcastically.

"Nigga, I a' beat yo ass!" Yasir stepped forward, threateningly. "You might be able to do that shit to a beta male, but not no fuckin' alpha. Ion care who the fuck around."

Donald stepped up to Yasir, but I pushed him back. "GO SIT YO ASS DOWN!" I said to Yasir, then snapped my head in Donald's direction. "I said LET'S FUCKING GO!" I gritted at Donald then turned back to Yasir. "Yasir- GROW THE FUCK UP!" I spoke with closed eyes out of pure frustration. "You're just nitpicking. He literally picked her up from the floor! And NO, I don't know if you're grateful. You just don't strike me as the grateful type anymore. Donald, let's go!" I said walking out the door.

"Still ain't heard one, Yasir!" Donald shouted walking away from the house with me.

"Can't believe you takin' a nigga side over your own damn brother. That's some fucked up shit. Blood is thicker than water MY ASS! He started all this shit!" Yasir yelled to me, pointing to Donald.

"Well, I'm finishing it!" I said turning around to face him.

"I knew you all yo life and you knew him- what? A few years?" Yasir frowned, seemingly hurt.

Donald opened the passenger side door, laughing. "Save that bullshit ass sob story for somebody else, nigga!" He held his stomach like this was the funniest thing ever.

I flicked my head in Donald's direction, causing him to stop his laughter, but he still had a smug smirk. I think that he thinks I'm mad at him, I'm not angry at Donald. I just want to speak my peace. I wanted to laugh too because the way Donald's words came out were hilarious. I exhaled through my nose loudly, snapping my head back in Yasir's direction.

"Grew up together? Sure. Knowing OF me? Okay, but knowin' me is somethin' you don't. That's just that and I'm SO FUCKIN' TIRED OF YO ASS USIN' THAT EXCUSE LIKE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT YOUR ACTIONS TOWARDS ME." I closed my eyes, calming myself down. "I'm sick of you and your bullshit-" I opened my eyes, balling up my right fist, slightly calmer. "It ain't just this particular situation, it's EVERYTHING you continue to do."

Now sitting in the car, I continued to speak. "Until you can straighten the fuck up and respect me as I do you, don't call me for SHIT and DON'T even come over to my house, PERIOD! I don't care if you want to visit mama and daddy in the guest house. NO. My security won't let you through and if you get fresh, the police WILL be called!"

"Oh, so you gon' call the police on your brother?" Yasir asked me. "Y'all fuckin' females kill me and this nigga here a whole beta male out here tryna fight an alpha." He chuckled. "You ain't me nigga. Fucked up in the head, boffa y'all mothafuckas."

"Yes, I will! If you're my brother, then act like it MOTHAFUCKA!" I yelled with gritted teeth, grabbing the keys from Donald to start it up before closing my own damn door. I sat back, then put my seatbelt on.

"And she meant every fuckin word!" I heard Donald yell to Yasir, but since the windows are rolled up, the sound was muffled. "I STILL ain't heard no damn thank you!" Donald said aloud, opening the passenger side door. I got in the car and Donald closed the door.

"Again, still no thank you! You had EVERY damn opportunity to say that shit, but instead, you spew bullshit and constant gaslighting. And I thank the Lord above that I ain't like yo ass, nigga! Nobody should wanna be. You shouldn't even wanna be you." Donald jogged over to the driver's side.

Donald isn't finished with speaking his peace. "Oh, and Yasir? I had a wonderful time here tonight calling you out on your bullshit! Maybe, this can happen again, someday. It'll make you realize a lot more shit about yourself. See ya!" Donald then hopped inside the car.

Asiri banged on the storm door with drool running down from the corners of her mouth and tears streaming down her face.

"He so damn irritating that his own baby don't even wanna be around him." Donald joked, pulling off. "On a serious note, I hope he changes before they get older. If not, they gon' end up the SAME way, resent him, become immume- possibly letting others treat them as such."

"You throwin' shots?" I asked him, dissecting his words.

"I am. I told you that you are immune and you are. I wouldn't have given him shit, but you not me, so I get it." Donald shrugged his right shoulder.

"He has kids. I don't wanna see them or him out on the streets. If I got it, I will give it. That's my brother."

"You seem to be wearing him being your brother as a badge of honor, but he on the other hand use that shit as a weapon to keep drawin' you in and to paint over how he treats you." Donald shook his head at me.

I stared straight ahead at the road as he spoke, attentively listening. I've never thought about it that way. Every time he tells me that I'm his sister, it's always in situations where he's done wrong, basically gaslighting his words and actions.

"Ashari wouldn't allow that to happen. If anything, it'd just be Yasir on the street. And I know you don't want that either. You gotta also ask the question of if Ashari is still managing with her job and salary when she earns less than he does, what the hell is your brother doin' that he needs that much help? He gotta be spending it recklessly, lyin' or somethin'. How the fuck is he always working, but coming up that short? He got a good-paying job."

"I don't know, Donald..." I dragged on. "I understand that y'all got into it or whatever, but I CANNOT let you and my brother fight each other. I know what he did, but just can't. I KNOW better than ANYONE that Yasir is an asshole. I don't want to see two people that I love fighting one another. That's why I had to step between y'all."

"Nahh, I got you. I will respect that."

"And imma put you in your place as well. Some of those things that were said when we got first got there didn't have to be spoken. Some things are best left unsaid. If he and I ever get back on speaking terms, I will tell him the same things I'm telling you. Setting boundaries. If you have any problems with him, talk it out with me because if y'all "talk it out" it's going to turn into what could've happened today. Then I'll put him in his place and vice versa." I explained to him. "Dalvin says things that rub me the wrong way sometimes and so does K-Ci. Hell, even JoJo, but I just leave it alone."

"I respect it. When they are saying something that's rubbing you the wrong way, I want you to give me some sort of sign so I can nip it in the bud then and there. If you can't for some reason, tell me later and I'll bring it up whenever we talk again." He looked at me. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable with them around. They my boys, but I will put they asses in place. You know that."

"I got you." I nodded in response.

"Did you hear Yasir, though?" Donald asked me, pulling off. "He said my sister understands how grateful or some shit like that. Basically, saying since you ain't say nothing- at first about him saying a least a thanks and that he knew that you knew he was thankful regardless of his words or actions. I wouldn't have given him shit."

"And that's why I said something. That really pissed me off, then the fuckin' NERVE of him to tell me that I'm late as if I ain't doing him a damn favor." I shook my head, putting on the radio.

"Mmhm. You gotta start speaking up more, love. You have this time.

He's the ONLY one you ALLOW to run over you and as long as you allow it, he gon' keep doin' it."

"Mmhm," I mumbled with tears streaming down my face.

I'm not crying because I'm sad, it's because I'm fucking upset. Have you ever been so upset that you just cry?

"Enough about him and whatever he got goin' on. Fuck that low vibrational energy he brought. Your mood is all down and shit." He glanced at me with his bottom lips lodged inside of his mouth, grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers. "Not too long ago, you were having. We both was havin' a funky ol' good time."

The fact that he mentioned my feelings about the situation made my heart smile, but the tears continued. Donald pulled over on the street with a deep sigh.

"Damn, it seems like every damn time he's around this shit happens. Look at the bright side of this cut-off, it's a good thing you did say what you say. I know you probably feel bad and shit, but that nigga needs some damn help. You doin' that just showed him that you ain't fuckin' around-" He looked at me stopping himself from speaking on that particular topic. "Let's go out somewhere nice. We- especially you dressed for the occasion. You down?"

"I look a mess. Crying with puffy eyes." I embarrassingly chuckled, pulling down the sun visor mirror.

"Nahh, you look good, baby."

"Of course, you'd say that, Donald. But okay, I guess I'm in."

"Cool," He said pulling up to McDonald's that's local to Yasir's house/ Airbnb.

"You pulled in here to turn or somethin'?" I asked him.

Donald looked at me, driving to the short line without a word. First of all, I don't eat here and haven't in YEARS. He KNOWS that. The ONLY things I would get from here are fries and ice cream, but the ice cream machine is always down. Secondly, no, I'm not too good at McDonald's, I just don't like it. Wendy's is more my thing. That's somewhere I still eat. Thirdly, this dude said somewhere nice. Mcdonald's is the GHETTO.

When Donald finally pulled up to the intercom, he rolled down his window and the worker began to speak. "Hi, welcome to McDonald's. How may I take your order?"

"Umm, can you give me a few seconds?" Donald then looked over at me. "What you want?" He asked me.

"You know I don't eat here," I said in a dull tone.

He popped his mouth at me then turned to the intercom again. "Umm, you got two happy meals?" He said into the speaker.

I frowned at him because he knows DAMN well they have Happy Meals. "Why would you-" I shook my head at him.

"Yes, sir. Boy or girl happy meals?" They asked him.

"Both, BUT I got another question. Y'all got some happy meals that are for like- How could I put this? Adults because I ain't tryna spend too much money on no regular meal. Y'all too fuckin' expensive for my taste. What kinda toys do they come with?"

I held back my laughter. Is this man serious? He CAN'T be serious, right now.

"Sir, we don't sell adult happy meals."

"Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean don't we don't want to be happy. Adults need happiness too, right?" Donald asked them.

I busted out laughing. "Pull off!"

"I'm sorry, but we only have happy meals for kids and regular meals as an option."

"Damn, I can't believe y'all broke asses can't even afford to make adult happy meals. I'm gone!"

Donald pulled out of the line while I sat there with tears streaming down my face and laughter, but it's the kind of laughter where no sound comes out. He started laughing too when we finally were far enough.

"How you gon' ca-call them broke when Y-YOU'RE the o- ooone who claimed to-to not be able to afford it?" I asked him through laughter.

"You know gotdamn well I wasn't gon' take you to eat at no damn Mickey D's!" He laughed. "I was just fucking around. You was over there lookin' all down and shit, I had to do somethin'!"

"Well, that did it!" I shook my head laughing. "McDonald's workers get enough bull from customers, but THAT was funny."

"I did waste their time though, huh?"

"Indeed." I agreed.

"We are about to go somewhere though. Where? I'm not sure, but it's gon' be nice."

"By any chance is it another Mickey D's?"

"I promise you." He glanced at me, changing the radio station. "Oh, shit!" He said getting hyped and turning up the volume of the radio. "Always treat her with respect, I never would abuse her. What she's got is hard to find, and I don't want to lose her. Help me build a mountain from my little pile of clay.-"

"Hey. Hey. Hey." I sang along with him.

"That's what the fuck I'm talkin' 'bout! I'm lovin' the energy." He smiled and then continued to sing the rest of the song. "Woah, woah, whoa, she's a lady. Whoa, whoa, whoa, talkin' about this little lady." Donald grabbed my hand, lifting it to the ceiling of the car. "And the lady is mine." He sang.

We listened to the whole song before I spoke.

"This man has the bass of a black dude." I chimed in.

"He does and that's why everybody was surprised he wasn't black. Some people still claim he is because of his darker white skin tone though." He said turning it down.

"Black community want to claim anybody they like as black. This man gets tans and has slightly tighter hair than other white folks." I laughed.

"Right, just like John Oates. Knowing that mothafucka don't look it AT ALL." He cackled. "Where you wanna go when we leave? Back to my house or yours?" He questioned.

"Mines- No, we can go back to yours," I replied.

"I said that because ain't much to do at mines. I only got a pool table and we probably ain't even gon' be tired. Why don't you wanna go to your house?"

"Because I know you be on games and Eej told me that he heard us doin' some things one day. Mostly me." I chirped out the last part embarrassed.

"Tia, I be on games? Really?" He side-eyed me.

"Ain't that what I said?" I chuckled.

"Tia? Really? This can't be YOU makin' this statement." He shook his head in disbelief. "Can't be the same woman who basically ambushed me in the kitchen that one day, half-naked? The same woman who admitted to knowing what she was doing to me all these years?"

My tongue was basically stuck to the roof of my mouth before I was able to speak. "I'll admit that I do be on games." I nodded. "But you-"

"I play the games you come up with. Like a game of cat and mouse. I'm not complainin' a bit though. I enjoy it- SOMETIMES." He corrected his words.

I smiled at him. "Why sometimes?"

"Oh... You know why." He slowly nodded. "You know EXACTLY why, so ion know why- SEE, you on games right now."

I put some vaseline on my lips. "Man, I ain't even lay a finger on you." I put it back in my purse.

"You ain't got to. The game I'm talkin' about is you pretending to be clueless when we get on the topic of anything relating to anything sexual or when we are playing a game of cat and mouse."

"But never during..." I hinted.

"You ain't lyin' 'bout that." He laughed. "Well, except for-"

"Shh. Shhh. No, don't say that. The people don't need to know. That's why I don't do try to anymore." Donald looked around the whole car. "What are you looking for?" I asked.

"The people, but I can't seem to find 'em. Maybe- maybe they're invisible and I need a special kind of glasses to do so. Lemme borrow ya goggles." He said grabbing my glasses off of my face and putting them on.

"Don't play me. I got regular glasses."

"But they said you needed bifocals." He cackled. "I can actually see in these."

"EXACTLY! My joints ain't that bad. Plus, they had all that cold air blowing in that room right above me, drying my eyes out, and causing my vision to blur during the examination. They know what they doin'."

"You sh'oll is right because now that I'm thinking about it, they do be having all that cold air blowing in the test room. You feel that joint coming out before you enter it. They a whole scam and want people to pay." He laughed. "I ain't worn mines in a long ass time and I'm good. Kinda."

"Back to your other statement. That ain't the answer. Practice makes perfect and I don't mind being the test dummy." There is a long line of traffic in this area that we have to wait in, so he stopped. "Aye, give me some of that. You shit over there lookin' juishy and I'm over here with cremation lips. Just gon' leave me hangin'?" He said waiting for the light to turn green.

I stared at the side of his face amused. "First of all... Juishy? So we just makin' up words now? Then you said some cremation lips! I can't with you, dude."

"Yep, so don't steal it." He looked back at me. "This damn light is taking all day. You gon' slap some on my lips or not?"

"I got you, babe." I leaned over, but was held back by my seatbelt. To stop that, I just put the shoulder belt behind me. "Just don't cut me. I'm not tryna look herped up."

I grabbed his chin to kiss his lips, just enough to get some onto his lips. When I was about to pull away, Donald grabbed my face, pulling us into a deep kiss that I gladly caved into. Horns of the cars around us began honking, making us pull away. I sat all the way down in my seat.

"Oh! So how they wanna change it to green?" He said driving off. "I gotta piss again."

"You should've gone at Yasir's house," I replied, completely unstrapping my seatbelt because it tightened too much for me to pull the shoulder belt on me. I strapped myself back in. "You pulling me in deeper just defeated the purpose. Now we got it all one our mouths."

"I was hoping you did it that way, but why would you even say that?"

I looked at him confused. "Say what? Oh! That it defeated the purpose? Because it did." I said answering the question.

"Not what I meant. You know I ain't using his damn bathroom. Stuff be all on the seat and hella track marks in the toilet- if you could call it that because that shit builds up and DID. Nasty as fuck. I'd rather piss outside. I know that it's a standing situation but ion want that splashing back on me either." He said in pure disgust. "I should've just stayed outside like I said, but I ain't think about it until I was actually in his house. I'd be pissed if I was the owner of that Airbnb."

"That's why you put tissue inside of the toilet before going. That's what I do when I can't hold it at ANY place, but squatting of course."

"Y'all can't be related!" Donald shouted out, causing me to jump in my seat. "Oh, shit. My bad. I'm sorry. I ain't mean to scare you, but what the fuck?"

It's true. Yasir is nasty, but this is behavior my mother didn't correct. Now, when we were children, she made him clean up, but once he turned grown, he was nasty as I don't know what. As a grown man, this dude would leave the toilet just like that and it would definitely piss me off, but I always ended up cleaning it up. Same thing with the tub/shower. Disgusting!

I'm positive Ashari is happy she doesn't have to live with cleaning up after him all day and telling her to submit to his bullshit. If you don't already know, Yasir wants a woman to submit to him even with the type of person he is. He blames everyone, especially women for his failures.

It's hard for me to let Yasir go because he's my brother, but for my sanity and peace, it needs to happen. He's toxic and it's crazy that I once looked up to him. I just hope that he's changing because Asiri will feel his wrath and hatred for the female gender. I sure as hell do as his sister- well did because I'm not tolerating this shit. Either act right or you don't. Period, point, blank!

"Just raised differently like most of us in the black community are. Girls/women have to be this way and boys/girls have to be that way. also, oldest and younger sibling duties. You know... The traditional things." I shrugged.

"I feel you. Some traditions can be good, but those- the ones your brother goes by are... Disgusting!"

"Blaming my mother completely isn't right, because a lot of that is what he learned on his own, but that sure was part of it. Plus, he's a grown-ass man. My mother is taking some steps in changing herself. Slowly, but surely when it comes to CERTAIN things." I explained to him because I can't completely blame her for a grown man who now has the mind to think for himself.

"You ain't traditional like that, huh?" He asked me being funny, but I answered his question

"Holiday-wise, YES. Those were almost always fun, but everything else, I had to unlearn because... Well, you see the outcome of a lot of it through Yasir's actions. However, I am a bit traditional on other things too. You know."

"No, I do. I see it. Not the toxic kind though, like ol' boy." He said releasing his bottom lip. "I'm tempted to pull the fuck over and piss on the side of this highway."

"Then do it. Just don't touch me with them diggum smack fingers afterwards." I pointed at him. Donald drove over to the slow lane, pulling over. "You really finna pee on the side of the highway?"

"Yes. That's how bad I gotta piss. Can you push your seat back, please? Ion wanna walk out on my side and get hit or my door gets ripped off." I heard the click of his seatbelt as he spoke.

I pushed my seat back and he reached over me, opening the door. "Let me climb in the back and open this door so nobody won't see you." I spoke, climbing into the back, then doing exactly as I said. Donald climbed from the driver's seat to the passengers side, then outside. "Hurry up because the police might come when they see us pulled over like this."

The wind from the passing cars shook this one. "Don't worry. This gon' be quick." He turned his body away from me. "Babe, don't watch me piss. I'm shy and it ain't gon' come out." His head turned to me.

"I can't see nothin' and I'm not tryna watch you pee. Stop sayin' weird stuff."

"You watchin' my back is the same thing." He twirled his fingers at me.

I rolled my eyes and turned my head away from him and to the cars zooming by on the other side. I heard him peeing and it was zooming too. He groaned in relief as he finished.

"Shit." He mumbled then I heard a zip.

"You're-" my phone rang as he climbed back into the car and crossed over to the driver's seat. Before answering the phone I looked at the number and it's my mother. "Hello?" I spoke into the speaker, climbing back into my seat.

"What's this about Yasir saying you banned him from your house? He said y'all got into it- he got into it with you and De."

"Yeah..." I said in a matter-of-fact tone, strapping myself back in. Donald did the same. "He's banned until he apologizes to me and I don't mean a dry apology or his definition of an apology. I mean, a REAL apology. He got disrespectful- as always, so yep! I banned him. I don't want him past my gates period. I don't care if it's to see you guys, my security are not allowed to let him pass." I explained to my mother all in one breath.

"Disrespectful in what way? What'd he do? And why did your boyfriend have to jump in it if it's just between y'all?"

"It wasn't JUST a sibling thing. He was standing up for me as well as himself. Yasir came at him sideways too. He tried to fight Donald because he was apparently making Yasir feel like a beta or some mess. It ain't happen though. Your son is disrespectful and ungrateful and keeps running to you, telling you things but NEVER being fully honest. He tells everyone else's dirt, but always seems to leave his dirt out."

"Yasir only got smart one time and came off disrespectful in the same situation. I put him in line and that ain't ever happen since." She said taken aback. "So... No, I don't think he's disrespectful or anything, but he does have problems."

"To you." I heard my Daryl in the background.

"I'm- mmmm." I mumbled with my eyes closed and a nod, refraining from saying anything out of the way. "Okay. I love you, bye." I said before hanging up my cellular device. "We don't have to go out. I'm not even in a mood to. We can just go back to the crib." I spoke then my phone rang again to which I answered. "Hello?"

"Hey, girl," Eej spoke. "Where you at? You good?" He said checking in on me.

"I'm good. I'm with my man. You home?" I asked him.

"Nope, I just left not too long ago. I'm on my way to go see my man." Elijah replied.

"Overnight or...?" I trailed off.

"YES, overnight. Y'all can be as loud as you want!" Elijah yelled out laughing. "I'm going straight to the office in the morning."

Donald started laughing because he had heard Elijah. "Aye, nigga! That was the damn TV!"

I looked at him surprised and Elijah replied. "Y'all both came up with the same damn TIRED excuse!" He laughed.

"For real?" Donald asked me. "He all the way on the other side of the house. How the fuck-"

"DeVanté, you got a deep ass voice which automatically makes you sound louder. No matter how hard you whisperin' on the other end, I can still hear yo ass." Elijah said loudly into my ear, so I moved it away from my ear.

"You loud regardless," Donald told him and I put it on speaker. "ALWAYS and for NO damn reason." He chuckled.

"That's just me and don't drink my shit!" Elijah told him.

"Don't worry. I don't like that brand anyways." Donald replied.

"Then You shouldn't have drank it all the times you have. Anywho... Girl, I love you, but I gotta go." Elijah told me.

"I love you too. Bye." I hung up.

"I thought you was just playin' when you said that earlier. I guess not, but you can be loud as fuck, but at least you ain't dramatic." Donald eyed me.

"What? You don't like the way I express myself?"

"Mmmm." He rapidly, but stiffly shook his head no.

"Please pay attention to the road," I told him.

"I see where I'm going, baby." He replied. "To answer your question, I LOVE that shit. Ion even knows why you even fix your lips to say that." He chuckled. "It's my motivation. My GOAL."

"Okay, Donald." I nodded.

"So we goin' to yo house now. Is that correct?" He asked me.

"I mean... we could. We can be in the basement and have FREE fun. We could just pick up some food though or order it?" I looked at him again. "What you think?"

"We can definitely order. THAT way you gon' be able to make up your mind. This whole ride will give you the time you need. HOPEFULLY." He cracked at me.

"I'm a woman who KNOWS what she wants." I threw back at him.

"Mmm..." He popped his mouth at me, then licked his lips. "Nahhh, baby. Well, you tell that to the waiters" he pointed his index finger at me. "And- and- and- the drive-through workers." He thought it was so funny that he laughed with his tongue out, elbowing my side.

I smirked. "Haha, that was so funny that I forgot to laugh." My tone came out as sarcastic, then started laughing. "A'ight, you got me. It's hard though. It's like wanting to play it safe, but also wanting to try something new. It's difficult."

"Mhm, but you have a hard time choosing outfits, hairstyles, shoes, jewelry, AND food."

"That list needs to be narrowed down because jewelry, hairstyles, and shoes are ALL in the outfit genre. They're all dependent variables. Food stands alone unless there's something planned afterward because you KNOW I'm lactose." I replied.

"Those are INDEPENDENT variables. That doesn't have to be based on the other thing. I just say fuck it and leave the house. As long as my hair did and my fit right, I'm good."

I rapidly nodded laughing. "Look babe, YOU ain't gotta tell ME NOTHING! I see you and be telling you that certain hairstyles- and don't even get me started on your shoes not matching your attire. I even offer you to my hair services, but you being you gon' do whatever."

"I feel like you hinting towards my pigtails and pompom balls. Let it go, baby!" He laughed. "I don't leave like that no more. I'm strict on wearing it in the house and in the house ONLY."

"I didn't say all of that. You somehow pull them off and be looking good, but with certain fits, it just ain't it." I shook my head at him.

"Baby, you foul for that." He smiled.

"No, you be asking for my opinion and when I tell you, you wave it off as if I'm hatin'. Uhhh, NOT! Then you be wearing the largest balls on the base of your ponytails sometimes. Don't pretend." I cackled.

"I thought it was cool. It was a phase. Shit." He laughed. "That phase is long gone now."

"I'm just wondering, what's the next phase?"

"The ones we'll both go through AND get through together." He answered, lacing our fingers together.

"I love that response. We sure are gonna get through them together."

"For sho'."

Then I looked at him, bringing his hand close to my nose, sniffing it. "You ain't even clean your hands." I pretended to gag from the smell.

He howled out a laugh. "Stop playin' wit' me, Tia. My shit don't stink and I know you lyin'. I just washed my ass for the second time today before we left."

"We both know that. I ain't ever smelled you though. Unless you fart. Them thangs are fatal." I laughed.

"Don't pretend like yours don't. Whenever you eat a bunch of fibrous shit, which IS often but ESPECIALLY when you eat dairy products." He shook his head. "I be wanting to scream, FIRE IN THE HOLE!" He cackled.

I laughed right along with him. "You ain't right."

"Tell that to yo ass!" He laughed even more that tears came out of his eyes. He wiped them with the hand that previously held mine.

Our laughter died down after a while. "I didn't get to tell you earlier, but you know why I was so excited?"

"What's new? But no, why?"

"I closed in on my deal." I beamed.

"Deal..." He thought aloud, snapping his fingers. "The lot at the mall?"

"Yes!" I said excitedly all over again. "I'm so happy and it isn't the shared brand that I have with Eej. I really did think about merging the two- you know, putting them in the same store, then I remembered how uncomfortable it could be for a woman to be looking for personal things with a bunch of men. Plus, it'd be harder to divide the shares. Terrible idea."

"Exactly. I was about to say that." Donald replied.

"That part of the mall gets a lot of traffic too, so I know it was a good deal. A bit surprised on the lot not being snatched up sooner, but then I had to look at the rent..." I spoke with wide eyes looking at him from the corner of my eyes.

"I happy as hell for you. If you would've told me sooner, I definitely would have had something planned for today to celebrate. When will you open?" He asked me.

"I've been working on my Valentine's Day Lingerie, so I'm thinking the first of February," I replied. "That way I'll get enough time to draw in more customers, before the holiday."

"Smart as fuck, but why not this month? Christmas is coming up."

"That means that I'll have to rush and I haven't even come up with a Christmas theme. Also, Valentine's Day is sexier."

"You should model it for me someday like you do with everything else." He glanced at me with his chin resting between his index and thumb.

"You ain't slick, DeGrate. I'll consider it though." I nodded.

Word Count: 7,430
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