“Y’all done lost y’all muthafuckin’ minds if you think she here to serve you.”
“Wait! Hang on, big boy. We just tryna’ eat. You can’t be going Hulk on us this early in the fucking morning, bro!” Alton’s words were bold, but his tone was pleading as he raised his palms in a defensive manner.
“It won’t hurt her to show a little hospitality when she’s been invited to stay overnight at an MVP’s place. She should be grateful,” Tynisha grated. “She don’t want to get cut from this team. We winning.”
My neck shot over to her. Again, Stenton stepped in.
“Don’t start your shit, Ty!” he cautioned her.
Seething, I carried our plates over to the island and took a seat next to Stenton.
“In case you didn’t get the memo, you’re more than welcome to what I’ve cooked, but it won’t be served.”
Alton sucked his teeth. “Man, Ty, get me some food. That shit smell good as hell and look it, too.”
“You can ask nicer, boy,” Tynisha hissed as she walked to the cabinet for plates.
I could see Stenton’s jaw tighten as he chewed. He was livid. We ate in silence while Tynisha filled their plates. I didn’t know how I would handle these two, but I knew that I would. I had to. I also knew that their animosity originated from Alton’s affair with my cousin, Angela, last summer.
As I brooded, I felt Stenton’s big hand cup my right thigh. I looked to my right and saw him wink, I understood, offering me comfort. I wasn’t afraid, but I knew I wouldn’t be happy until this was addressed.
Tynisha arrived at the island and sat with us. As soon as Alton’s plate arrived in front of him, he dug in. The moans he belted in satisfaction were bordering on sensual. Tynisha issued him a warning glare, to which he paid no attention as he feasted.
“Yo, Zo, man, I knew you was smart, but I ain’t know you could lay it down in the kitchen like this until we was up in Alpine back in January. Remember that, StentRo? That chicken was the fuckin’ bomb, bro!”
Tynisha’s neck snapped over to him. Stenton’s forehead wrinkled in disbelief of that reference, I’d guessed. I could honestly understand Tynisha’s thinking as a woman. Her man just brought up a fond memory with a woman that reminded her of a disgraceful era in her relationship. Anything associated with me would bring my cousin to mind. She didn’t like that, and I couldn’t blame her. Alton was such a tool. Maybe because of her pride, or simple better judgment, Tynisha didn’t respond to Alton’s stroll down memory lane. She went a different route.
“What was up with all that moaning and screaming I heard up there last night?”
My eyes shot over to Stenton, who glanced up from his plate and glared at Tynisha.
I reached for the hot sauce as I quickly and audibly murmured, “Funny, I was going to ask what was up with the silence I heard from downstairs.” When I was planted on my seat I squared eyes with Tynisha’s. “After three kids the thrill is gone I see. Lost that elasticity, I guess.”
Alton sputtered his orange juice and Stenton choked on his food.
I had to play it cool. I knew how to deal effectively with bullies. I’d always been a target as a kid, between being the devout church girl and highest achiever in school.
“Now, wait on here a minute, little girl!” Tynisha’s Jamaican accent was rearing.
“No! You wait. I understand why you would be skeptical of me, but I am not my cousin.”
“Thank god hoe-ism ain’t in the blood,” Alton mumbled.