Terminal 1

The Declaration

Same Day...
Big Ma's kitchen

"You ok Beverly?" "I'm just worried." "Lissen. Imani is no trouble. She's just been through a lot and angry that she's all alone." Big Ma said.

"Can you blame her?" Amanda asked. "Why'd you say that?" "Imani lost her grandparents the day after she was born. Well really it was her grandfather first then her grandmother shortly after that." Big Ma explained. "Later on down the line, she lost her father when she was 5 and then her sister the day Iyonna was born. Their mother died a month thereafter and she tried to commit suicide which is why she had to be instutionalized."

"Oh wow." Beverly gasped with her hand over her mouth.

"Now with that being said, it does not excuse her behavior to be disrespectful, which is why Zac told her to go outside. Imani knows I don't play about my Peanut." she reiterated.

"I wonder if Fatima knows?" Amanda asked randomly.

"She does." Big Ma and Beverly replied simultaneously.

"They had that conversation a long time ago." Big Ma informed them. "He knew one day she would show up and didn't want Fatima to be blindsided." "Do you think it'll be a problem when Fatima tries to adopt Iyonna?" "It might be but again," Big Ma places her shotgun on the counter. "If she knows what's best for her. She'll do what's best for Iyonna."

They hear the backdoor close, they all look in the direction. Zac walks into the kitchen grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, opening it then drink.

They watch him gulp the water down without stopping as he finished the entire bottle within seconds.

"You ok, Son/Peanut?" they all ask.

He nods catching a breath. "Big Ma..." "I'm already on it Peanut. You go get some rest before the party." She told him,

"Thank you." he said, as they heard the backdoor close again.

Zac makes his way to his bedroom to be with Iyonna and Fatima, however just as he's leaving the kitchen, Imani is coming into the kitchen.

"Zac..." "Aht, AHT! Get ya ass in here an' have a seat." Big Ma said, pointing to the chair at the table across from Beverly with her shotgun.

Imani doesn't hestitate seeing the gun in Big Ma's hand. Knowing full well of her skills, she sits.

Gulping, "I just..." "No. You've done enough talking. Now. You listen." Big Ma said, placing the gun down.

"And don't think about making no sudden moves either cause my good daughter Beverly is a master at throwing knives." she warned.

Beverly played along because truth be told, she'd never done such a thing in her entire life. But for the sake of the situation, she figured why not.

"Now I get that you're upset about Zac moving on with his life but Imani what did you expect for him to do. And before you answer that. He spent every waking moment in THIS here house, taking care of me and Iyonna while working 16 hour shifts, sometimes double, to hide the pain he felt losing Ivy. He didn't go out, well actually he did ONE date but sent that hoe packing because she said that Iyonna was "taking too much of his time". Now fast forward, he met Fatima randomly but still stayed the course. He's been pursing his dreams and aspirations while trying to heal, and being a DAMN good father to Iyonna. He never stopped loving your sister and probably never will but that life is OVER Imani and there is nothing or noone that can bring her back. However the only thing we can do is celebrate the life she left behind for us."

At this point Imani is a ball of tears, as Amanda gave her a tissue to wipe them. "Fatima IS a great BONUS mom to Iyonna. I know because I've seen it. She risks her life and her job to help out around here so that Iyonna doesn't miss out. She doesn't have to do that." "I know..." Imani voiced through her tears. "I just..."