Keeping Secrets

(a good) Mama knows Best

Sitting outside of the house Tre honked the horn unnecessarily thinking he was being funny. Malike went to the door and yelled at him to stop all that playing.

Malike: If y'all don't quit with all that.

Tre: Get dressed we gotta go.

Malike: Go where? We tryna sleep.

Tre: Go grab them girls and get yo sleepy ass in the car.

Malike stomped back in the house and told Nia what was going on. They got dressed, and grabbed Jania’s stuff. On the ride to wherever they were going Jania laughed and smiled the whole time. Nikki was half asleep and half awake. Niaomi played with Jania while Malike was on his phone making plans. Tre stayed focused on the road; but in his thoughts he was wondering what he was gonna tell his best friend about his house.

Trevon P. O. V.

Today I really felt like we all needed a day away. So I grabbed the whole fam and we taking a trip to my mama house. Something else I was thinking about was how to tell Malike about what I saw. For anybody else I would of just straight up let em know, but Malike got a very low to non existent tolerance for that shit. He one of them strap up and kill a nigga by himself type people. Only problem is if I wait too long and he find out on his own then he gone know I knew about it. Mainly cause I can't keep a secret. Honestly ain't no reason for secrets; just say what you mean and mean what you say. And if you don't want nobody to hear it; don't say shit. Anyways I need to be focused on the road.

When they pulled up Tre’s mom was standing on the porch. Malike jumped out and ran to hug her. After that he went back to grab Jania and Nia. Tre was helping Nikki over to the porch swing while his mama was playing with the baby.

Brenda (Tre’s Mom): It’s so good to see my babies again. And we have some new faces. Who are these lovely young ladies?

Tre: It's nice to see you to ma. This is my Girlfriend Nicole. You remember Malike and that's his girl Niaomi. And there little one Jania.

Brenda: Boy don't have me kick my adopted son in the mouth on a Sunday.

Tre: Mama what you  talkin bout?

Brenda: Malike this better be a joke and you just babysittin. Cause if yo yellow ass got a baby and you still a baby yo self…. Oooo, you got three seconds to explain.

Malike: Oh, mama it's not like that. I promise. Jania isn't my biological child. My mother left her on my sister's porch with a note that she was supposed to be given to me. So now we’re raising her.

Brenda: That bitch, sorry Lord… Excuse me, that sorry woman did what? You ain't nothin but a baby yourself. Hell you  ain't even 21 yet. You know what… let's come on in the house; I gotta finish cooking. Come on in the kitchen with me sweetie (directed toward Nia); you look like you can cook. The rest of y'all go set my table, change that baby, then plant your but on that couch.

Nikki went to change Jania while Malike and Tre set the table. Tre took the opportunity to tell Malike what happened. To Tre’s surprise Malike was cool. All he said was “I hope they got good practice.”

Tre: Nigga what?

Malike: I don't leave shit in my house and you know this (laughing). I got everything I need in the places they need to be. On top of that I got responsibilities now. I can't be running around chasing niggas down.

Tre: Aight. I'm proud of you man (fake crying), you finally growin up.

Malike: Shut up (laughing).

In the kitchen….

Brenda: Honey pass me the flour. And go ahead and tell me why you haven't talked to that boy.

Nia: I'm not sure what you're talking about.

Brenda: Darlin I've raised three kids and they all are turning out great. They didn't start that way though. Lord knows if I had a dime for every time I had to yell at them kids from the time they was six years old to now; baby girl I'd be rich. Now I'm not pushing you, but it's gonna hurt you if you keep it in.

Nia: (starts to cry) I just don't know how to deal with it. The problem is that my mother recently started contacting me saying she's gonna come get me. That I'm still her kid and she is gonna get back what she put in. (Crying harder) I'm scared I don't know how to tell Malike. I've never told him about my family before and now we have Jania; so it's not something I planned on. On top of that, after everything that's already happened… I just don't want to get him riled up.

Brenda: (Holding Nia in her arms.) Baby listen to me. That boy loves you, and he needs to know. And if things get hard he will be there. And if he turns into a dumb ass about it, you can come to me.

After thanking Ms. Brenda Nia went in the bathroom to clean up her face.

Malike: What’s s wrong with you? Nia. Nia! Niaomi Naveah Kendrick!

Tre: Bro chill. She gone come back out.

Malike: Shut up sometimes damn. She fucking crying man. Anything could fuckin happen.

Tre: Oh, I ain't know she was crying.

Nikki: Here Malike grab Jania. I'm bout to go check on her.

Brenda: Now all of y'all just need to come sit down at the table. That girl is gonna be alright.

Tre: Ma what did you say to her?

Brenda: Mind your business Tre.

After a wonderful meal, Ms. Brenda played with Jania and the boys went outside to talk. The girls had a drink in the living room where Nia was trying to force Nikki to tell her what's going on with her and Tre. She wouldn't talk tho. All she said was "we good, he just loose his mind from time to time. As you know ( trying to laugh off the question.) Nia wasn't buying the bs, but she let it go anyway. Because she wasn't giving up info about her problems either.