Page 26 of The Ninth

“Oh, Devy. Dooda from the hood, mamas!” I said as nicely as I could. The three of them laughed as I opened the cabinets.

This woman made him the prettiest snack plate. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, and tomatoes surrounding a nice size amount of fat free ranch. She even gave him one single Hershey Kiss which was the only thing he ate. I chuckled to myself just thinking how differently we grew up.

“Thank you anyways, girl. It’s not your fault my mama was giving him roast at five months old,” Tati said sweetly.

I got a clear baggie down and a variety of chips. Devyn watched in awe as I put in hot crunchy curls, Doritos, white cheddar popcorn, ruffles, and salt and vinegar chips. Doodas took his baggy and disappeared to the front. Tati sat next to Devyn, eating the plate she made him while Kenzie ordered pizza.

“How is your mother, Tatianna?” Devyn asked.

“Oh, my mama good! Kelisha still a hood legend. Still out west.”

“And, um, Doodas is how old?”

“Doodas is three. Poncho his deddy. Why, you know somebody fucking him?”

I cackled, “Bitch she been here for A DAY.”

“It only take that nigga an hour.”

“Have you ever met TayTay?” I asked Devyn before sitting down. “I don’t think you’ve been back since he came.”

She blinked, “TayTay?”

“That’s my little brother. He’s seven. My baby has a few heart conditions and is constantly having surgeries. Can’t run, play sports, nothing. I would’ve been retired, but I gotta care for my first son,” Tati pushed the plate away.

“Where’s his dad? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“He got shot and killed. It crushed my mama losing Tay’s dad. They were engaged and everything. It hurt extra because he was shot and killed right behind her house like my deddy and her other boyfriend was.”

The room got quiet. Devyn looked as if she was going to start crying. Tati gets emotional over her dad and stepdad, but she always holds it together. I watched as Kenzie slowly raised her head from looking at her phone screen.

“Damn, Tati....I’m starting to think Kelisha the shooter.”

The scream that left my body would’ve gotten the police called if these walls wasn’t thick as hell. Devyn’s hands flew to her mouth as she tried not to laugh. Both Tati and Kenzie fell out their chairs, crying laughing. I laughed extra hard because Tatianna did investigate that shit for like a month back in the day. These bitches is slow.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I stood while clutching my stomach, “I’m glad the pizza here, y’all hoes tweakin!”

“Baby, I just now pressed order on that. That’s not the pizza man.”

The laughter died down. Me and Tati shared a weary glance. “Then who? Everybody who has security clearance is in this apartment. The only other person is....”

“Bitch. That nigga dug a tunnel under the jail OH EM GEEE, HE’S HEREEEE!” Kenzie yelled.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I turned the lights off and then turned them back on.

“Kenzie, stop! You’re making me anxious. It can’t be him.”

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I slowly left the kitchen and walked to the front door. I watched as the knob pulled down once. The idea of this nigga breaking out when he couldn’t get ahold of me wasn’t far-fetched. A piece of me was worried an opp of his found my place. But my nigga don’t got opps. He still made sure I was put up, regardless.

My hand touched the cold doorhandle. I looked back, rolling my eyes at Tati and Kenzie who were gripping each other and Devyn who’s eyes were about to fall out her head. I took a deep breath, unlocking and snatching the door open.

K3’s niece’s boyfriend stood there with a phone in his hand. He cleared his throat,