Page 46 of The Ninth

Me: YEAH! ACTUALLY, LET ME CALL PIPER AFTER THIS! YOUR SONS ARE INSANE!

K2: He’s not insane, he’s in love! Cassie, are you not visiting because you haven’t grew anymore inches yet?!

The three of us laughed.

Me: I will be informing Kenzo of your joke. He said I was perfect how I am; I’ll have you know.

K2: Love, baby girl!

Me: Always!

Mama J: So, of course I love you. You’re my first daughter-in-law, and I always mean it from my heart when I reach out and speak to you.

Me: Of course. I love you too.

Mama J: I do have a selfish favor to ask. I will be going out of town next month. Piper is considering getting her masters in New York, so we’re going to visit the school and check everything out for two weeks. I would miss my in person visitation and was hoping I could snag yours this month.

My stomach dropped instantly. I’ve never been more nervous to tell a hoe no before. I love Mama J and of course I don’t mind but...

Over the past six months, the inmates have been showing their ass in Cook County. They limited them to one in person visitation a month. Kenzo made a strict schedule for all of us to follow, with me being every other month. If I skip this month? It’ll be three months total until I see him again. Plus...this month of all months?

Mama J: Take your time, baby. It’s okay to say no. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I promise to give y’all four months alone before we come and see him once he’s out.

I chuckled.

Me: No, it’s okay, Mama J. Of course you can take it. But I’ma hold you to those four months, now. On my soul.

She cackled but I was dead serious.

Mama J: You have my word. Bye, baby. Call soon. I love you.

Me: I love you too.

As soon as the call ended, K3 FaceTimed me. I answered immediately, smiling softly at his handsome self. He was smiling but quickly stopped.

K3: Cassandra, what’s wrong?

Me: I didn’t say anything was wrong.

K3: Why you look like that?

Me: You don’t know me.

K3: I know you better than you do. Tell me now, Cassandra.

Me: I just spoke to your moth—

K3: Wait, is everything okay?!

Me: Yes, Deddy. You gotta let me finish. Everyone is well. It’s just, she asked to switch visitation days with me this month.

K3: Aw. I hope you told her ass no, she’s tweakin!

Me: She’s not tweakin. She’s busy next month with Piper. I told her yes.

K3: Cassandra, you shouldn’t have done that. I made that schedule personally and I made it that way for a reason. You was supposed to come visit me the day before your parent’s death date. You know how hard that day is for you, Crybaby. I was supposed to get to hug and kiss on you before you went through it. Nah... I can’t let this happen, on my granny. What about you?

Me: I’ll be fine! That woman pushed you out.