Page 186 of When a Soul Cries

Baby lotion.

Baby food.

Snacks.

Pajamas.

Outfits.

Socks.

Shoes.

And one stuffed elephant so big I had no idea where she thought Halo was supposed to put it.

“Ms. Irene, you did not have to buy all this.”

She waved me off.

“First of all, don’t call me Ms. Irene. Makes me feel like somebody’s old auntie.”

Rome walked into the kitchen at exactly the wrong time.

“You are somebody’s old auntie.”

Sugga’s head snapped around.

“Boy, shut the hell up.”

I burst out laughing.

Rome looked at me.

“Don’t encourage her.”

Sugga ignored him and pulled another tiny outfit from a bag.

“Look at this, Sol.”

It was pink with little flowers across the front.

I smiled. “That’s cute.”

“I know. I got another one too.”

“Mama.”

“What?”

“What the hell is all this?”

Sugga slowly looked around at the mountain of baby supplies.

“Looks like stuff for a baby to me.”

“She already got diapers.”

“Now she got more.”