They had been at it all day, shopping, washing and wiping down the walls, kitchen countertops and everything. Keyz was serious. After the way those reports cards looked being home all day in virtual school, he was pissed. Cree had all kinds of attitude, sassing at the mouth at Iyana who was too busy with the new baby while KJ was spitting spit balls on everyone. That was his new favorite thing. He was definitely a boy's boy, rough and not easily tamed. Whoopings came so often, Keyz ran the risk of DCF getting involved. So he did something he should have done years ago--make their little asses work for food, sleep and clothing.
"Daddy?" Cree groaned as her bottom lip quivered."When can we eat?"
"Eat? What's that?" he asked his wife that sat nearby burping the baby who was good and full.
"Daddy," Cree cried out, stomping her foot until he shocked up with from his lazy boy chair, feeling lazy and mellow. Two blunts in will do that to you and he was about to sneak off and hit a third one. He didn't care if they never gassed up the grill. He had more than enough to eat, gazing at his wife who took care of him this morning right on the kitchen counter.
"But...but," KJ started then stopped when his father looked his way. "The bathroom is clean...I think," he said, hoping it was. His poor hands looked like a poor man's hands, all wrinkling as if he'd been spraying and wiping windshields off all day for some spare change.
Kaison was walking and baby talking, every other word a curse word which told them their kids had been speaking like grown folks as Iyana's Nana would say. Keyz didn't care. If she said shit one more time, it was all ass and legs in the air for her behind.
"If you have to think, it ain't clean." Then he looked at Cree and asked, "What about that kitchen. My wife is not your slave. She won't be in there cleaning just to mess it up for y'all."
"But she messes it up for you, daddy. I saw it this morning. Right, KJ?" she said when he took off. He wanted no parts of Cree's foolishness when Kaison said, "damn" this time instead of "shit".
With the way things were going. the only going boom, pop and pow were from the sounds of Keyz and Iyana's children's mouths.
Four hours later as they sat around the pool, Keyz took a swig of his Corona as he rubbed Iyana's feet. Ishmael, his eldest, was home with his own wife. This was their first 4th of July, taking the lead on purchasing the first works and his wife, Pepper, cooking the food.
Even though the food was good, Cree and KJ committed to being upset, they felt like they'd clean for nothing. Especially since all the food they ain't was brought over by Ishmael and Pepper. But not Kaison, she sat in the corner by the sliding glass door, gnawing on a mexican corn on the cob.
"Daddy, you better get your baby," Cree told him. Keyz felt bad now, watching Cree pout. He loved her to no end, but he'd spoiled her and was trying to right his wrongs. Then he looked at his wife. If she had treated him the way he deserved based on their history, he wouldn't even have her.
He got up and washed his hands, quickly made Cree and KJ a plate, calling them over. Iyana grinned yet said nothing. She knew sooner or later, he would give it. He adored his seeds, stacking a plate of cookies and slices of pie too.
"Cree, go get your brother then sit over here with me and your mother. Kaison will be alright," he said, watching his sister Sunshine scoop her up. Sunshine had a house with seven kids. One more on her hip meant nothing.
Once they eaten and were full, the fireworks were next. Cree and KJ crawled in Keyz lap and he kissed their foreheads as they looked up in the sky. The sky lit up and even ask the explosions filled the air, as they covered their ears, he knew he'd done the right thing.
He had his three bad ass kids, his wife that he would love for eternity and his blunt he was about to smoke as soon as they all went off to bed.
Happy 4th of July from Author Tisha Andrews AKA Lil Drew and THE CREWWWWW! We appreciate you! Stay safe, love on each other and keep showing up. Life is better when you do!
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