Page 96 of K.I.N.: Karma Is Near

“Samantha!”

I laughed.

“I’m joking.”

Mostly.

“Ma!” Zion yelled from the hallway. “I found my hoodie!”

“Congratulations! Where was it?”

“On my bed!”

I closed my eyes.

Of course it was.

“Everybody, shoes and coats! Let’s go!”

That started another ten minutes of bullshit.

By the time we finally got downstairs, I had Serenity in her carrier, the diaper bag hanging off one shoulder and Michael holding my hand because he’d already tried running ahead twice.

Our Pathfinder was parked out front.

I kept the truck most of the time because I had the kids more and trying to fit four children and all their shit into Xay’s Charger was stupid.

Nesha’s car was two houses down.

“I’ll follow y’all,” she said.

“Okay.”

She kissed Serenity’s cheek.

“See you there, pretty girl.”

“Zion, take your brother.”

“I always gotta take him.”

“Because you’re the oldest.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Neither is childbirth. Take your brother.”

Nesha started laughing again as she headed toward her car.

Xay was already sitting in the Pathfinder.

Of fucking course.

Instead of helping me get four kids out the house, this nigga had apparently decided his contribution was warming the car up.

I walked closer.

He was on the phone.