Brothers and Wives by Cydney Rax ppt

[...]... quickly comes to see what I want and agrees to team up: me and Neil against LaNecia and his brother Vette holds Brax in her lap so they can watch us play Neil is seated across from me, and Scottie is on my right side, with Vette and Brax on my left LaNecia sits across from Scottie, and Ka is seated next to Neil “I’ll shuffle,” Neil offers, and he deals the first deck “First hand bids itself No bidding,”... trash and slamming cards And when Scottie calls over a young relative and offers him a dollar to bring me a big cup of lemonade, then openly shares it with me by sipping on my straw, I don’t know whether to act happy or annoyed when both LaNecia and Anya look stunned Neil and I win by three books and celebrate with a high five Anya gapes at Neil like he’s lost his mind, then abruptly turns around and. .. craning their necks and staring more at LaNecia’s antics than at me and my fancy dance moves I slow things down a notch until I’m standing still Thankfully, I hear my name being called and turn around to see Brax sitting on Vette’s nap He waves happily at me I wave back, then return to our table, take a seat next to them, and scoop Brax into my arms I give him a loving hug He squirms and yells, “No, Mommy,... way,” I say and cover my face with my hands and start sniffing loudly and moaning “Ahhh,” I cry I peek at Brax through my fingers His mouth is wide open as he gapes at me with his big ole pretty eyes “Mama, don’t cry Sorry.” I look up, laugh, and squeeze his cheek “Got ya, Brax.” He laughs, too, giving me a toothy grin “Y’all so crazy, Dani You are still the same, girl.” Vette -1— 0— +1— 18 Rax_ 9780307460097_2p_01_r1.indd... one final look at the man who made me feel like a princess today and decide I’ve had enough I grab Brax’s hand and head for my car Vette follows me “I’m ready to go Do me a favor and find my little red cooler and set it aside for me, okay? But even if you can’t find it, whatever.” “Sure, I’ll get your cooler for you, and I totally understand if you don’t feel like staying any longer It’s been a heck of... Scottie is considerate and intriguing,” I tell her, my voice rising with emotion “His —-1 —0 —+1 23 Rax_ 9780307460097_2p_01_r1.indd 23 4/16/10 5:55 PM Cydney Rax approach was adorable, and I love how he was into me, but all this drama ” I laugh abruptly, then stop “I ain’t trying to go backward Trying to move forward.” I wave ’bye to Vette and thoughtfully observe Scottie and LaNecia from the safe... anything But I’ll prove ’em wrong They my family and I love ’em, but fuck ’em.” A comfortable silence develops between us, and we stare at each other Scottie rises to his big ole feet He gently grabs my hand and whisks me out of my seat “I love talking to you, darling, but we need to get back.” “That’s okay I’m cool.” I slide my feet into my flip-flops and stand up By the time we get back to the Meadows setup,... overtaken by the bad.” And where does that girl come in?” “He got her pregnant .” “I can’t take this!” “Calm down They lost the baby, and they’ve been over, but she thinks she’s in love with him.” Vette pauses And that confrontation y’all went through on the dance floor prepare to go through much more than that if you’re interested in Scottie Meadows LaNecia is the type to take you to hell and back.”... friend When those two get together, don’t pay them any mind They’re young and wild like the rest of the fam Ka may as well be in the fam as much as she hangs around.” Karetha produces a forced smile, and I want to throw up a hand and tell her, “Save the phoniness Don’t bother.” But I swallow my pride and grin, extending my fingers for a handshake “Pleasure to meet you Hey, Vette, you don’t have to explain... worth an argument.” Several minutes pass as Vette and Karetha gossip while I spend time playing peekaboo with Brax We’re interrupted when Scottie and LaNecia wander over to our table He apologizes for the commotion about the music and suggests we strike up a spades game while he takes a break LaNecia immediately grabs his arm, pleading to be his partner, and he says okay I look at Vette, but she shakes . are Rax_ 9780307460097_2p_01_r1.indd 1 4Rax_ 9780307460097_2p_01_r1.indd 14 4/16/10 5:55 PM4/16/10 5:55 PM —-1 —0 —+1 15 Brothers and Wives preachers and. the Rax_ 9780307460097_2p_01_r1.indd 1 6Rax_ 9780307460097_2p_01_r1.indd 16 4/16/10 5:55 PM4/16/10 5:55 PM —-1 —0 —+1 17 Brothers and Wives nerve to stand