Please excuse ANY grammatical errors.

July 23, 1998

~Tia's P.O.V~

"So Donald and Tia, why don't you join the conversation?" Mary J said stopping Donald and I conversation.

"Sure." I turned around for my and replied.

"You do movies, right? Weren't you part of the Juice production?" Mary J asked me.

"I was. What about it?" I questioned.

"You're the reason for black men's demise. Promoting gang violence and all. How do you feel about that?" Mary asked.

I turned to Donald with my tongue in my jaw, giving him a look. This ain't too bad but... I chuckle before replying. "I'm- I'M not in charge of black men's actions or anyone else's. I'm a woman black men are black men. That movie doesn't promote gang violence. In fact, it does the complete opposite of what you may think. There was a lesson that many people learned from that movie. What exactly did you learn?" I leaned forward.

"I learned that you were trying to paint black men as thugs and they aren't. You highlighted the stereotypes. You're part of the reason for black men not being in the homes with their parents." Mary J replied, looking at Donald.

I placed my hand on my chest. "Oh, wow. My father as well as many others with absent fathers were LONG gone before I started writing before I learned to walk."

"Yo, somethin' is definitely wrong with you! You buggin'! That ain't my child and you need to get that through yo thick brain." Donald pointed at her.

"Take the DNA test so she can shut the hell up!" His uncle Eddie replied. Mary chuckled and looked to Mr. and Mrs. DeGrate.

"I learned who REALLY had the juice," Dalvin spoke up.

"Oh, yeah? Who was that?" I asked Dalvin.

"The smartest one of them all; Q. The one who wasn't involved in everything. The peacemaker of the group. I don't think she was glorifying anything. What you took from that film ain't what the black community took from that. While you over there tryna sound like the woke white woman." Dalvin chuckled. "The movie was all that," Dalvin emphasized.

"Exactly." Donald cosigned. "You trippin'."

"Right, it teaches not just black men, but everyone who watched that film that being a follower, a gang member, and hanging with the wrong crowd leads you to one of two places. Dead or locked up. It's a prevention movie, not an encouragement to people who want to be in gangs." I added.

"I don't look at it like that. Why do we have to see black people lead that type of lifestyle in movies? Why add that narrative?" Mary questioned.

Okay, maybe she genuinely does want to know but her delivery doesn't sit well with me and hasn't been since the first time she spoke. 

"Ladies, you wanna help me out in the kitchen?" Mrs. DeGrate said directing my attention away from Mary J, but Mary stood up. "I mean Eden, Edna, Tia, and Maria." Mrs. Degrate added and Mary J sat back down.

"Sure," I spoke up. "I don't mind."

"You just gon' leave me?" Donald wined jokingly.

I laughed in amusement. "Donald..." His expression changed and he laughed too.

We all walked away from the area and into the kitchen. "Can one of you get that out of the oven for me?" Mrs. DeGrate asked us.

"I got it. I just need to wash my hands first." I washed my hands, dried them, and got the food out of the oven.

"Somethin' is wrong with that girl, auntie," Edna spoke up. "She's not right up here." She pointed to her head. "I know I'm not tripping. Somebody, please tell me I'm not."

"Edna, if I didn't see it before, I saw it today." Mrs. DeGrate spoke up. "Tia, I apologize for inviting her over here. I thought she was a sweet girl but apparently, my judgment wasn't correct."

"Thank you for the apology." I nodded.

"Yeah, but Junior also needs an apology, mama. Imagine if your parents invited another man over that they knew they had a horrible past with and you were bringing uncle Don," Maria told her. "I know I'd feel some type of way of it was an ex of Derek's attacking me and claiming that she has a child by him."

"You all are right." Mrs. DeGrate nodded then turned to me. "Do you make movies degrading black people?"

"No, ma'am. Some do show drug usage, abuse, gang violence etcetera, but it doesn't glorify it. I show the good, bad, and ugly to everything that IS glorified in real life." I explained.

"I've seen her work and she's right. It's none of what that crazy girl out there tried to make it out to be." Maria told her.

"It isn't and I don't even know why you listened to anything she said, auntie," Eden told her.

"She's still claiming that Junior is the father of that white baby that ISN'T even albino his. I'm sure SOMEBODY caught onto that. That child still thinks Junior is his daddy. That girl out there is missing all of her screws." Edna told us.

"Of course, I took notice of it," I spoke up.

"I figured you had to," Edna told me.

"Auntie, you have to stop ignoring the bad in people and just see them for who they are. That girl out there is not right in the head. Church ain't fixed her wickedness." Eden told her.

"It can." Mrs. DeGrate replied. "All everybody needs is Jesus and they'll be fine." Mrs. DeGrate replied.

"Mama, that's not the case with everybody. Y'all, I'm not trying to come for Junior or anything but I'm using him as an example. Donald grew up in the church and he developed problems that lasted for a while and almost lead to his demise. People need more than the church." Maria told her.

I like the fact that his family is dealing with the problem instead of ignoring it as my family does. Ignoring it prolongs the problem. Donald and my therapist told me that. They're right. I can tell his family is close because there's confrontation but no arguing between the family. I'm pretty sure they have arguments but not as bad as my family.

"I won't invite her or anyone else that I know he has a history with over again, especially when Donald and you are around. It was wrong of me and I apologize." Mrs. DeGrate said to me and I nodded with a genuine smile. She's sweet. Mrs. DeGrate covered all of the foil tins.

"Thank you," I replied even though the girl is still out there.

"I've only been around you three times and two of them, I always end up apologizing for something." Mrs. DeGrate chuckled.

"At least you did acknowledge what you did and apologized. Many people just can't do it.

Now, help me bring this food outside." Mrs. DeGrate said grabbing one of the deep, squared, foil tins.

We all grabbed one and headed back outside. We sat it on the food table. Most of the guys are playing cards. What card game you may ask? Spades! You KNOW Donald isn't playing. I turned to Donald with a smirk and he rolled his eyes playfully. Mr. DeGrate, his uncle Eddie, Isaac, and Derek are all playing. I felt something on my foot and I jumped up and screamed.

"What the hell is wrong with her?" Donald's uncle Eddie yelled out.

I looked down for it only to be a- "She scared of balls uncle E!" Dalvin said laughing right along with the others.

"She thought it was a rat!" Donald cackled loudly. "It's just a ball, woman!" He shouted.

The kids ran up to me as I picked up the ball from the ground. "Y'all wanna play O.U.T Out?" I asked the kids.

"What's that?" One of Mary J's children asked me.

"A form of dodgeball, except you get three tries. On the fourth hit, you're out. All you have to do is keep up with the number of times you got hit and avoid the ball." I explained to them.

"Yes!" They said excitedly.

"Donald," I looked at him. "You playin'?"

"No." Donald shook his head.

"I'm playin'!" Dalvin stood up. "Come on, play! You ain't doing nothing else. You just sittin' there."

"Play." DJ ran up to Donald. "Please!"

"Alright, I'll do it because it's your birthday." Donald stood up and picked up DJ in the process.

I chuckled because this is what I wanted. I'm going to get him back for leaving me in that kitchen to be grilled ALONE. He's about to get his butt handed to him. I'm better at aiming now...

"I'll play." Eden stood up and Edna did too.

"Imma play too." Anthony stood up. "Teams?"

"Do we have teams?" Edna questioned.

"There could be. Dalvin's on my team." I replied.

"Dalvin?" Donald's head jerked back. "Well, what about me?"

"You can be on the other team," I smiled.

"The other team? Why I can't be on yo team?" Donald questioned.

"Why all the questions?" I smirked.

"Alright, but I feel like you onto somethin'." He said walking over to me. He knows me so well!🤣

"I'm on Dalvin's team," Edna told us.

"Me too!" Anthony spoke up.

"I guess I'll be on Junior's non-athletic behind team." Eden rolled her eyes.

"How come y'all all wanna be on teams with Dalvin? I'm good too!" Donald said to everybody.

"I'll play. I'm on Donald's team." Mary J stood up and I chuckled.

"Good," Edna smirked then looked to me.

"A'ight, y'all have fun. Imma go sit down." Donald put DJ down on his feet then walking back to his seat.

"Babe." I jogged over to him. "Think about this..."

"Please." DJ came up to Donald, grabbed his leg, and looked up to him.

I picked up DJ. "Tell him again Deej." I chuckled.

"Please?" Dj repeated.

"It's his birthday, Donald." I smiled. Donald sighed while looking at me. "Just look at that face. You can't say no to a face like that, can you?" DJ's eyebrows wrinkled.

"I'm back in." Donald chuckled.

"Alright!" One of the kids jumped up to pat his shoulder.

"You two lucky that-" Donald was cut off.

"Shut up so we can play!" Dalvin laughed.

There are only three balls and to solve that problem, it was first come, first serve. Meaning we lined the balls up in the middle, ran to them, grabbed them, and ran back to our sides. I didn't get a chance to grab any balls but I was dodging them when they were thrown back. I grabbed one of the balls that were aimed at me but missed me while ducking and dodging the flying balls.

The kids thought we were aiming at them, but we weren't, we just made them feel like they earned their win. Edna specifically focused on Mary J and got her out in a heartbeat. I'm positive that she was aiming at her face. Donald grabbed one of Derek's children and used them as a shield while moving around. The little boy thought it was funny but when Derek found out, he got mad.

"Put my son down!" Derek yelled at Donald and that gave me the chance to hit him in his big head. Well, Donald turned around and it hit him in the face instead.

"OOP- I'm sorry, Donald!" I said but hit him again this time not aiming nowhere near his head but I hit his arm.

"You got one last time to get hit. De on his last letter which is T because I got him once." Dalvin laughed evilly while shaking his shoulders, and wobbling his head, dancing. "Aye!" Dalvin screamed as a ball flew at him but Donald missed on account of him jumping.

I hit Donald once more but barely. It got the job done though when it hit his knee. "Ha!" I laughed, pointing at him as I got hit for the second time by Eden.

"Get her out. She the only grown one still on the team." Anthony whispered to me.

"That was my goal." I chuckled and dodged another hall thrown my way.

"Get her Eden! Let's go!" Donald said clapping on the sidelines like he was somebody's coach.

"That's why we standin' and most of yo team is down," Anthony yelled at Donald.

"We're counting on you, Eden!" Donald yelled at her and I guess that was a distraction because she got hit in her stomach.

"I'm out!" Eden exclaimed walking off and pushing Donald.

"Alright, Edna!" I shouted in excitement.

"Aye, it ain't my fault," Donald told her. "Don't blame me."

We let the kids hit us and get us out purposefully. We just know who won. By the time the game was over, there were so many more guests.

"I knew yo ass was up to somethin'," Donald mumbled to me.

I gave an innocent smirk. "Whatever do you mean?" I pretended to be oblivious.

"You gettin' me back for somethin'?" He questioned with a squint.

"Ye-haw, doggy, you right!" I replied.

Donald leaned over, laughing. "What the hell was that?"

"I dunno." I laughed. "You left me in that kitchen ALONE with your family to be interrogated."

"Better you than me." He smiled. "So we just gon' okay these games all day?" Donald said in a serious tone.

"It depends..." I put my arms behind my back and twisted from side to side.

"On what?" He questioned.

"It depends on if the person who started it wants to end it or not. You started it, do you want to call it a truce?" I questioned.

"Fuck no." Donald's head jerked back. "You hit me in my face with that ball. We gon' be like this the whole time we in Charlotte." He laughed.

"You sure about that?" I rose my eyebrows, folded my arms, and put all of my weight on one leg.

He tried to kiss me but I moved my head back. "What's yo problem? Ain't nobody payin' attention to us."

"I don't kiss or even get close to those out to get me," I smirked. "What fun would that be?" I batted my eyelashes.

"A'ight! Damn, truce!" He pulled me closer.

"Truce," I repeated and we shook on it.

"Oh, shut the fuck up!" Dalvin butted in.

"You shut the fuck up." Donald pulled away from me.

Derek came between them and rested an arm on each of them. "How 'bout y'all both shut the hell up? How do that sound?" Derek laughed.

"You shut the fuck up!" Dalvin and Donald said together and I laughed under my breath.

"No, but for real. It's good to be around my brothers again. I missed y'all." Derek told them.

I walked away so they could have their brotherly moment. I took a seat and enjoyed the little breeze. It has gotten significantly hotter out here than when we arrived. Dodgeball added onto it too. I'm good because at least it wasn't as hot as we played dodgeball. I discretely sniffed myself. I still smell good! The FOOD smells good too.

"Tia?" DJ said coming up to me.

I'm surprised he still remembers my name! He's so adorable! When he was in Atlanta earlier this year, he mostly referred to me as THAT GIRL or just girl. He's making me miss Masir and Asiri. "Yes?" I answered.

"Where's mommy?" He asked with his shoulders rose and his palms up.

"Uh..." I stood up and looked around and can't spot her anywhere. "Idunno, Deej."

"Food. I want fOOd." He told me. He put emphasis on the two O's.

"Your dad is there." I pointed.

"He don't hear," DJ replied.

"Let me make sure it's all right with your mommy and daddy first. Okay?" I told him.

"We find them." He told me.

"Right. We have to find them first." I nodded.

I'm surprised DJ still remembers my name! He's so adorable! When he was in Atlanta earlier this year, he mostly referred to me as THAT GIRL or just girl. He's making me miss Masir and Asiri.

I walked up to Mr. DeGrate but he's in a conversation with a few people. He halted the conversation once he noticed me. "This is Junior's girlfriend!" He introduced me to the people he was conversing with.

"Hello, I'm Tia, Donald Jr's girlfriend." I smiled and waved. They greeted me nicely.

"Did you need anything?" Mr. DeGrate asked me.

"Um, yes. DJ says he's hungry and he wanted me to fix him some food, is it okay if he eats now?" I asked.

"I'll do it." He told me then turned to the others. "Excuse me." Mr. DeGrate walked towards the table. "Why didn't you just come to me?" He asked DJ.

"I try!" DJ said in an exaggerated tone. "You, Dally, JuniUH, Dewick, and I don't find mommy."

"Oh..." Mr. DeGrate nodded dumbfoundedly. Well, I guess I can go back to my seat. I turned on my heels. "You saved me from an unwanted conversation." Mr. DeGrate said which halted me and I turned back around awkwardly.

I chuckle AWKWARDLY. "Oh." That is all that managed to say.

"I must ask, what do think my son see in you?" Mr. DeGrate turned to me.

"Excuse me?" I frowned.

"My apologies. I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I personally KNOW, BUT the question remains." He corrected himself with a chuckle.

I picked up DJ because wanted me to so he could see what food is on the table. "From what he has expressed to me-"

"No, I need your personal opinion, not what he told you." Mr. DeGrate said cutting me off. God, Donald is just like his father.

"Gee, I've never been asked this question before. I'm attractive. I can cook. He LOVES my cooking. I challenge him and don't accept anything. I'm sincere. When we aren't joking around and have real conversations, it gets deep and we both learned or solved something by the end of those conversations. I'm about my business. I'm not the type to be in everyone's face wanting to be the center of attention. I keep things honest with him." I replied.

"Do you love him?" Mr. DeGrate asked me.

"I love him."

"Now, what do you see in my son?"

"Everything." I exhaled, looking straight ahead with a smile.

"Like what?" He grabbed a plastic plate.

I looked down due to being patted on my leg by DJ, and I picked him up so he could see what food is on the table. "He listens and even when he doesn't agree with me, he respects my opinion. We just agree to disagree. He's SO sweet. He supports my career and understands my schedule. Whenever we both aren't too busy, he makes an effort to spend time with me. He's willing to adjust to my values. His arrogance but just the right amount. Donald doesn't sugarcoat anything. He stands up for me. He stays motivated and if I'm unmotivated, he motivates me.-"

"Alright, enough!" Mr. DeGrate chuckled. "I get it. Are you on drugs?"

I'm offended. "No. I think you've asked me that before. The truth is still no."

"I just want to make sure. I'm sure you know about his previous relationship? The young lady before you?" He questioned as DJ pointed to what he wanted on his plate.

"I'm aware." I nodded. "There are a bunch of people who do it in the industry, but I don't even hang around people who do it. I might've worked with them but not hang with them.  Also, a serial killer won't tell you that they're a serial killer." I chuckled.

He side-eyed me with a nervous chuckle. "Yeah..."

"Mr. DeGrate I am NOT on drugs," I emphasized my words with a chuckle. "I'm a secondhand learned which means that I don't have to experience things to know them. I saw too many people like that growing up and some in my family and it's heartbreaking to watch them turn into somebody else because of their addiction. I just think life brings us enough problems and drugs will just add more and I don't need or want either. I don't drink either." I told him.

"You have convinced me." He chuckled. "That's it?" He asked DJ.

"Yes." Dj nodded.

"Tia, I hope that my son has my don- No, I trust that he has made a great decision with you. You seem like you have it all together. I haven't been around you too much, but from what I'm shown, you seem like a good woman. He hasn't brought home too many people for us to meet. In fact, you're the second and that girl here today was the first." He told me.

"Oh." I nodded. I sat DJ down at the head of the table.

"Eat all of that food too. You hear me?" Mr. DeGrate told DJ.

"Mhm." DJ mumbled already digging in.

"Happy birthday!" Someone said coming up to DJ and I saw his little eyes roll.

This man does not want to be bothered, he wants food! I took a seat myself on the longer side of the table, near DJ. The person and Mr. DeGrate eventually started a conversation of their own and others came and joined in. This is nice and all. There was some arguing but it wasn't between the family members. This is the way I want my family to be. I know my immediate family probably won't get like this, but I mean when I have a family of my own. Donald came and plopped down in the seat next to me.

"What's up, baby?"

"Her no baby!" DJ cackled at Donald and we both jumped because he sound creepy.

(This video popped into my head🤣)

Donald and I looked at each other laughing. "Aye man, don't be scarin' us like that," Donald told his baby brother.

DJ folded his arms with a pout. "I not scary!" He yelled.

"I ain't say that and calm down!" Donald laughed.

"Right, don't be yellin' like that." Mr. DeGrate told him.

"I'm finna go make me some food. You hungry?" Donald asked me.

"I'm good but I am thirsty," I told him.

"Water, right?" He question.

"Yes." I smiled and I felt eyes on me other than Donald's, so I took a look around and saw that crazy chick.

"A'ight, I got you." Donald walked away and I saw her go in the same direction as Donald.

Alright, when most men say their exes are crazy, THE GUYS are usually the problem, but something is ACTUALLY wrong with her. What is it about him and his exes? What the hell does he have that makes them go crazy after they break up? This is ridiculous because she is the second one! I'm going to ask him too because I genuinely want to know.

"It's good?" I asked DJ.

"It gOOd!" He nodded. He's so adorable and looks so much like Dalvin.

After a while, Donald came back with two plates as always and drinks. He be eating a lot of food even though he doesn't look like it! All his weight just goes to his ears and head.

"Here you go." Donald handed me some water and pushed a plate my way.

"I didn't want anything but water." I laughed.

"Yeah? Well, I got this JUST in case you try to eat off my plate as always. You known for that." He laughed. "If you don't eat it, I will."

"Thanks." I cheesed.

"Mmhm, so what you and my pops talk about? I saw y'all earlier." Donald said now chewing on a rib tip.

"You and me. And how he was glad I pulled him from an unwanted conversation." I chuckled.

"That's me all the way." Donald laughed.

"I KNOW." I laughed. "I noticed y'all do got similar mannerisms."

"He raised me, so it ain't surprising." He shrugged.

"I must ask..."

"Ask away." Donald gestured.

"What is I'd about you that make your exes go crazy? I wanna take notes." I chuckled at that last part.

He looked up from his plate. "I- I just love hard. The saying that they ALWAYS come back is true, only I don't want them to. They did, but I'm not accepting them because A.) I got you and B.) I don't want them. That reason and a couple of reasons more is why they act like that. Only I'm a gentleman and I PERSONALLY feel like it's disrespectful to discuss with you." He placed his fingertips against his chest. "And it's something you have to experience personally." He chuckled. "Besides, that's not all I got to offer in a relationship like when I was younger. You feel me?" He asked before taking a bite of his spaghetti.

"I feel you." I nodded.

Translation: he got that thang on him! I chuckled because my girls told me about men who got that THANG on them making them go crazy. Courtney and her sister. They told me a couple of stories and I am appalled! Penis really be having us women go crazy even if the man attached to it ain't shit. I'm NOT saying that my man ain't shit because this man treats me very well.

I respect him for not bragging about another woman to me as some men would. He's right, most men brag about it. Although there is a way to tell a woman that it's the reason without being disrespectful and he avoided it all around.

"Then maybe I should run from you before IT does happen..." I trailed off in a whisper, giving him the side-eye. 👀

"Tia, stop playin' with me like that." Donald's eyebrows furrowed at my words, his lips curved into a smile, but his eyes held a serious stare.

"I'm only joking. I'm sorry. Chillax..." I lowered my hand slowly as a gesture for him to calm down. I won't joke like that again.

"You better be." He chuckled, pointing to me now looking fully amused.

I leaned my face on my hand. "Let's just put ourselves in a scenario where I wasn't joking. Then what?" I challenge.

His tone and voice got even lower as he leaned closer to me, in my ear, and spoke even more quietly. "Remember those exceptions we talked about?" Then he chuckled and the whole thing sent shivers down my spine and I know I'm probably flushed right now.

I inhaled then exhaled deeply and cleared my throat. "Wi- will that m-make me wanna stay? I'm not understanding..." I played dumb, making sure to keep whispering. We need nobody hearing this conversation.

"Whenever you wanna find out, just say when, baby." He told me then moved back to his side with a smirk. So he got that A.K AND that Uzi? I'm not talking about guns either. Okay! (I HOPE y'all got the reference.)

"Play too much." I laughed, showing all my teeth.

"There's truth in every joke, baby." He rose then dropped his eyebrows while licking his lips. "You all red with that lil one dimple showing." He busted out laughing.

I knew it! I'm over here smiling hard as heck with my mouth closed. Everyone was paying attention to us now that he's laughing like a hyena. He started choking on his food.

"See..." I said patting his back.

He grabbed my water with watery eyes due to his coughing and drunk some. "You-"

"Can't even talk." I chuckled.

He drunk even more water. "You still red." He said laughing this time with a clear throat.

Everybody we sat with earlier came and joined us. Well, the younger ones did and that includes Mary J.

"All done!" DJ announced with his whole sitting area now with food remnants on it.

He had food all over his hands and face because that's what toddlers do. He even managed to get food on his forehead. How kids do that is beyond me. I poured some water on a napkin and cleaned him up.

"So Nina, right?" Mary questioned but I don't know who the hell Nina is.

"Nina ain't here," Eden replied. "Who you talkin' about?"

"I'm sorry, Tia..." Mary batted her eyelashes at Eden then turned her head back to me with a twist of her neck. "Am I correct?" Mary smiled at me but I could tell it was disingenuine.

"You tell me." I raised an eyebrow. "Is that my name?"

"Up! Oh, it's about to be some s-" Dalvin sang out but he was tapped by Derek who nodded towards their father who I saw eyes shift in Dalvin's direction. "Thanks," Dalvin muttered to Derek.

"We never got to finish our conversation earlier," Mary told me.

"The conversation was over is why," Edna replied to Mary J.

Mary giggled lowly. "You said that film was a prevention movie? I don't look at it like that. Why do we have to see black people lead that type of lifestyle in movies? Why add that narrative?" Mary questioned. "Again, you're the reason for black men and children's demise. How will you change that to gain a more broad audience? To be more successful."

Oh, here she goes again! I thought we were OVER this, why is she still talking about this!? Leave me alone! I'm over here just minding my own damn business. Okay, okay, okay... Maybe she genuinely does want to know but her delivery doesn't sit well with me and hasn't been since the first time she spoke to me earlier.

"Maybe not around here because it's the suburbs, but where I'm from as well as many black people from low-income areas deal with this. Growing up most men looked up to pimps, drug dealers, and gang members for guidance. The women looked up to that AND sex trafficking. The rate of crime currently is at an all-time high."

I continued, "Don't blame me for trying to steer people away from that. Let's make this clear, if you want to blame somebody for what you've just accused me of, then blame the REAL ones who glorify and promote violence and drugs in their music, the people HEAD of the industry who publicize it, not ME. I'm a positive role model for many people and I'm told that often by said people." I placed my hand on my chest with a tiny chuckle.

"Well, I'm raising two black men and that movie is something I wouldn't even allow them to watch," Mary J told me.

"That's completely fine with me." I shrugged but what black children she's referring to? 

White and black don't equal to black. She's basically saying that her children aren't even part of her, who's white. It's like she's disregarding her blood within them. Second of all, there is only one child who even looks half black, the others are half white and another race.

"Your kid's ain't black. They're biracial and only one of them is half black. It ain't even the one you claim to be my cousin's child." Edna who's Eden's sister spoke up.

"I HAVE two black children LIKE I said." Mary J said as her facade and fake nice tone dropped and she got snippy with me.

I looked at Donald and he was already looking at me. I rose my eyebrow at him and he gave me an "I told you she was crazy," smirk. I nodded because he's right. Something definitely isn't right with this woman. You don't know somebody until you get close to them or have a conversation with them. Why does he attract the crazy ones? Okay, I'm not innocent either because of my diagnosis but I haven't had an episode in over a year.

"Somebody get this skank before I do!" Edna pointed to her.

"Why would I allow my kids to see stereotypes of themselves on television?" Mary directed the question to me, all while ignoring Edna.

I chuckled. "I'm stereotyped every day. I'm black AND a woman. That's doesn't mean that I am the stereotypes others paint me as. It's not the television's job or people in television to teach children who to look up to. It's the parent's job to tell their children what's wrong and what's right. It's the parent's job to tell the children what a positive role model is, not mines. So, you're attacking me for what?" I replied OH SO kindly.

If I wasn't around his family, maybe things would've gone differently. I may have had a more hostile tone. I chuckled but it's not out of amusement. I lowered my tone and leaned forward because not everyone needs to hear this last part. I lowered my voice to where only the ones at the table could hear, which is Donald's family

"Lastly, my bank account reads multi-BILLIONAIRE, honey. That ALONE tells you how successful I am with what I do. When you can do that, then MAYBE I can fit you into my schedule and talk. BUT until then, I'm through with this conversation." This girl ain't even worth my time. I scooched back in my chair, crossed my legs, and watched everyone else argue with this little girl. I'm down with this conversation.

"Attacking you? How? I'm just telling you my children aren't allowed to watch your movies. How is that an attack!?" Mary frowned and I smiled at her.

"You just did!" Edna shouted. "How this the day you speak to her but you getting upset and accusing people of things?"

"Right. All this for what? You said you don't want me and it's CLEAR that I don't want you. We ALL know that ain't my kid. Why you keep comin' at my woman the way you doin'? She don't know you from a can of paint, yet you over here tryna argue with her. For what?" Donald questioned.

"IF YOU LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR KID WHO IS JUST AS MUCH YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES THEN THIS WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM!" Mary J yelled out causing even more people to pay attention to us. 

"Don, you hearin' this!?" Uncle Eddie asked Donald's father.

"Go play." Mr. DeGrate patted Dj on his shoulder and he ran off to do just that.

Mrs. DeGrate is now near too. This little girl ain't even worth my time though. I scooched back in my chair, crossed my legs, and watched everyone else argue with this little girl.

"Edna, I don't even know why you're going back and forth with her!" Eden told her sister.

"I am a God-fearing woman. What are you? Ain't you guys supposed to be part of a family part of a church? But I'm being attacked by y'all?" Mary J said in her old southern accent. You know? How the white women in racist movies speak, that's how she sounds.

"Don, you hearin' this!?" Uncle Eddie asked Donald's father with his hand out.

"I'm tired of her mouth. Ma and pop, we leavin'. I'll get DJ gifts out the car and bring them back here but we leavin'," Donald stood up and grabbed my hand.

"No, you stay." Mr. DeGrate spoke up for the first time in a while.

"We ain't staying if she still here. She goes or we do, pops." Donald told his father in a respectful tone.

"She goes." Mr. DeGrate nodded at Mary.

"But the kids can stay." Mrs. DeGrate added.

"No, Mary. Do you hear how she's talkin'? She might accuse us of doing something to them and I'm not going to ruin my reputation for anybody. I'm running a church and leading people." Mr. DeGrate replied. "I don't need this, but a DNA test will be done." 

"What?" Mary J said in disbelief. "We don't need a DNA test because I know it's Donald's child. Mr. and Mrs. DeGrate, I'm sorry for my behavior. It was just-"

"I understand." Mr. DeGrate forced a smile and nodded. "Family over everything but God. I hope to see you at services next Sunday."

Mary J stood up, collected all four of her kids, and left. WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT? IT'S PEACEFUL AGAIN!

"Thank GOD!" Donald plopped back down in his seat next to me. "About that DNA test... How will she do that? Because I'm not doing it.  EVERYBODY can tell that ain't my child just from looking at him."

"If you know it ain't yours, then why don't you just do it? It'll give her the clarification she apparently needs and it won't be no gossip at the church." Mr. DeGrate told Donald.

"Pops, I'm sorry, but I'm not doing it. All these church people here gon' be talkin' about this regardless. I don't even wanna be near that girl. Every time it's something with her. She's crazy and even if I do go through with it, she'll find a way to still pin it on me and so. That's what crazy people do." Donald explained to his father. "Y'all don't know her like I do or did. She hasn't changed."

"I never knew she was like that, to begin with. I thought she was a sweet girl you were with and things just didn't work out. Why didn't you tell us?" Mrs. DeGrate questioned.

"Because I thought she would never come up or see her again. I NEVER thought y'all would invite one of our exes over here. I had no idea that my parents still hung around her." Donald explained to her.

"I'm sorry for that. I didn't know that girl was like that. I just invited her over because she has kids around Djustin's age." Mr. DeGrate explained.

"She should've been gone and this shit wouldn't have happened. Them church people already look at me different now they gon' believe that's my kid." Donald mumbled low enough to where I could only hear.

"I think you should just take it to shut her mouth," I suggested.

"Are you serious, right now?" Donald whispered to me.

"Babe, I'm not taking sides or anything. We all know it ain't your kid but just for peace and clarity for those who think otherwise." I explained to him.

"I don't give a damn what they think. I'm already looked at differently anyways." He told me. "Fuck what them people think."

"Think about your career." I reminded him.

"I'm not in the public eye too much these days." He responded briefly.

"Think about OUR careers. Our names are now attached to each other. You see all these people here? This will get out for sure. Church people or not and we both have brands to uphold. You said it yourself that some were hesitant to work under your label due to what happened last time. We both worked too damn hard for some junk like this to destroy what we built." I whispered back. "She knew what the hell she was doin' by sceamin' that junk out loud. She wanted a reaction from everyone and she got one. They don't even know what child of hers that she was referring to." I whispered back.

Donald turned his head to see a bunch of disapproving stares from the church folk. "A'ight." He nodded and leaned his cheek on his palm. "You right. Imma take that DNA test." He said in his normal tone. Loud enough for other to hear.

"Let's all sing happy birthday." Mrs. DeGrate said changing the subject.

"Yeah." Mr. DeGrate nodded then called DJ back over.

So much for playtime for DJ! The rest of the day went smooth and peaceful. Fun was all EVERYBODY had since that girl left here. DJ was a little upset that some of his friends left but he got over it while opening his presents. Mary J's kids? I feel sorry for them because of the way she's speaking, they're definitely going to have identity issues if someone with sense doesn't step in or if hers doesn't kick in.

Author's Note: Y'all be wanting sis to fight so bad! 🤣🤣 Tia handled that with ease as she should've. You just can't go fighting people. Sometimes words work just fine and if they don't so be it.

Word Count: 6,800
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Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read another chapter of this story. Thank you for staying despite the slacking.💚🖤❤💜💙💛