Free In Times of Trouble by Yolonda Tonette Sanders Page A

own.”
    â€œUmhmm. . .Lately, Chanelle has been doing some things I don’t approve of.”
    â€œIf you’re referring to the party, I’m so sorry she got caught up with that. I hope she didn’t get in too much trouble. I’d told Kyle he could have a few friends over. He grew up in this neighborhood, so it’s going to be hard for him leaving his friends and all. I didn’t think things would get out of control like they did.”
    â€œSince when does allowing your teenage son to have a party where there will be alcohol be considered keeping things under control? What parent would do such a thing?”
    â€œI didn’t allow Kyle to have alcohol,” she said defensively. “Like I said, I told him he could have a few friends over. I had no idea things would go as far as they did and I’m very sorry Chanelle was here.”
    Stacie’s sincerity didn’t dissuade Lisa’s anger. “And were you the one supervising this party?”
    â€œThere was no one supervising the party because there wasn’t supposed to be a party. I was at work. I work third shift.”
    â€œSo you were going to allow your teenage son to be alone with my teenage daughter while you were at work?”
    â€œNormally, I don’t work weekends, but since we’re getting ready to move, every penny counts. Kyle is usually very responsible. I leave him here all the time with the kids. This is the first and only time he’s disappointed me.”
    Lisa was unable to prevent curiosity from getting the best of her. “All of what kids? How many children do you have?”
    â€œFive; four boys and a girl. Kyle’s my oldest.”
    â€œYou mean two girls?” Lisa was willing to bet there were at least four different baby daddies in the mix. Olivia was so right! This chick was beyond ghetto and definitely not the kind of person she wanted her daughter socializing with.
    â€œNo, I said what I meant. I know how many children I have.”
    â€œWhat about the baby?”
    â€œWho, Nia? That’s my granddaughter.”
    Lisa was sure her expression gave away her shock. “Chanelle has never told me much about Kyle, and now I understand why. I strongly disapprove of her dating anyone with children. My daughter has a lot going for her and I don’t want her taking on adult responsibilities that she’s not able to handle.”
    â€œI understand your concern, but Kyle doesn’t have any kids. Nia is Jameela’s daughter.”
    Lisa fought hard to keep her jaw from dropping to the floor. “You mean that little girl who came down the stairs?”
    â€œForgive me if I seem rude, but what does my daughter’s child have to do with the party last weekend?”
    Just then the front door opened. “Hey, what’s u—” A young, slender, bi-racial boy came in dribbling a basketball. His sentence was left dangling once he looked at Lisa.
    â€œKyle, where have you been? You got out of school an hour ago and I told you to come straight home.”
    Lisa eyed him up and down. His pants rested well below his hips and she could clearly see that he was wearing white boxer shorts. His cornrows peeked from underneath his doo-rag. What in the world did Chanelle see in him?
    â€œMy bad. . .I stopped over Stick’s for a minute to shoot some hoops.”
    Stacie sucked her teeth. “Do you know Lisa, Chanelle’s mother?”
    â€œUm. . .hi!” He avoided any real eye contact.
    â€œHello,” Lisa forced herself to say.
    â€œUh. . .Stacie, I forgot my bag at Stick’s. I’ll be back in a few.”
    â€œOkay, but don’t stay gone too long. We need your help around here.”
    â€œAhiight.” He scooted out the door just as fast as he’d come in.
    â€œDo all of your kids call you by your first name?” Lisa asked in disbelief.
    â€œYeah, why ? ”
    â€œLet me get to