Free Crazy In Love With A Thug: Bari and Seven by LaDonna Robinson Page A

Mama. And sorry, Bari. You do what you think is best for you," he said.
    "I will, Uncle Meestake. But I do hope you'll come see me for the two weeks that I know we'll be here. If I decide to stay, then I can see you all the time."
    He looked confused.
    "Who is we?" he asked.
    "Uncle Meestake, this is Seven. Seven, Uncle Meestake."
    "Who the hell is this?" Uncle Meestake asked. "He look like he a grown ass man." I was so embarrassed. "You know Bari only sixteen?" Seven nodded. "Well, what the hell are you doing, man?”
    "Damn you, Meestake, and that's just what the hell you are! Ain't nobody got to be answering to you!" Big Mama raved. "And Seven, don't you answer a damn thing this fool got to say! He ain't no detective! Didn't even finish school!"
    "This is just my friend, Uncle Meestake," I tried to explain.
    "This is my damn house!" Big Mama yelled. "And if Bari wanna bring her man here to stay for two weeks, then damn it, she can! He a damn stranger, and he showing more concern for PawPaw than any of you damn heathens! I ought'a put all your asses out my house! Rude son-of-abit…”
    "Big Mama!" I interrupted. "Please, it's okay." I don't know why she threatened to put everybody else out. They hadn't even said anything. "Just calm down."
    "Seven is my damn guest in my damn house," she mumbled.
    "I know, Big Mama." I said. "And you can have in your house whoever you want to have, and it ain't nobody's business."
    I looked around at everyone for them to catch on. I had to calm her down. Niecy caught my eye. I winked at her.
    "Yeah, Big Mama. Somebody always got something to say about somebody else's business," Niecy chimed in.
    Uncle Meestake glared at her. She winked at him.
    "Yeah, they do," Big Mama agreed.
    "I'm sorry, Mama," Uncle Meestake said. "And it's very nice to meet you, Seven."
    Big Mama smiled in my direction.
    "I've heard a lot about you," Seven said. "I feel like I've known you a long time."
    Uncle Meestake was all teeth as he smiled at me.
    "So Seven, how old are you?" Niecy asked.
    "I'm twenty-two."
    "Oh, and how long have you and Bari been, um ...friends?"
    "Now, here the fuck you go," Big Mama said. I was starting to think that maybe Big Mama had taken a couple of sips of the beer that Paw-Paw kept in the refrigerator. "If one of you mutha fuckas ask this boy one more question I'ma throw these hot greens on yo' ass. Try me."
    "Big Mama, do you want to lay down for a while?” I asked.
    She looked at me lovingly.
    "I am a little tired, Bari. You're the only one in this Adam's Family that act like they got some damn sense. I can't stand the rest of y’all asses. Oh, and you, too, Seven. I really like you. You's a good man."
    "Big Mama," I began, as I led her by the elbow to her room. "Did the doctor give you something for your nerves?"
    "Yeah, baby, some Valium. And I had a couple of beers to toast to your Paw-Paw passing. That's all. Big Mama just tired. You gon' watch my house? I don't want these bastards tearing up my house."
    ''I'll watch the house, Big Mama, just get some rest," I said. "I'll clean up everything for you."
    "You're such a good girl, Bari. I really wish you would think about ..." she was snoring before she finished the sentence; drunk and high.
    Big Mama probably had tolerance so low she could get high off a Tylenol. I smiled at my joke as I pulled the comforter up around her neck.

 
    Chapter 17
    "Your uncle is pretty cool. I like him," Seven said, coming out onto the big porch where I sat curled up in Paw-Paw's favorite chair.
    "Sorry he gave you such a hard time. Everybody is just really on edge."
    "I'd be the same way if my father was being buried tomorrow. That's got to be hard."
    "What are you doing out here anyway?" I asked. "Are they driving you crazy in there?"
    "No. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And besides, your sister is like on my dick big time." I looked at him. "S'cuse me," he said quickly. "I mean, on my ...my ...should I say penis?” He whispered. "That's