Hell House by Brenda Hampton

win. You may as well pack it up and head back to your mama while you got a chance.”
    Roc left the bathroom, leaving my heart aching as I thought about mama. Why did she have to leave me like that? It was because of her that I’d had so many setbacks in my life, but I still loved her. I wanted the best for her, but I got tired of injecting myself into fights with her men. One day, somebody was going to get killed. All I could do was hope that when that day came, it wouldn’t be me.

Jeff took our cell phones, jetted, and, now, Hell House was in full swing. Chase was in the bedroom hanging up her clothes, Sylvia was on the computer, and per the schedule it was Jada’s turn to cook. She was in the kitchen whipping up a late dinner for us. She bitched about being the first one on the schedule, but in this crib, we didn’t have many choices. If you didn’t play by the rules you were ass out.
    Jaylin, Prince and I were still in the living room watching football games, but none of us had said much to each other. I figured Jaylin was still swoll about the incident with Chase all over me, but I didn’t give a damn about that freak. I wasn’t the type of brotha to beef with no nigga over a broad like her, especially if her name wasn’t Desa Rae. I was already missing my baby, even though she had some funny-ass ways. Maybe it was the difference in our ages, but after years together that shouldn’t even matter anymore. I wasn’t going to sweat it because whatever happened in this house, stayed in this house. None of this was coming home with me—I’d make sure of that.
    Jaylin had gotten up to go into the kitchen to see what Jada was up to. He was watching her cook our food like a hawk, and on a for real tip, I didn’t blame him. I laughed when I heard him complaining about how much salt she was shaking into the boilingwater. They had started to get into this playful mode with each other and it was kind of interesting. Either he was joking with her or he was attracted to her. I was sure to ask him later.
    â€œAm I doin’ this or you?” Jada snapped. “Instead of worryin’ yourself about how much salt I’m puttin’ into the food, you need to go on back over there and watch the game.”
    â€œI’ll watch the game, after I get done watching you. Cool out on the fucking salt before that shit kills us.”
    â€œLook, fool. As tight as your body is, all you gotta do is add another ten or fifteen more minutes to your workout. A little extra salt ain’t gon’ kill you.”
    â€œYou’re a bigger idiot than I thought, especially if you believe that adding all that salt to food will not kill you. I’m gon’ keep my mouth shut, but when that ass laid up in a casket somewhere, don’t be wishing you had listened to me.”
    Jada sighed and pursed her lips. She shook even more salt into the boiling water. “If I’m gon’ be laid up in a casket over salt, you will be, too. You don’t have to eat my food, Jaylin, and you’re welcome to have an apple, orange or a Little Debbie snack cake for dinner.”
    Jaylin got up from the stool and went to the fridge to get an apple. He bit into it and then he smacked Jada hard on her ass. She jumped back and playfully poked him with her fork. “Don’t play,” she said with a grin on her face. “Touch my butt again and I’mma have to cut you.”
    â€œSure,” Jaylin said, coming back into the living room and sitting down. “Cut me good, baby, but please cut the salt before you do anything.”
    Jada threw her hand back at him and continued to work on dinner. The aroma in the kitchen was lit up like an Italian restaurant. She chose to make spaghetti. I was hungry, especially aftersmoking weed. I had to find something to grub on, and when I got up, I walked by Jaylin.
    â€œAy,” I said, getting his attention. I nodded my head toward