Hell House by Brenda Hampton Page B

Next.”
    â€œI pray the food is good and that Desa Rae will forgive me for bein’ in this house with attractive women. Prince.”
    Jada squeezed my hand and giggled.
    â€œUh, you died on the cross to save my sins. I sin a lot,” Prince said. “Thanks. Next.”
    â€œLord, please bless all the salt that Jada shook over our food,” Jaylin said. “Remove it from our bodies, so that we all may live long and healthier lives. Burn the garlic bread in the oven because all of that cheese she used is filled with a bunch of fat and calories. Watch over my children, my Nanny B, my money and keep everything safe while I’m away. Amen.”
    We all repeated “Amen.”
    â€œNow, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Sylvia said as we opened our eyes and sat down at the table. Jaylin returned to his spot on the couch.
    â€œHe really works me,” Jada griped on her way over to the oven. She opened it, and to her surprise the bread was burned.
    â€œSee,” Jaylin added with a smile. “When you really need something, all you have to do is pray on it. You need to be banned from the kitchen, woman. Shame on you for serving that shit.”
    â€œOh my God!” Jada shouted. “Really, Jaylin? I can’t wait to seewhat you cook, and just so you know, black folks don’t eat cavalier every day like you do.”
    Chase sucked in a deep breath, then blew it out. “Caviar, sweetie, not cavalier. A cavalier is a vehicle. Besides, I don’t know of anyone who wants to eat that every day.”
    â€œCorrection,” Jaylin said. “A cavalier is a horseman, soldier, gentleman or knight. The car is only a representation of the real definition.”
    â€œAll these damn highly educated people are workin’ the shit out of me,” Jada said. “Cavalier, caviar, cocacabana…whatever. Jaylin knows what I meant, and, Chase, I’m not your sweetie. Stop sayin’ that mess to me, and if you don’t appreciate how I pronounce my words, too bad. I don’t appreciate that tiny mole on your neck that looks like a booger, but you don’t hear me sayin’ nothin’ about it, do you?”
    I felt what Jada was saying, and I was waiting on a motherfucker to correct me on some shit. But while Chase and Jada went back and forth arguing, we grabbed our plates and started to chow down on the food. The spaghetti was dope. I had to give credit where it was due. The woman could cook her ass off. She was proud when we complimented her and boasted about it.
    â€œI can cook that spaghetti with my eyes closed. I can’t wait to cook y’all some more stuff, and cookin’ is my specialty.”
    â€œThis is very delicious,” Sylvia said as she sucked in a spaghetti noodle. “I like how well you seasoned the meat. The flavors fill the inside of my mouth.”
    Prince laughed. “Damn, that didn’t come out right and my mind shifted in another direction. This is the business, though, Jada. I haven’t had a meal like this since my mom cooked it for me. You done scored some points with me.”
    â€œGlad y’all like it.” Jada blushed and then looked across theroom and yelled at Jaylin. “You don’t know what you missin’. I know your stomach is mad as hell at you, so why not give it somethin’?”
    He ignored Jada, but tightened his fist as New England fumbled the football. Jada picked up her plate from the table and went to go fuck with him. She stood right in front of him, blocking his view from the TV.
    â€œDid you hear what I said?” she asked.
    He tried to move her aside, but she didn’t budge. He frowned and looked up at her. “Baby, come on now. I’m trying to watch the game.”
    â€œI will move out of your way, if you taste my spaghetti. If not, I’m stayin’ right here.”
    Jaylin tried to look around her, but when she moved again, he couldn’t see the