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that serious.” But I’m not that naïve. I can feel Rah’s heat all the way in here. I’d better get out there before the shit really hits the fan. What’s Rah even doing here before he picks Rahima up? Out of all of the days for him to pop up, it had to be the one day Jeremy comes by. What the hell?
    â€œJayd, there are no coincidences in life,” she says as if she just read my thoughts while carefully eyeing my dress. I think I should change before going out with Jeremy. I’d change now if it were the right thing to do. “Please be careful. You don’t know what a tangled web you’re weaving with these boys.”
    â€œMama, I’ve got this,” I say, smiling at her before exiting the kitchen to face my present mess. Rah really can’t say much because had he come through like we originally planned none of this would be happening. But no, as usual I’m left in the background to wait and see what he’ll do next. Unfortunately for him, I have options other than to wait for his next move.
    â€œI made my books, fool,” Bryan yells at everyone else around the table. My uncles are always competitive no matter what game they’re playing. Bryan’s new girlfriend’s perched up against his chair, rubbing his braids gently. I guess she’s pleased with my work.
    â€œWhat’s up, Jayd?” Rah says from where he’s standing in the driveway. Jeremy looks up from his hand and smiles at me. I don’t know if it’s because he’s got more tricks up his sleeve or because he thinks he’s already won this round. I’ll figure him out later. Right now I need to calm an angry Rah down before this holiday turns into a tragedy.
    â€œWhat’s up, Rah?” I pass up my uncles and others on the porch and in the driveway, making my way over to Rah, who walks off to stand on the front lawn. My mom eyes me from her seat at the table in the driveway, next to Karl, who’s chewing it up with my Uncle Junior. “I thought you were on your way to get Rahima.”
    â€œI see that,” he says, shifting his focus back to the porch before staring me down. “I came by because I felt bad about bailing on you, but I see you’re already over it.”
    â€œThat’s not fair,” I say, grabbing his hand to try to make him understand where I’m coming from. “You can’t get mad at me because you ditched me and I made other plans.”
    â€œI can when it’s your ex. Next thing I know you’ll be braiding that fool’s hair.”
    â€œYou can’t be serious,” I say, trying not to raise my voice. Luckily Bryan’s stereo is drowning out any conversation within ten feet of it. “Wasn’t it less than an hour ago that you ditched me for one of your exes?”
    â€œThat’s different, Jayd. Sandy’s got my baby.”
    â€œAnd where does that leave me?” I didn’t expect that to slip out, and from the look in Rah’s angry eyes, neither did he. My mom and Mama are staring us down, trying to defuse the situation by flooding my head with thoughts. But my head’s too hot to listen to reason. Rah’s got some nerve starting shit when it’s all his fault.
    â€œ I warned you, girl. Men don’t see reason when they think they’re losing you. Jealousy’s something else. ” I know my mom’s right, but what do I do now?
    â€œDinner’s ready.” As if hearing my request, Mama comes to the rescue.
    â€œThis isn’t over, Jayd. I’ll catch you tomorrow, unless you already have plans I should know about.”
    â€œGo get Rahima and cool off. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I say, watching the rest of the family and guests file into the crowded house, Jeremy included. If my vision of Maman wasn’t warning enough, I don’t know what else could convince me to tread lightly in between my two worlds. Maman went