Read Online Mama's Boy by Reshonda Tate Billingsley - Free Book Online Page A

Kay used to watch those people on Leave It to Beaver and other popular TV shows where they all sat down as a family, and feel a longing inside. As an only child, she was often left alone to eat by herself. Her father was always too busy at church and after her six-year-old brother drowned, Kay’s mother was always in a state of depression in her room. So everyone ate their food in solitude.
    That’s why Kay told Phillip from the beginning that despite their hectic schedules, she wanted to make sure that they sat down together and ate as a family at least once a week. It was a tradition that Phillip had gladly upheld, especially because most of the time Selena prepared an awesome meal and all they had to do was sit down and enjoy it.
    â€œSo, Mommy, can I go to the fair on Saturday?” Leslie asked. “Pretty please with a strawberry on top?”
    â€œI told you I would think about it. We’ll see if Daddy can getoff and make it a family thing,” Kay said, blowing a kiss at her husband.
    â€œYay,” Leslie said, clapping her hands.
    â€œRyan, are you okay?” Kay asked. He had been picking over his food. He was probably bummed out because he got a B on a test or something. Bad grades usually sent him into a state of depression.
    â€œI’m cool,” he mumbled.
    Kay turned to her husband and smiled. “He’s cool.”
    Phillip shook his head. “One day we’ll get an extensive conversation out of our son.”
    â€œHe talks to Charlie,” Kay joked. Charlie was Ryan’s best friend. And since Charlie’s mother, Camille, was her best friend, Kay was happy that the two boys were so close.
    â€œBut we’re not cool like Charlie.” Phillip laughed.
    Ryan rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
    â€œOh yeah, babe, congratulations to you,” Phillip told his wife. “I saw the case with Dwayne Murphy. I knew they’d give him life.”
    â€œWhat? You approve of a life sentence?” Kay joked.
    â€œHey, I have no problem with locking up criminals who commit heinous crimes. It’s the young boys I have an issue with.”
    They did discuss cases after they were over so Kay didn’t mind telling her husband about this one. “It is really sad. Dwayne has four sons, two of whom have already been in jail. So the cycle will just continue.”
    â€œYeah,” Phillip replied, his mood turning melancholy, “that’s why I do what I do. Hoping to stop the cycle. I just wish there was some kind of way we could give these boys better opportunities.”
    â€œI do, too,” Kay said, “but some people you just can’t help. They don’t want to be helped. Now the case you just wrapped up,” shecontinued, “that boy, he deserved a second chance. So, I’m glad you got him off.”
    Phillip had also emerged victorious in a case against an honor roll student who was shot after police mistook his black marker for a gun.
    â€œJust curious, why do you think he deserves a second chance?” Phillip asked.
    â€œBecause that cop was trigger happy, with a history of complaints, and that boy just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
    Phillip let out a deep sigh. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you, there are a lot of boys in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
    â€œThere is a difference. Take Trayvon Martin,” Kay countered. “He didn’t deserve what he got at all. He was minding his business. Michael Brown, on the other hand, he took some cigars.”
    Phillip looked at her, stunned. “ Alleged to have taken some cigars, which the police officer reportedly didn’t know at the time. Regardless, you think that was worth him dying over?”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” Kay said. “Make no mistake about that, but what we have to get these young boys to understand is that when you place yourself in these precarious positions, then