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

you’re asking for trouble; right or wrong, you give people reason to justify shooting.”
    â€œIt’s so much deeper than that, Kay. I don’t know if you could even understand. I would think with the number of young men you see coming through your courtroom, you’d be a little more sympathetic.”
    â€œNo, I’m actually able to look at it from the other side because I’ve seen several young men who have been given chance after chance. Men who tried to use the ‘system wronged me’ excuse and then they got right back out there and did the same thing.”
    â€œWell, there’s a number of reasons; lack of jobs, for one.”
    â€œOkay, we’re not gonna start with the ‘I got an excuse ’cause the white man keeping me down.’ It’s time we stop waiting for other people to lift us up and try to lift ourselves up,” Kay replied.
    â€œThis conversation is soooo boring,” Leslie chimed in. “Can we talk about something else?”
    Phillip and Kay looked at each other and smiled. Their daughter was right. Their passionate debates were one thing they loved about each other, but this was family time.
    â€œWhat would you like to talk about, Sweet Pea?” Phillip asked.
    â€œJustin Bieber,” she answered, her eyes wide with excitement.
    â€œReally?” Phillip raised an eyebrow at his wife. “Why is our four-year-old into Justin Bieber?”
    â€œJust be glad it’s not Chris Brown or someone like that.”
    â€œI don’t want my four-year-old into anything but Teletubbies, ” Phillip said.
    â€œWhat’s a Teletubby?” Leslie asked.
    Phillip and Kay laughed. They really were out of touch. That had been Ryan’s favorite cartoon when he was a little boy. It was at that point when Kay noticed Ryan hadn’t said a word as he sat picking over his food.
    â€œAre you sure you’re okay, Ryan?” Kay asked.
    â€œYeah,” he replied.
    â€œYou don’t look okay,” Phillip said. “Son, how’s school going?”
    â€œIt’s all right.”
    â€œWell, did you make the lacrosse team?”
    â€œNah,” he said. “I didn’t try out. I was thinking it would take away too much time from my schoolwork.”
    As much as she loved her stepson and how studious he was, Kayreally did wish he would learn to relax and have some fun. Maybe she’d look into taking him and Charlie to an upcoming concert or something. She needed to show Ryan how to enjoy his childhood and just have fun.
    â€œSo, is it your night to do the dishes? Or is it mine?” Kay said, as she stood and started clearing the table.
    A mischievous grin spread across Phillip’s face. “How about we do them together and then go find some way to entertain ourselves later?”
    â€œUgh,” Ryan said. “Can you two not?”
    Kay giggled.
    â€œHow are you going to entertain yourselves?” Leslie asked. “Can I come, too?”
    â€œNo, sweetie. That’s Mommy and Daddy time,” Kay replied.
    â€œOn that note,” Ryan said, standing up, “I’m out.” He pushed away from the table and walked off.
    Phillip lost his smile. “You know,” he said to Kay, “I’m a little worried about him.”
    â€œOh, you know your son. It’s probably nothing,” Kay said, dismissing his concern. “When it comes to Ryan Christiansen, you don’t have anything at all to worry about.”
    That was one thing Kay was willing to put money on.

11
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    G loria didn’t know if she was making the right choice, and she prayed that Jamal didn’t hate her for it, but she didn’t know what else to do. She didn’t want to keep the lies going with her husband and at this point they needed him to do what God had called him to do—lead their household.
    She’d made the decision to tell Elton about Jamal after she saw the news