Chapter Three Excerpt

No sooner than Marcus had turned the showerhead on and stepped inside, the bedroom door flung open and four little Claytons poured inside. Renee had just pulled her shirt down over her bare bottom. Now seated on the bed, she reached for Malauna who had obviously been crying.

“What’s wrong with the baby, Josh?” Renee asked, placing Marcus’ daughter on her lap.

“Austin’s being mean to her and Lele. He bit Launi and he took Lele’s cupcake.”

“Did not,” Austin yelled.

“Did, too,” Joshua yelled back as he shoved his brother. “You’re a bully.”

“Bully,” Maleah shouted her agreement.

“Okay, okay. Austin, why did you bite your sister?” Renee asked as she dried Malauna’s tears and kissed her fat cheeks. She loved kissing the baby’s face. Malauna had dimples, just like her father and sister, but her eyes were grey like her grandmother’s, instead of hazel like Maleah’s and Marcus’.

“Mean brother bit that baby.” Renee held the toddler tight and rocked her. “Bite him back, Lele. Bite him for Launi.”

With that, Maleah bit Austin squarely on the cheek. She didn’t press hard, but she got her point across. A shocked look spread across Austin’s face as he tried to push his sister away. Joshua caught his hands. When the deed was done, Austin’s right cheek was covered with tears and slobber.

“Go wash your face,” Renee instructed. “But first, kiss your sister and tell her you’re sorry.”

Austin complied.

“Never fight your sisters, little boy. Hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Austin mumbled as he went to his bathroom and washed his face. Joshua followed behind him, taunting him in Spanish.

“I want another cupcake, please, Mommy.”

“No more cupcakes, juice bars. I’ll get you one when I come downstairs, okay?”

“Okay.”

Kissing Malauna once more, Renee stood her beside Maleah and placed their hands together. “Take sissy downstairs and watch cartoons. Tell Josh to fix the channel.”

“Thank you, Mommy. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Lele. Love you, Launi.”

“My, my, my, quite the referee.” Marcus beamed from the doorway of the master bath.

“Put some clothes on,” Renee said as she shut the bedroom door and walked toward the bathroom. “And get the kids some juice bars.”