Careful of the Company You Keep Read Online Free Page A

And it’s probably for the best.”
    â€œThe best for who? Definitely not me.” I rose and moved into the kitchen to start cleaning up. As soon as Alvin finished talking to his daughter, I was putting everybody out of my house and going to find Ron and make everything right.
    â€œDanielle, you need to go upstairs with Alvin and talk to your daughter.”
    I pursed my lips and tried my best to keep my temper. Mama hadn’t even been here an hour and already gotten on my last nerve. “Mama, I really would appreciate it if you would stay out of this. This is between me and Portia.”
    â€œThen why did you call me over here? Huh? That’s what I want to know.” She planted her hands at her hips and started tapping her foot.
    I groaned inwardly. “Because I know I would have killed her if you weren’t here.”
    She kept trying to reason with me, but I wasn’t having it. I wanted them all out of my house so I could leave.
    Mama shook her head. I know she didn’t agree with the way I raised my child. Too bad. I never wanted my daughter to turn out like me and my siblings. A bunch of spoiled brats. We grew up in a middle-class family, and Kendall, Constance, and I got everything we wanted with a pout and a few tears. Portia acted the exact same way, which was why she had my parents wrapped around her little finger. As a little girl, I had thought the behavior cute, but over the years I learned that my child was a manipulator, and I’ve done everything in my power to nip that shit in the bud.
    â€œSince you’re not listening, I guess I’ll go upstairs with Alvin.”
    â€œMama!” I cried, halting her from moving upstairs and making the whole matter even worse than it already was. As soon as she saw those tears, she’d start taking up for Portia’s lying ass, and I wasn’t having it. “Go home.”
    â€œWhat?” she cried, shocked.
    â€œI said, go home. Let me and Alvin handle this.”
    She released a heavy sigh. “Fine. I got sense enough to know when I’m not wanted.”
    I watched her leave, then took a seat and waited for Alvin to come down the stairs. It was another thirty minutes before he came with his hands tucked in his dark dress slacks. Part of his uppity attire. He was too good to simply wear jeans. When we were together that’s all he owned. Portia followed, came halfway down the stairs, and took a seat.
    â€œWell?” I asked impatiently. “So how are we going to handle this situation?”
    Alvin started popping his knuckles. He knows I hate when he does that. “I need a moment to get my temper in control, because after what my daughter just told me, I’m ready to go to jail.”
    â€œJail?” I barked as I glanced over at the smirk that she quickly shut down. “I told you before you went up the stairs that girl is lying.”
    â€œAnd you heard what she said. She isn’t lying.”
    Portia dropped her head.
    â€œShe’s lying. That’s all your daughter knows how to do is lie.”
    Alvin was so angry, he was shooting venom. “Face it. Your man messed with my daughter and I’m going to have his thug ass arrested.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Portia, honey, go get your things. You’re going home with me.”
    Obediently, she moved up the stairs.
    Uh-uh, no, he didn’t just come in and make my ass look like I’m the one to blame. I sprang from the chair. “Make sure you take all your shit, because you ain’t coming back here!”
    Alvin stood there and rocked on the back of his heels. “You sound like a fool.”
    â€œNo, you’re the fool believing your daughter, but then she gets it honest so that explains it all.”
    â€œThat’s the reason why we’re not still together.”
    â€œWe’re not together because I left your sorry ass.” I put my fingers in his face and he had the nerve