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over there?”
    I shrug. “I don’t know. It’d be fun. Besides, I don’t get to spend a lot of time with the twins.”
    â€œSweetheart, I know Shaniqua and Kaniqua are your favorite cousins—only God knows why—but you know how your father and I feel about you spending too much time with them.”
    I sigh. “I know, I know. You and Daddy think they’re bad influences. But that’s so utterly ridiculous. I have a mind of my own.”
    â€œI know you do, sweetheart. It’s just that—”
    â€œWhat, they live in the hood? Is that it?”
    She frowns. “I wasn’t going to say that.”
    I make a face that says, “I don’t believe you.”
    â€œThere’s no supervision. Or very little of it over there.”
    â€œI know they can be a little wild . . .”
    She raises an arched brow. “ A little? You think?”
    â€œOkay, okay. They can’t influence me to do anything I don’t want to do,” I add. “I wish you and Daddy would trust me, just once.”
    â€œYour father and I do trust you. We just don’t trust them. ”
    â€œSame difference. You’re still saying you don’t trust me . Don’t you think I know right from wrong?”
    â€œOf course we do.
    â€œThat’s so unfair. They’re my cousins.”
    â€œYes. They are. But they’re also rude, disrespectful, and out of control, just like their mother. You can go visit for the day. But I don’t want you over there unless there’s supervision. That means your uncle Kent must be over there and your aunt Tiny must be sober.”
    â€œOhmygod! You know Uncle Kent is not going to go over there just so that I can visit with the twins.”
    Uncle Kent moved out two years ago, and divorced the twins’ mom like three months ago because all she wanted to do was hang out in the bars. From what I’ve overheard from my parents talking, Uncle Kent had had enough of Aunt Tiny’s roguish ways.
    â€œThen I guess you can’t go,” Mom says triumphantly. “Besides, I don’t like the company Tiny keeps. Ever since your uncle moved out she keeps a lot of riff-raff coming in and out of there.”
    â€œHow do you know that? You don’t even talk to her.”
    â€œYou’re right, I don’t. That still doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on over there. Tiny wouldn’t be half bad if she stayed out of the bars and stopped all that drinking.”
    â€œDang, Mom. You make it sound like she’s a drunk or something.”
    She shakes her head. “I’m not saying that. All I’m saying is, your uncle’s ex-wife is a bit too liberal when it comes to the twins. And she’s a bit too loose for my liking.”
    Translation: She lets them do whatever they want. Well, almost whatever. They’re not allowed to smoke in the house. And boys aren’t allowed to stay over past one A.M.
    â€œI tell you what. Why don’t you call them and invite them here for a weekend. You could have a slumber party . . .”
    With no boys allowed unless he’s a nerd? With not being allowed to hang out anywhere, except at the mall? No, thank you!
    â€œWhy can’t I stay over there?” I whine.
    She gets up from the bed, her forehead creasing with frustration. “Kennedy, you’re not staying a week in Irvington with your cousins. So you might as well let that crazy little dream go. If you really want to spend time with them, then you can invite them here for a week.”
    â€œWell, what about for a weekend? You or Daddy could drop me off on Friday, then pick me up Sunday morning, if you want.”
    â€œI have a better idea. How about they come here for the weekend?”
    I blink. “And do what?”
    â€œOh I don’t know. What did you plan on doing if I agreed to let you stay there?”
    â€œHang out and chill.” I say this as if