The Johnson Sisters by Tresser Henderson Page B

over.”
    â€œYou did what?” I blurted in the middle of pouring the hot elixir into my mug. I halted my coffee-pouring midair, trying really hard not to drop the pot onto the granite countertop.
    â€œYou heard me,” Phoenix said.
    I looked at Serena, who stretched her eyes and picked up her own cup to take a sip. The mug was so big it looked like it was covering her entire face. Maybe she was trying to hide from me.
    With Phoenix at the reins, I knew this situation was going to get worse, which was why I knew Serena told her instead of any of our other sisters. To be as pretty as she was, Phoenix was boughetto —bougie and ghetto. Yesterday she was high-class snooty; now she was ready to scream whooty-who. Just call my sister Phoenix the diva of the family. She was the type to start trouble and then finish it, even if it meant somebody else was fighting her battles. Don’t get me wrong; Phoenix fought. She had to, as many times as she slept with somebody’s husband.
    My sister let her beauty work for the good of her pockets. Where she got that behavior from, I don’t know. Her attractiveness managed to get her a house, a brand new Range Rover, and monthly installments of money given to her. Whoever her sugar daddy or daddies were this time, they were definitely taking good care of her. Still, I had to wonder at what cost.
    â€œYou see why you shouldn’t have told Phoenix,” I said to Serena, putting some sugar into my coffee.
    â€œDon’t be mad at her. Be mad at me,” Phoenix said.
    â€œOh, I am. I wish y’all would let me handle this on my own,” I said.
    â€œJust like you handled him last night? From the looks of your damn eye, it looks like he handled you good,” Phoenix responded, taking a sip of her coffee as she eyed the bruise on my eye.
    â€œPhoenix,” Serena called.
    â€œWhat?” Phoenix asked, looking dumbfounded.
    â€œReally? You had to talk about the bruises.”
    â€œI’m pretty sure she saw them when she looked into the mirror this morning. Maybe that will further help her decide not to go back to that punk.”
    I rolled my eyes, saying, “You see why I don’t ever want to come to y’all with anything.”
    â€œWhy you trippin’? You lucky to be alive from what I heard from Serena, and you complaining,” Phoenix said with a sneer.
    â€œPhoenix, don’t start with me today. You know you don’t want none. I might have got caught off-guard last night, but this morning I’m more than lucid enough to know how to whoop your ass.”
    â€œI’m trying to help,” she blurted like she was doing me a favor.
    â€œBut I didn’t ask you to, did I?” I said, leaning forward for her to read my lips and hear me good.
    â€œGet your panties out your ass and be happy you got family willing to be there for you. All you have to say is thank you and leave it at that,” Phoenix countered.
    I sighed my frustration, asking Serena, “Did you call Dawn and Vivian, too?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t. I figured we would see them later at our dinner.”
    â€œThat’s if I go,” I murmured.
    â€œWhy aren’t you going?” Phoenix asked, frowning.
    â€œI don’t need to hear why I let this happen. It’s bad enough having to deal with you two.”
    â€œAre we that bad?” Phoenix asked.
    â€œHell yeah,” I shouted.
    â€œShauna, I know I come off hard sometimes—” Phoenix began to say.
    â€œYou think?” I responded.
    â€œAnd I acknowledge that, but I act crazy when it comes to the people I love.”
    â€œNot only with the people you love,” Serena said under her breath.
    Phoenix nudged her with her elbow, causing Serena to say, “Ouch.”
    â€œLike I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,” Phoenix said, side-eyeing Serena, “I love you, Shauna. I hate this happened to you. Yes, I have overreacted,