I did not see that coming...I love the chapter

Hahahaha Marge go served and I loved every minute of it! She is probably making voodo dolls in her cell! Cant judge Ophelia, Raymond is all she has ever know, Raymond gotta a love hate thing going on for him :) Kevin knows he wants a piece of chocolate, so why is he acting scared. Thanks for sharing always look forward to an uypdate to this story!

Ophelia and Raymond are like no other couple I read about. I don't know if I should bask in their love of each other or be disgusted. They done so much dirt to each other yet there entwined. In a sick way there perfect for each other. Ophelia and Raymond are both using counseling session to manipulate their family.

Ophelia wants to get back on Benny's good graces. She chooses not see that beginnings of her relationship with Raymond is not normal. She may not have daddy issues but there something not quite right about her. I suspect it has a lot to do with her upbringing with Margie. Ophelia was force to be more mature beyond her years. Then when you Raymond to the mix her sexuality became hyper-sensitive at such age. What he did to her felt good and she confused and shamed.

With Raymond, he just he is just a shameless manipulator and he makes no apologies. He likes to dictate and control everyone in his tight circle. He saw his sister marriage to Jacob as a threat to the family unit. He saw Bennie as an object to control and shape. And Ophelia was and is his drug of choice.

As for Margie, Raymond true character is on display with how he set her up. He could resist his God mentality. He wanted get back at Margie because for so many years she had the power.

It surprise me how willing Ophelia was to able to leave her mother in the past. For so many years she was all she had. I just hope Ophelia and Raymond don't screw Justice up with their sick mind games. Bennie is right to keep some distance between himself and his birth parents.

Author's Response:

What can I say?  You are so on point with both Raymond and Ophelia.  They are each other's drug of choice.  I couldn't have said it better myself.  Raymond didn't kill Margie because he didn't want to take a chance that maybe Ophelia would resent him for it, so he just got rid of her.  More is coming!

Wow! Margie is a real piece of work. She took all of that money, manipulated the baby away from Ophelia, and never got her any help. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Ophelia never sood a chance with her as a mother. Well, she got what she deserved. And Raymond seems to be using his powers for good now. Something just doesn't sit right with me where Raymond is concerend. I think Ophelia is right: Raymond has mellowed but he hasn't really changed. He keeps saying all the right things, but I get the feeling in a pinch he would revert back to his old self without a thought. I just hope if it does happen, Ophelia, Justice and Bennie don't end up hurt. I can't wait to get back to some Bennie/Keisha sweetness.....with a little Alicia/Kevin thrown in for good measure. 

Great update as usual, Brenda. I can't wait for the next one.

Great update...

I'm glad Bennie is coming into his own, but I can't bring myself to rally behind Raymond and Ophelia. That's some Woody Allen-Soon Yi shiggity.

Ray sounds like he has humbled himself and knows that life is too short and it protecting and concerned about his family.  There is some redeemable qualities about him after all.  I see alot of his manipulation has to do with him not wanting to be alone and having other well his family depend on him.

Phelia is adament on not see this counselor but I think it's good for her not because she has daddy issues because I believe her when she said she did not want Ray for a father but good after having her baby taken away from her and a mother like Margie no redeemable qualities there. I like Bennie think she was still using to trifling ole bag.

I am glad that all is out in the open now and Margie has nothing to hold over Ray's head anymore.  Margie talking about she did not like be judged or want to be seen in a certain light I surprised other then what Ray did she didn't get any back lasish herself because it was like Bennie that put all this into motion with being an addict.

Alicia is bound and determined to get her man I hope it works out for her cause Kevin needs some misconceptions cleared up for him about black women yes indeed and Alicia is the womain to do just that. 

Justice said bump her family she is nice and cozy where she is at but she is about to be here shortly after labor has been induced I hope that there are no complications with the delivery.

I am just loving this story.  Thank you so much for sharing and for the long chapter don't make it a habit though cause then I'll be spoiled and you may not be able to deliver all the time :D

I guess in the end, its always the ones who does not deserve it, are the ones who gets a happy ending. I'm sorry, but this is just disgusting. Raymond gets to have a happy ending with the girl he raped when he was 11 years old? Margie in the end got punished for selling her daughter and grandchild. She gets 25 years in jailed. But what about Raymond? He slept with a 11 year old girl, what does he get? He gets a happy ending? To be with her with a new baby on the way, like nothing had happened? The the most sick about this is that he doesn't even regret it and admits that he would do it all over again. Both Raymond and Ophelia are so nonchalant about this issue. I know that what had happened happened and that there is really nothing you can do to change it. But it still makes my stomach turn when I hear both Raymond and Ohpelia talk about there affair as if it was the most normal thing in the world. They are going to therapy just to make Benny happy, but not because they really want to or see the importance of it. It makes me sick.

God!Margie is so damn greedy and selfish.How could she do this to her own daughter?I think she deserves life in prison.Raymond is so shameless.I mean come on Raymond for once in your life see the damn truth,how could you not regret sleeping with an eleven year old.Raymond seriously disgusts me.

LOL,Alicia is so funny.I laughed so hard when Alicia mentioned about his thick body and package.Kevin was completely flabbergasted.....Alicia,keep going girl,don't stop until you get your package.

I am so hooked to this story.You are just amazing Brenda.

I love this story. 

All's I can do is smh at Raymond. Kevin and Alicia are a hoot. She's gonna get him. And he'll definitely be "down with the swirl".

I hope there is a scene where Keisha shaves her head and actually embraces being bald.   I think her head is absolutely cute without a wig so she has no need to want to wear one.  I understand the insecurity but I'd hope that Benjamin would help her accept that part of her.  instead of having the patches she can just keep it clean shaven.   Additionally I can see her jazzing that up with some fierce eye make up and loud earings.  This was from when America's Next Top Model was good: 

Hope that might inspire Sasha and can I push for some more one on one time with Benjamin or at least bring in Bennie's best friend into their world.  Not all Black girls are about penis and I am sorry 8 inches is plentiful if not a bit much.  Is that flacid or erect?