Chapter 7 #2
My mom cleared her throat. “Well, Harvey… it’s a pleasure to meet you. We’re about to have brunch. Why don’t you stay and join us?”
“As much as I’d love that, I have to meet up with a friend in a few. I just stopped by to give you your gifts and meet the woman she can’t stop talking about.” He smiled with those white-ass teeth in his yapper, kissed Sabrina’s hand, and handed her the flowers and gifts.
“You know, it’s tradition to bring every mother flowers on Mother’s Day.” Aunt Eva sassed with a smile.
“My apologies. I promise the next time I see you, I got you.” He turned to Paige, pecking her lips, looking lovingly into her eyes while she stared back at him, looking the same. “I’ma see you later, a’ight?”
“Okay.”
“You ladies enjoy your day. Arie, I look forward to seeing you again.” He kissed Paige again and left.
I frowned, not bothering to even say bye to the nigga. I looked up at her as she smiled, looking guilty.
“What the hell did he mean by that?” I asked her.
“I kind of told him we’ll hang out with him and his friends this coming Friday when he returns. He wants me to meet them since I didn’t get a chance to last night.”
“Paige, what the fuck?”
“It’s just for a little while, Arie. If you love me, you’ll do this for me.”
“Don’t try to guilt-trip me, bitch.”
“Paige, Arie… let me see you two in the house for a moment,” my mom announced.
I cut my eyes at Paige as we stood to follow my mom.
Paige knew I didn’t fuck with anybody. I kept a low profile because of my extra-curricular activities.
Although we moved like ghosts, I was still skeptical about hanging out with niggas I didn’t know.
She knew that shit, but I didn’t have a choice since she was about to get married.
She would have my support even though I didn’t like the shit.
We walked through the patio doors into the den. Sabrina closed the door, motioning for us to sit.
“What’s up, Mama ’Brina?” Paige asked.
“First, that’s one hell of a surprise you sprung on me.”
“I know. It wasn’t intentional. I just wanted to get to know him before I introduced him to the special people in my life. He’s already been screened, and he checks out.”
“Hmph. Well, I want to see him again, and soon because that little in-and-out thing he just did isn’t going to cut it.”
“You will. He’ll be back this weekend.”
“And when is the wedding?”
“July thirteenth.”
Mom frowned. “Two months? How can you plan a wedding in two months?”
“Are you pregnant?” I had to ask because this was moving at the speed of light. I understood that she’d known him for a year, but to get married in two months was wicked business.
Paige giggled and shook her head. “I knew you were going to ask me that, but no, I’m not pregnant.
I just really think I’ve found my person.
He knows what I want before I even have to ask.
He balances me when I feel myself about to trip out, and when I start thinking about my family…
it’s like he does things to distract me from getting caught up in my feelings. I just love everything about him.”
I stared at her and could tell that she was genuinely happy. I loved that for her, but I was still keeping my eyes on this guy. Oftentimes, people mistake lust for love. It’ll be all good in the beginning, then once the honeymoon phase is over, that’s when the true colors begin to show.
I knew Paige could handle herself, but I still didn’t want to see my friend hurt. She’d been through enough to last her a lifetime.
“I’m truly happy for you, baby. Although he should have asked for my blessing first, I see that you’re happy, and that’s all I want for you.”
“Thank you, Mama. I took him to see Papa Lo?—”
“What? When?” I queried, shocked.
“Last month. He asked him for his blessing then.”
“So, he gets to meet him before we do?” I was offended.
“Arieana, chill. He needed his blessing, and Papa Lo knows best. He was the one who had him vetted.”
“Arie, sometimes it’s not about you, baby.
You both are growing up on me, and while this is a surprise, I want nothing more than you both to start living a normal life and giving me grandchildren.
Joseph and Priscilla would be so proud of you, Paige,” Moms said, standing and waving Paige over to her.
Paige stood and fell into her embrace. “I love you, Mama ’Brina. Thank you for being what I lost. You’re the best bonus mom a girl could ever need.”
“And I love you more, my sweet baby.” She kissed her cheek and cupped her face.
“I need y’all to help me find the perfect dress. The venue is already paid for, and I’ve been in touch with a wedding planner. I’m really excited!” She beamed.
“We need to get on that right away. Also, does he have parents?” Moms asked.
“He does. They’re coming up at the end of the month, and of course, they want to meet you guys.”
“You still didn’t answer my question,” I told her.
“What question?”
“How is this going to work, P? Is he moving back here, or are you moving to South Carolina?”
She was silent for a moment as my mom and I looked at her.
She scratched her head, then looked at me, sighing. “I’ll be here for two months after we’re married. That’s when our house will be complete, then I’ll be moving there with him.”
“So, you’re going to uproot your life for him? This is your home. What the hell do you know about South Carolina?”
“I’ll adjust. What’s the issue, Arie?”
“I just think you’re moving too fast. You just introduced us to him and have been hiding his ass for a year. Now you’re about to marry him and move a million miles away with this man?”
I couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness that my sister—my best friend—was leaving me. We’d been through so much together. We’d been friends since we were in sixth grade. She was the only female that I loved and trusted with my life.
There was no Bonnie without Clyde.
Paige sat next to me, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my cheek.
“We’re getting older, Arie. I know I’ve done some things that would have my parents rolling over in their graves, but I know the one thing they have always wanted for me: love, marriage, and children, and of course, to get an education and have a career.
“I know it’s going to feel foreign as fuck not having you by my side, but this isn’t the end. I’m hoping and praying that you find love, too, sis.”
I scoffed. “Yeah the fuck right. I’ll leave that to you. But you’re right… I’m being a brat because I don’t want you to go. It’s not going to be the same without you here.”
My mom chimed in, “Amour, I need you to stop being hurt about your father. I want grandchildren. I’m not saying go out and get pregnant right away, but open your heart to the possibility.”
“How is me being hurt about daddy stopping me from having children?”
“Because you’re hurt about him going to jail, and you’re hurt about him not wanting us to visit him anymore. Don’t allow that pain to transform into more bricks to add to your already tall cement wall. You keep blocking your heart from receiving the love you deserve.”
“I actually have kids already, Mommy. I don’t need anymore.”
Paige guffawed. “Girl, those damn Rottweilers do not count! And Mooney takes care of them more than you do!”
“Like hell they don’t! I have to feed, clothe, and take them to the doctor just like I would a real baby. Mooney only feeds them when I can’t. That negro can’t even be a housekeeper right.”
“Amour, please. Let’s get back out here so we can eat. Shantè and I have tickets to go see Maxwell tonight, so I’d like to get myself ready for my new man.” My mom beamed with delight.
I frowned. “What new man?”
“Maxwell! Didn’t you just hear me?”
I laughed. “Whew! I thought you were about to say someone else. Thank God!”
“Excuse me, but if I find me a little friend at the concert, you better believe I’m going to let him court me.”
“Mommy! You’re married.”
“Working on a divorce, actually. If my husband doesn’t want me anymore, then fine! I’m not about to sit around dwelling on the whys. I love him, but I love me more. Now, let’s go.” She breezed out of the patio doors as Paige and I looked at each other.
Paige finally shrugged. “Mama gotta have a life too, Arie.”
“Shut yo’ drunk in love ass up!” I rolled my eyes as Paige laughed and followed me back outside so we could finally start the brunch.