Chapter 27 Skye
SKYE
“I’m so excited about this weekend. Are you excited?” my mother blurted into the phone.
Hell no, I wasn’t excited.
“Thrilled,” I mumbled, doing my best to keep the peace.
I really couldn’t let anything else get me riled up today.
My mother had been in the city way longer than I’d hoped and had called me more times than I cared to count. Thankfully, she’d been so obsessed with my new nephew that she’d only managed to bother me by phone.
“That doesn’t sound like a voice that’s excited to me.”
“Sorry, Mama,” I said, tucking one leg under the other as I sank deeper into the couch. “I guess I’m just tired. That’s all the excitement I can muster.”
“Hmm…okay. Well, since we’re on the subject of your sister’s husband…”
I jerked my head back. “What? When did you hear me mention Kory?”
“Oh,” she said sweetly. “You didn’t say his name?”
“No, I didn’t.”
And she knew damn well I hadn’t.
That was just her slick way of bringing him up so she could get whatever was on her chest off.
“Well, I thought you did. But anyway, you know I try to mind my business—”
“Since when?”
“Oh hush.”
“I’m just saying,” I replied. “In all the years I’ve been on this earth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you mind your own business.”
“Skye.”
“What? I’m telling the truth.”
“No, you’re trying to be funny.”
Laughing, I stuffed a handful of chips into my mouth. “Trust me, I’m not.”
“Yeah, okay. Now listen to what I’m telling you and try not to choke on whatever you’re eating.”
“Mmhmm.”
I swallowed, washing it down with a sip of strawberry lemonade, pretending like I cared.
“So, like I was saying,” she continued, “I try to mind my business, but I don’t like what I’m seeing.”
There was a long pause.
I rolled my eyes.
My mama loved being dramatic. She talked like she was building up to a season finale reveal.
“Okay.” I sighed. “So what happened?”
“Well, for starters, Kory doesn’t help her with much of anything. He’s gone all day, home for a few hours, then back out until the wee hours of the morning.”
“Have you mentioned it to Leera?”
“I tried. But you know how she is. She’s only going to let you say so much before she starts defending him.”
“Of course.”
“According to her, that’s just the busy life of a party promoter. He’s just doing what he has to do to take care of the family.”
I rolled my eyes again.
If my sister had a talent, it was making excuses for Kory’s bullshit.
But I couldn’t judge too hard, I’d done the same thing for a man I loved.
“Well, there isn’t much you can do if she’s not bothered by it.”
“Yeah, but she’s exhausted. Taking care of a baby isn’t easy. And it’s even harder when you’re doing it alone. Me being here is the most help she’s had.”
My mother sighed. “You should’ve seen her when I first got here. Her eyes were puffy and red, little KJ was hanging off her titty, and her hair was everywhere. Now you know your sister don’t play about her hair.”
“Right.”
“Baby, it looked like she hadn’t seen her beautician in months.”
“Really?”
“Mmhmm. Damn near smelled like she hadn’t seen a shower either.”
“Mama, now you just making stuff up.”
“I am not. She was walking around in a bathrobe that smelled like puke and piss. Baby piss but still piss.”
“Oh wow.”
I shook my head, stunned.
Out of the two of us, Leera was always the extra polished one. Always ready for a photo.
Hearing this sounded unreal.
“As soon as I got settled,” my mother continued, “I took KJ, scheduled your sister a hair appointment, and made her shower. Kory not about to have my baby walking around looking crazy while he out living his best life.”
“That’s not cool at all,” I said. “Maybe it’s just temporary.”
“Oh it’s temporary,” she replied. “Because me and him about to have a little talk.”
“Mama.” I laughed. “You’re trying to get put on the first flight back home.”
“Please. Ain’t nobody putting me out. That man needs to be home with his family. Kids are work, and it takes a team.”
She softened. “I hope you find somebody that treats you right, so when you have a baby, you won’t be dealing with all that.”
My chest tightened as my mind drifted to Ocean and the baby conversation. It was crazy we’d even talked about it. And yet, it hadn’t felt wrong. It felt natural.
“Skye?” she called. “You hear me?”
“Huh?” I blinked. “No, what did you say?”
“I asked if you’re still bringing your friend with you.”
“Um, yeah.”
“Good. This should be a great time.”
“Mama,” I warned, “don’t start acting up. Ocean is only tagging along as a supportive friend. Nothing more.”
“Mmhmm.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know you are,” she said calmly. “But I also know love when I see it.”
“Sounds like a good time to get off the phone.”
“I bet it does.”
“Goodnight, Mama. Love you.”
“Love you too, baby. I can’t wait for you and your sister to see each other.”
“Mmhmm.”
“And don’t bring that little attitude of yours either.”
“Bye, Mama.”
I ended the call quickly before she could say anything else, and before I could change my mind about going at all.