Chapter 9 #2
The rest of the conversation was spent with me reassuring Ava everything would work out and fall into place.
At the moment, I wasn’t sure how I felt about being in a deeply-rooted friendship again.
However, I’d always be a friend she could call when she needed me.
After ending the call, I took a few minutes to process our conversation.
I prayed that I’d never know how it felt to have parents on the verge of divorce.
Leaving a relationship that ran its course was one thing, but walking away from a twenty-year marriage was different.
Over the years, I’d heard my parents argue a few times.
It was never anything serious, but my siblings and I knew there could be an ugly side to marriage.
Standing from the chair at my vanity, I took one last look at myself before sliding my feet into my sandals and calling out for Sparky.
In no time, we were in my car and headed to my parents’ house.
The evening air had gotten chilly by now, but it was still a nice day.
The sun was still shining and the streets of Pleasant Springs were filled with life.
I missed Mccoy something serious. I knew he was handling business, but I hated that it cut into our time together.
He was truly a gentleman. No matter what he had going on, he always took time out of his day to see me and check on me.
Edible arrangements and other small gifts were always delivered to the shop from him.
It felt good to have someone invested in me like I was in him.
Reciprocity was a big deal, so I knew initiating our first sexual encounter would be significant in his eyes.
It solidified that I was wholeheartedly in this with him.
Our relationship and where he stood in my life would always be clear.
When I pulled into my parents’ driveway, I parked next to my sister’s car.
Something told me she’d beat me here since she was always on time to everything.
I wasn’t a late person, but I wasn’t as prompt as Tiffany either.
“Well hello, my youngest child. It seems like you’ve forgotten your way over here,” my mother said as she stood in the doorway with a hand on her hip.
Spending quality time with my parents used to be high on my priority list. It only slowed down once the shop got busier.
That led to me spending more time making sure things were ready and in stock for the next business day.
I’d lost count of how many times customers came in for a particular plant I didn’t have stocked.
Letting money walk out of the door was a lesson learned, but it was all trial and error.
With all of that being said, Barbra Baker didn’t care for excuses.
She was big on family and I admired her for that.
She and my dad did the best they could to raise us and I was thankful for the life lessons and structure.
“Hey, Momma. I will never forget my way. Just been busy with business.”
“Business can wait when it comes to me, little girl. Don’t ever let weeks go past before I see your face.
The phone calls weren’t enough to hold me over.
The only reason I haven’t come to your house is because I try to respect your privacy.
Plus, I heard through the grapevine that you’re having male company,” she stated with a sly smirk.
My smile was instantly replaced with embarrassment. Tiffany’s ass talked too much and I’d be having a few choice words with her before the night was over.
“Chile, get yourself in this house. I don’t know why you over there turning redder than a strawberry. What? Momma can’t know what’s going on?” she joked.
“It’s not that, Momma. Some things I’d like to tell you myself,” I informed her as I walked in.
When Sparky walked in front of me, my mother’s eyes widened as she reached out to pet and rub him.
“And who is this big guy?”
“This is Sparky. The male company Tiffany told you about is his owner.”
“Well excuse me if I’m wrong, but pet watching is a lot to ask when you’re just dating.”
Before I could defend myself, Tiffany and my dad walked into the living room. Just like my mother, I knew my dad would have something slick to say about me not being around lately.
“What’s up, baby girl? It’s nice to finally see you.”
Rolling my eyes, I leaned into my dad’s embrace.
When he started asking questions about Sparky, I felt Tiffany’s eyes on me.
She was waiting for me to lie or not tell the whole truth so she could call me out.
My sister was my best friend, but there were little things she did that irritated me.
Telling my mother my business was one of those things.
When I was younger, I chalked it up to her and my mother being so close.
Now that I was older, I felt like it was more of a respect thing.
I wasn’t like that when it came to her business, so I’d like the same in return.
Once the greetings were done, we went to the dining room where my mom had the radio on.
“Cruisin’” by Smokey Robinson played through the speaker, lightening my tense energy.
Shortly after I took a seat at the table, my mom set a glass of red wine in front of me.
From the looks of it, she and Tiffany started drinking before I got here.
Without hesitation, I took the first sip and swayed my body to the music.
“Hello to you too, sister. Are we not talking?” Tiffany asked as she sat next to me.
Since my mother was in the kitchen and out of earshot, I decided to tell my sister what the problem was.
“Why did you tell Momma I was seeing somebody? Like, I haven’t even had a chance to tell my own damn business.”
“I only told her because she said Miss Kathy told her he saw you at the coffee shop with someone. All I told her was it was a guy you were dating. That’s it. I didn’t say anything else.”
My shoulders relaxed at her explanation. I should’ve asked questions before catching an attitude with her, but the scenario fit Tiffany to the T.
“Why would she mention it to you and not me?”
“Saturn, I don’t know. That’s a question you gotta ask Momma. All I know is I didn’t tell her anything more than that. I know you and Mccoy are getting serious, but like you said, that’s your business to tell,” she stated before taking the last sip of her wine.
“Okay, Tiffany.”
“Okay, Saturn. It’s crazy you’re irritated with me over nothing, but whatever.”
Standing from the chair, Tiffany poured herself another glass of wine and took a seat at the opposite end of the table.
As the evening progressed, I drank more wine and walked Sparky around the block.
During the walk, I called Mccoy to check in on him.
He informed me that they were less than an hour away from their destination and were doing okay.
I wasn’t sure if it was the liquor or not, but I was really missing my man right now.
Seeing his handsome face on my screen didn’t make things any better.
I felt clingy and couldn’t wait for him to make it back to me.
When I made it back to my parents’ house, a black Tahoe parked in the driveway caught my attention.
As far as I knew, no one else was joining us for dinner tonight.
Pushing the front door open, my steps faltered and tears welled up at the sight of my brother.
From the way he hugged my mother, I knew he had to have just gotten here.
We hadn’t laid eyes on him since he came for my grandmother’s funeral.
It felt like an eternity went by before my mother let Aaron go.
She was crying much harder than me, but that was to be expected.
Aaron’s relationship with my parents was complicated.
Certain things hadn’t come to light until he left for the Navy and I was sure those situations had begun long before then.
“Son, why didn’t you tell us you were coming to town? How long are you here?” my dad questioned as he pulled Aaron in for a hug.
“I didn’t tell anyone. I just wanted to come home and go from there.”
“Does that mean you’re staying? Like for good?”
“Yeah, Dad. I’m home for good. I’m still in the midst of finding a place, but I figured between staying here and with my sisters, I’ll be okay.”
“Uhhh, what gave you that idea? You’re not about to put a dent in my couch.”
At my voice, Aaron turned around and rushed me. When my body was lifted into the air, I couldn’t help but laugh and squeal.
“I didn’t hear you come in. It’s good to see you, Saturn.”
“It’s good to see you too. A heads up would’ve been nice though,” I countered.
“Listen, I just wanted to get home. I’ve been driving for hours. What were y’all in here doing before I got here?”
“We were about to have dinner. Your sisters act like we don’t exist these days, so tonight was supposed to be family night. Looks like the Good Lord heard my prayer.”
“Momma, stop crying. Come on, tell me what you cooked.”
Aaron grabbed my mother’s hand and led her to the kitchen.
Following them, it wasn’t long before the spread of food came into view.
Laid out across the kitchen counter was a pan of baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, and cornbread.
The pot roast was still in the crockpot and there was a pot of cabbage resting on the stove.
“You sure it’s just family night? It’s Friday night and you cooked this meal like we were celebrating somebody’s homegoing,” Aaron joked, making us all laugh.
“Boy, hush. I just felt like doing something nice for my family. Everyone’s been so busy and I wanted to make sure we had a nice dinner while we caught up. Your dad suggested a taco bar, but I wanted soul food.”
“Had we known you were coming, I would’ve had your mom make you a pan of dressing instead of plain cornbread. You and Saturn are the only two that eat it, but your sister made some not long ago,” my dad added.
He was right. Since we were children, Aaron and I would be the only two with dressing on our plates whenever it was made.
When I was old enough to start cooking, I always made sure I was in the kitchen when my mom and grandmother cooked.
Eating out was kept to a minimum and I followed that even as an adult.
Once everyone settled down from Aaron being home, my dad helped him bring his bags in and he got set up in his old bedroom.
By the time he returned, my mother was preparing to pray over the food.
The rest of the night went smoothly. Aaron didn’t go into detail about why he’d come home, but we were happy to have him back either way.
For the first time in a while, I felt like my family was complete.
Things weren’t perfect, but it felt like everything in my life was slowly starting to fall into place.
A sense of relief washed over me when Mccoy texted me, letting me know he was on his way back home.
The countdown was real and I couldn’t wait to be in my man’s arms again.