Mona’s Epilogue
“ I ’m so pissed I can’t drink,” I announced as soon as our group was seated at a table.
It was me, Karla, who was recently divorced, Lariah, Austyn, Janeevah, and Norah. Our children were with their fathers, and we were out for a much-needed girls’ night.
“Why?” Janeevah asked.
“Guess who just found out she was pregnant? That would be my old ass.”
The ladies congratulated me before Janeevah said, “Chile, you ain’t old, and apparently, neither are your eggs. I know Clinton is excited.”
“He’s over the moon.”
“Uh oh, why don’t you sound excited?” Karla asked.
The server arrived before I could answer her, and we ordered our food and appetizers. As soon as he walked away, the attention was back on me as they waited for a response.
“Why hasn’t he proposed?”
“Is that a serious question?” Lariah asked.
“Yes, it’s a serious question. We’ve been together for almost two years and are about to have baby number two. He should’ve proposed by now.”
“Hold up. I need to let you in on a little secret,” Austyn began. “I’d been wondering why you two hadn’t walked down the aisle yet. I thought maybe you two had agreed that marriage wasn’t the end goal. So, one day, I asked Evander, and y’all know men gossip more than we do. He couldn’t wait to spill the tea.”
“What did he say?” I asked anxiously.
“That you told him you didn’t want to get married. Is that true?”
Before I could respond, Lariah confirmed that it was true. “Yes, it’s true. She used to damn near have panic attacks when someone brought up them getting married.”
“Well, I guess you have your answer,” Norah said.
“That was a long time ago. He has to know my feelings have changed.”
“Have you told him?” Karla asked.
I thought about it momentarily, but it didn’t take me long to realize I hadn’t.
“I gotta go. I’ll talk to y’all later.”
When I arrived home twenty minutes later, I found Clinton in the family room on the floor with CJ. My heart swelled as I watched them because the love oozed from their pores.
“Hey.”
Clinton looked up and smiled. Every time our eyes connected, I saw nothing but pure love and adoration.
“What are you doing back so soon?”
“I don’t know,” I lied.
“You okay? Are you feeling sick?” He left CJ on the blanket with some toys and came to me.
“I’m fine. Can we talk?”
“Sure. Let’s sit on the couch.” He led me to the couch, only a few feet from our son. I sat on his lap, and he held me around my waist. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I don’t know if I’d say anything is wrong.”
“Mona, something is bothering you, and I can’t help you if you don’t communicate.”
“I want to get married,” I blurted out.
“You what?”
“I want—”
“I heard you. Let me up.”
I slid off his lap, and he left me for a minute only to return with his hands behind his back.
“Clinton, I—”
“It’s my turn to talk now.” He kneeled in front of me, pulling a little black box from behind him. I gasped and slapped my hand over my mouth.
“Marriage is something I’ve always wanted with you. Although I believed we wanted the same thing, I had to allow your mind to catch up with your heart. Mona Latrice Cartwright, will you marry me?”
“Yes, baby. I can’t wait to be your wife. The best is yet to come.”
THE END