Chapter 14
After the surprise visit from my mother, the rest of the week flew by. Between Tuesday and Saturday morning, six of our mothers went into labor. I traveled back and forth between the office and the hospital more times than I could count, but all the mothers and babies were doing well.
By Saturday afternoon, I was strongly considering skipping the gala, until my mother called me to confirm my attendance.
The woman drove me crazy, but I was already estranged from my father, so I did my best to remain on good terms with my mother.
Our relationship was nothing like it was in my early twenties, but it was something.
After delivering two babies during the wee hours of the morning, I arrived home at eight o’clock and passed out.
It was now creeping up on four o’clock in the afternoon, and I felt like I could’ve slept several more hours.
Instead, I got up and took care of my basic hygiene before searching for Ginae.
I found her in the bathroom of one of the extra bedrooms, doing her hair and makeup.
“I guess this means we’re going to the gala,” I said, standing behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her shoulder.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at me through the mirror.
“You don’t want to go?”
I kissed her shoulder again before responding.
“You heard what I told my mother. If I never go to another gala, I’m good.”
“Then why did you agree to go?”
“Shit. At the time, I wanted to get her out of my house.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that before I bought that expensive ass dress?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t know you’d gotten a dress until after you bought it. Besides, it’s been a busy week, and all I’ve thought about is delivering babies.”
Instead of responding, she went back to applying her makeup.
“You got something you want to say?” I asked.
“No.”
“You can be honest with me, baby.”
“Can I?”
“Always?”
She put down the items she’d been using to apply her makeup and turned around to face me.
“It could’ve been me, or maybe how our first meeting occurred, but your mother isn’t a nice person, at least not to people who she deems are less than or not her equal.”
“I know.”
“I could tell you chose your words wisely when speaking to her.”
“If I don’t, there’s no telling what I’ll say.
Listen, if you’re worried about me letting my mother disrespect you, don’t.
I love her, but I only tolerate her most of the time.
We meet up to share a meal a couple of times a month, and she might invite me over for dinner a few times a year when my father is out of town.
After that shit went down between me and my father, my mother and I came to an understanding.
We have a very surface-level relationship, and she made it clear that if she had to choose between me and her husband, she’d choose him every day of the week.
As his wife, I can’t say she’s wrong for that. ”
“But you’re her son.”
I shrugged because I had no comment.
“I’m sure it’s hard not being close to either of your parents. I couldn’t imagine.”
“It is what it is, but that’s why I try to keep the lines of communication open with my mother. I don’t expect much from her, and she doesn’t require much of me. As sad as it is, it works.”
“If you want to stay home, I’m cool with that. Let me wash—”
“Nah. I want to show you off. Let’s go to the gala, but if I fake an emergency, go with it.”
She laughed. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. I’ll be ready by the time you are.”
About two hours later, I was in the foyer waiting for Ginae, even though she started getting ready well before I did. When I finally laid eyes on her, I fell in love with her all over again.
“Damn, baby,” I said before biting my bottom lip and extending my hand to her.
“You like?” she asked, doing a slow spin.
“Shit. I love.”
She wore a fitted and strapless, gold-beaded, ankle-length dress with a split that reached mid-thigh. It was not over-the-top, but far from simple, and she looked absolutely breathtaking.
“Thank you, baby. You clean up well yourself.”
I looked down at the black tuxedo I’d pulled from the back of my closet. It was one of many I wore in rotation when the need arose.
“I do okay, but having you on my arm will improve my looks a thousand times over.”
We shared a quick kiss before heading out. Once we were both settled inside my car, Ginae asked, “So, what should I expect?”
“It’s not much different from any other formal event you’ve ever been to, except it’ll be a room full of wealthy Black people. There are a few new families who recently joined The Collective, but most of these people were born into wealth.”
“The Collective . . . is that what it’s called?”
“It’s The Black Collective, but we know everyone is Black, so we don’t always say it.”
“Interesting.”
We rode quietly for a few minutes, but I could tell Ginae had something on her mind, so I asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“Huh?”
“You’re quiet and seem to be in deep thought.”
“We haven’t been back together long, but you made your intentions clear. If we get married—”
“When we get married. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Is my ring still getting sized?” she teased.
After the disastrous meeting with my mother, Ginae asked me about the engagement ring I’d mentioned.
I told her I only said that to shut my mother up.
Judging by how her demeanor changed, she was disappointed, which gave me hope that she would accept my proposal when the time came, with the ring I’d had tucked away in a safe place for over a month.
“It sounds to me like somebody wants an engagement ring.”
She smiled. “That’s usually what happens before people get married, but I’m in no rush. When we get married, if we’re blessed with children, I don’t want to raise them the way you were raised.”
“Good, because neither do I. Baby, I’m a member of The Collective because of who my parents are, but I don’t subscribe to the bullshit they’re on. Don’t get me wrong; they aren’t all bad, but even the ones I consider good people abide by rules that I disagree with.”
“I’m glad we agree.”
“Speaking of children, do you still want two or three?”
“I don’t know. In recent years, I’d kinda gotten used to the idea of not having any.”
“Why?”
“The dating pool has been pissy and shitty for years, and I wouldn’t dare procreate with any of those fools. Plus, I’m approaching thirty-seven, and I don’t want to be an old mom.”
“I’m not perfect, but I’ve never been called pissy or shitty.”
“Tuh. You sure about that? Because I called you everything but a child of God when I found out you were engaged.”
“Let’s not bring up old shit.”
“I’m just saying, there’s a very high probability you were called pissy and shitty.”
I quickly glanced her way, and we both laughed. The fact that we could joke about something that hurt us both so deeply was a good sign.
“Your period hasn’t made an appearance since I’ve been back in the picture, so—”
“For your information, my period ended two days before we reunited. It’ll be here in a few days.”
“Don’t count on it.”
“I know you’ve been trying to trap me.”
“I know you’ve been trying to get trapped.”
“I have not!”
“You can deny it all you want, but you’ve been a willing participant.”
“I’m innocent until proven guilty.”
“In a few days, I’ll have all the evidence I need to support my case.”
I waited for her to respond with a sarcastic remark, but instead, she broke out in a fit of laughter, which caused me to do the same. By the time we’d gathered ourselves, we’d pulled up at the venue.
“I hope I didn’t ruin my makeup.”
She pulled the sun visor down and looked in the mirror.
After dabbing her watery eyes a few times with the back of her hand, she was ready to head inside.
I exited my vehicle and met her on the passenger side, where the valet had already helped her out.
She tucked her purse under her one arm and looped the other through mine, and we went inside.
We were fashionably late, so the building was already buzzing with activity. I spotted my mother talking to a group of women and headed in her direction. It was best that we greet her now in case I had an emergency, real or fake.
“Let’s speak to my mother before she gets caught up fulfilling her committee duties,” I said to Ginae, whose eyes had been scanning the crowd since we entered.
“This should be interesting.” She gave me a still smile but followed my lead.
“There’s my handsome son. You’re late.”
We embraced, and I placed a kiss on her cheek before stepping back.
“I didn’t realize I was supposed to arrive at a specific time. I’m sure you remember Ginae.”
“It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Jordan,” Ginae said before my mother acknowledged her.
“Oh yes . . . Ginae.” She looked her up and down. “At least you clean up well.”
As I was about to respond, one of my mother’s friends spoke.
“Clementine, you didn’t tell me that Phyre was dating again. Who is this pretty lady on your arm?”
“It’s good to know my mother isn’t out here sharing my business, Mrs. Black. This is my fiancée, Ginae. Baby, this is Mrs. Black, Mrs. Warner, and Mrs. Smith.”
I went ahead and introduced Ginae to the other ladies who were present, hoping it would limit the time we spent engaging with them.
“It’s nice to meet you, ladies,” Ginae greeted politely.
“Did you say fiancée?” Mrs. Black questioned.
“I did. Well, I’ll let you ladies get back to your conversation. Ma, what’s our table number?”
“Twelve,” she said dryly.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening, ladies,” I said, gently pulling Ginae away.
We took a few steps before she whispered, “That was awkward.”
“Yeah. Mrs. Black is Kavia’s mom.”
Her eyes widened as she nodded in understanding. “Oh, well, that explains the cold feeling I got from her. I expected it from your mother. Those other ladies must be the minions.”
I chuckled. “Pretty much. There’s Lennon and his wife.”