Chapter 7
“ O kay. I’ve loved on you, looked into your eyes, gotten my two hugs, and checked on momma. Now, I need details. Spill it,” Monae insists.
Since I didn’t go to her house or let her meet me at Flavor last night, she demanded that we have breakfast before I go check on my mom. So we met at Morningside. The waitress just brought our drinks and took our order.
“And people think I’m bossy. They clearly haven’t met your ass.”
“We’re both bossy and? Who cares? What the fuck happened with Rex? I’m ready for some fun talk and juicy details,” she says then sips from her latte.
Her eyebrows raise as she impatiently awaits my response. Who knew that we would become close friends like this when she came to Crescent Falls over ten years ago? Even then, she was impatient and slightly despotic but surprisingly we clicked. Usually, I don’t rock with other women that are so much like me but Monae was different. I admired her strength. Not many women would hop in a raggedy ass car, hit the road, and drive with no final destination in mind but Monae had. She left Chicago, ended up here all alone, came into Redmond’s for food, and left with a job. We’ve been friends ever since.
“So, my drunk ass invited him over then I fell asleep in his ride. I do not sleep cute when I’m fucked up either.”
“Not at all,” she says then laughs.
“Bitch!” I laugh too because I know my mouth was wide open. I shake my head at the horrific thought. “See, so you know. Ugh. I can only imagine, but whatever, it didn’t scare him off. He helped me into my house and into my room. Then my drunk ass tried to pull him into bed with me. He refused.”
“Shit! What? He said no.”
“Yeah because I was drunk. He wants me sober.”
“Well damn! I can appreciate that. Any other nigga would have jumped your ass. Now I like him even more for you. You just don’t know how ready I am to see you happy in love. Plus, I want to do couples’ dates and game nights. Kinnidi is so busy with little Jamari and planning her wedding and I love my brothers and sisters-in-law but I want you to be there too for this couples’ stuff. Sounds like Rex is up for the job.”
“I think he is,” I say, remembering our connection and that damn kiss. As soon as he left my place, I hopped my turned-on ass in that tub and had to use my water-proof vibrator to finish the damn job. “But listen, you’re not going to believe this. We went to junior high together.”
“Rex? I thought you and his brother were classmates.”
“We were but Rex is younger and he was at Ridge Pointe too.”
“Okay! Get yo’ cougar on!”
“Two years doesn’t make me a cougar. Hell, anything less than five doesn’t even count. In my mind, we are the same damn age. Plus, apparently, he had a crush on me back then. Loc and his dumb ass friends were bullies and I stopped them from fucking with him. I didn’t even remember until he told me this morning.”
“Are you kidding me?” she asks, sounding as surprised as I was when he told me.
That skinny boy was Rex. My day had already been shitty, so when I saw them, I jumped in and took my anger out on them. Who knew that I’d inadvertently helped him and made him want to work out and get into a boxing ring. The tiniest moments could have a significant impact. I know that firsthand.
“I’m not. Girl, he is definitely not that little boy anymore. That kiss was some grown man, sexy shit. I damn near had an orgasm.”
Her dramatic ass fakes spitting out her coffee then laughs. It’s contagious as hell because I join in too. We are still laughing when our waitress returns with our food. Monet has her usual lobster eggs benedict and I have the Monte Cristo made with turkey instead of ham; light powdered sugar. I might be just a tad bit biased, but the breakfast here is really good, however it doesn’t beat our breakfast at the restaurant.
“So we are definitely seeing him again,” she states after we pray over our food.
“Definitely,” I respond without any hesitation.
“Now, let’s talk about Daija. How’s she handling everything?”
“Like me, times two. She already talked to her school and she’s gonna miss next week too. She’s trying to stay home as long as she can to help out with my dad. He’s having a rough ass time. I’ve never seen him cry before, Monae, and that shit broke me. You know he’s already at the nursing home. He is there as soon as the damn doors open for visitation. I’m going to scoop Daija up after we leave here and we’re going to check in on her together.”
“Well, I bought Momma something for her room. I know how much she loves her candles and plug-ins so I got this candle for her. It’s my new obsession and please don’t tell Samaya that I’m cheating on her and Light My Flame.” She reaches to her side and pulls out a little red gift bag then places it on the table. When she slides it over to me, I reach in and pull the candle out. “That’s for Miss Irene, not for you, heifer.”
Ignoring her, I examine the candle and open it to smell it. “Wow! This smells good as hell. I didn’t know they made candles. I know you better reach out and pull up another bag with the candle for me in it.” Without saying a word, she does just that. Another bag with a Baccarat Rouge 540 candle inside of it lands on the table and I smile like the Cheshire Cat. “This is why you are my best friend. Thank you.”
“I’m your best friend because I’m the only one who understands your bossy ass and I love you. I hope she likes the candle too. I want to visit and bring the kids. You know how much MJ loves your mother. Is it okay if we visit? Are there restrictions for kids?”
“No restriction for kids. They just simply say they can’t be loud, but I don’t have to worry about that with my niece and nephew. Just remember that visitation is only from eight to eight.”
My cell vibrates on the table and I flip it over. It’s a text from him.
Rex: Still thinking about you.
Me: Me too but shouldn’t you be focused on cookies or something.
Rex: I can do both.
Me: I bet you can.
Rex: You will learn soon enough.
Me: Can’t wait. Come by the restaurant for dinner. I’ll be there.
Rex: Bet.
“Mmhm. He’s got you smiling,” Monae says and I can’t deny it. I am smiling and I love it. I need to smile through all of this with my mom.
We continue to enjoy our breakfast, coffee, and catching up for about another hour, then we part ways. She’s off today and she and the kids are headed to the mountain to go ice-skating. I drive to my parents' house and pick up Daija. When we make it to Golden Age, it’s a little after eleven and time for my mother to eat lunch. While I sit with Daddy and check in on him just to make sure he’s maintaining, Daija looks over the menu options so she can help my mother choose her lunch.
“I’m not hungry,” my mother groans and my dad frowns.
“Baby, you gotta eat something. They told me you didn’t eat any of your breakfast this morning.”
“When I’m hungry, I’ll eat. I’m just not hungry right now. I drank my coffee and had a glass of orange juice. I’m fine. Daija, order your dad something so he can eat it.”
“Momma, you gotta eat something. They have a tuna salad on here. That’s light.”
“God only knows what they put in that. I’m not eating that.” She struggles with straightening up in the bed so I stand, walk over to her, adjust the pillows, and help her sit up.
“Momma, you know Daddy doesn’t like skinny women so you better eat something before he leaves you,” I tease and she sucks her teeth.
“You know I’m not going nowhere but you do need to eat. Get her a fruit salad; they have one on the menu,” my dad says.
“I’m not eating it unless you eat,” my mom snaps.
“Alright. Get me the tuna. Do crackers come with it?”
“I can ask for crackers, Daddy. Anything else? They have a turkey sandwich; you may like that, Daddy, instead of that tuna.”
“I don’t need all of that,” he huffs.
“I’m still ordering it. Momma may want the sandwich later before dinner.”
“Don’t be wasting these people’s food,” my mom says but I mouth to Daija to order it all anyway and she nods.
Food can be ordered a number of ways here at Golden Age. Meals for the day can be placed in the morning with the dietitian when they visit the room. Food orders can be called in during the windows of the meals. Lunch is served from eleven to one. And finally, you can place all orders on the app. She’s ordering on the app.
“I’m going to have the kitchen prepare dinner tonight for the staff. I know this is a five-star facility and the staff is amazing but a little food goes a long way. If we treat them right, they will definitely take care of your mama.”
“It’s Thursday so have them fix some salmon croquettes,” my mom says and we all still. Her recollection is all off and it seems to be getting worse.
“It’s Saturday, baby. But we still make the croquettes on Saturday too. That’s a good idea,” my dad says then stands. “Truce, let’s talk about the order,” he says and we walk out together. When we do, he closes the door and I follow him a few steps down the hall. “I wanted to tell you what happened. She had a small, small seizure late last night,” he whispers but my response is loud as hell
“Wait! What!” I yell, totally taken back by his revelation.
“Shhh.” His hand lands on my back and he coaxes me further down the hall. ”It was minor. The doctors told me this morning.”
“But why didn’t they call us when it happened? This is supposed to be round the clock care so they need to keep us informed around the damn clock.”
“Truce,” he scolds.
“Sorry, Daddy, but that’s unacceptable. They should have called.” He tries to calm me by rubbing my back but it’s not working. I’m infuriated and want answers. “No wonder she didn’t know what today was. I’ll be back, Daddy.”
“Truce.”
“I know how to handle myself. Daddy, it’ll be fine. Go back inside and I’ll be in there shortly.” Before he can try to stop me, I bolt down the hall to the care station. It’s a round structure in the middle of the floor and two people are sitting behind computers and another two are standing. “Excuse me. Who is the nurse for my mother, Irene Redmond?”
One of the ladies sitting behind the computer answers. “I’m one of the nurses,” she begins but a loud alarm sounds. She jumps up and she and one of the standing men rush out of the circle.
“What’s going on?” I ask but when I turn to see where they are going, I see the light outside of my mom’s door flashing red. I rush behind them and see Daija and my dad run out.
Daija’s screaming at the top of her lungs, “Help! Help! Something’s wrong!”
“What’s wrong?” I ask as soon as I reach her but she’s only screaming and crying and my dad’s head is bowed as he shakes it. My God! Dread fills my entire soul and I feel my heart drop into my stomach. The pain is indescribable and it halts me in my tracks. I inhale deeply then exhale slowly before turning to my mom’s door. When I try to push it open, something prevents me. “Open the door,” I plead.
“Sorry, ma’am. Give us a minute,” a male voice says.
Seconds later, three more people, one pushing a machine on wheels, whirl past me right into the room. I try to push my way in behind them, but again, I’m blocked.
“Clear!” is the last thing I hear from the room before my life changes.
T he door eases open and I just shake my damn head. “I said I got it,” I bark without turning back around. I just want to pack up my momma’s stuff in peace. I don’t want them to touch it and pack it up for me. All I asked for was thirty-fucking-minutes.
“It’s me,” I hear and turn to see Monae.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Daija called. Boo, I’m so sorry.” She steps closer timidly, then pulls me into her arms. “I’m so sorry,” she repeats as she holds me.
I have no words. None. My mother is gone. One minute we were talking about her lunch then less than an hour later, she was gone. SUDEP. Fuck SUDEP! She took a nap. A freaking nap and had a generalized seizure in her sleep. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy…shit! She’s gone.
I end our embrace but Monae doesn’t. She holds me a little longer then says, “Tell me what you want me to do.”
Finally, someone to help instead of trying to stop me.
“I need a box for her stuff. I have her clothes and shoes in the duffle. But the flowers, her throw, her bathroom stuff, I need a box or bag.”
“I’ll be right back.” She rushes out of the room and I grab my mom’s throw from the chair. I fold it and place it back on the chair. I walk toward the bathroom next and Monae comes through the door with a box. “It’s a copy paper box. Is this big enough?” she asks and I nod because it works.
Together, we get all of my mom’s things packed up in no time. Right before we walk out of the room, the aggravating nurse who has been trying to kick me out for the last hour comes waltzing in.
“Greyson Funeral Home is here to get her. I thought you’d want to know,” she says.
“Thank you.”
Monae responds because it’s really fuck that nurse and this entire place because they lied to me. Six to eight weeks. That’s what they said. She was coming home in six to eight weeks; they fucking lied.
When we make it out to the parking lot, Just, Monae’s husband is standing by her Land Rover. She’s parked next to me. He walks over and takes the duffle from me and the box from Monae.
“Where are your keys? I’m driving you home,” Monae says.
“I’m not going home.”
“What? Where are you going?”
“To the restaurant. I need to tell my team. They can’t hear this from anyone but me.”
“Truce, you need to?—”
“Tell my team. They are family too and I don’t want them to find out from anyone else but me.”
“Fine. I’m taking you there and then home.”
“I can drive. You and Just go home, please. I love you and I appreciate you coming and helping me with her stuff but I can drive. I’ll call you when I need you,” I tell her but she shakes her head in disagreement. Her eyes plead with me too but I don’t relent. “Please. I will call you.”
Tears well in her eyes and I just turn away and walk to my door. When I open the trunk, Just places the bag and box inside. Then he waves it down. I climb into my ride and close the door. Monae walks over to me.
“If you don’t call me, I’ll find you. I’m not letting you go through this alone.”
“I promise, I’ll call.”
She nods then steps back, allowing me to leave. Quickly, I start my engine then pull out. It’s a little after four, mid-shift, so the majority of the staff should still be at the restaurant. While I feel like I need to deliver the news, I only want to do it once. Repeating it over and over will break this last layer of my emotional wall I’m holding on to. The other layers were obliterated as soon as she was pronounced gone.
When I park in the back, I send a text:
Me: Quick team meeting. Have everyone in the kitchen in ten minutes. For the inconvenience, have the servers take all customers in the dining room a complimentary glass of lemonade.
Taj: There’s a line. Even those in line?
Me: Yes. Everybody.
Taj: What’s wrong?
Me: Ten minutes.
Taj: Ok.
I flip my visor down and instantly regret it. I look exactly how I feel; no amount of lip liner is going to change that so I flip it right back up. Then I fill and release my lungs before walking in to say words I never imagined I would.
When I enter, I head straight to the kitchen. Taj and Mack are standing by the door and the rest of the team is crowded into the kitchen. I do a quick scan to see who’s missing, but before I can make that determination, Tia and Myshawn come rushing in.
“Sorry,” Tia mouths then stops in her tracks when she sees my face. Her look matches the other seventeen somber ones, glaring at me.
“Turn the music down,” Mack orders and someone lowers the volume on the Bluetooth speaker. All eyes focus back on me.
“My momma is gone,” I begin and Taj actually screams. Others gasp and sigh loudly. Over the concert of sorrow, I continue. “It happened around noon and…and…” Their reactions are breaking me, the cries and the tears. I have to close my eyes to continue. “Tomorrow, I won’t be here. I have to make arrangements. As soon as they are final, I’ll let you know.”
Taj rushes to me first and grabs me. She practically smothers me as she sobs. “I’m so…oh God. So sorry,” she cries, words barely audible.
More bodies join and I end up sandwiched between my grieving team. Mack’s booming but soothing voice breaks it up and they all back away except Taj. “Whatever you need,” she whispers before finally releasing me. When she does, Mack walks over.
“We got this. You, Pops, and Daija ain’t got to worry about shit. I’ll open tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” is all I can muster because I feel a wave of emotion creeping up from my belly. I’m minutes from breaking down and I can’t do that here, in this kitchen, in front of my team.
Seeing my pending meltdown, Mack gives me a quick, one-armed embrace then crumples his chef hat in his hand before walking off. I bolt out of the door and rush into the office. I try to make it to the chair but my legs give out, my breath hitches, a sharp pain jolts through my stomach, and I fall to the ground as soon as I close the door. My hands cover my mouth and I scream into them.