Chapter 9 Giselle #3
be having a double wedding.”
“How long have they been dating?” Theresa asked.
“Only a few months. But they’ve been best friends since high school.”
Theresa dramatically fell back against the sofa and brought her hands to her chest. “Aw, friends to lovers. That’s so sweet.
How did you and your husband meet, Giselle?”
“We met in college.” Giselle dearly hoped the woman didn’t ask whether she’d graduated or what area of study she’d pursued.
“College sweethearts. We have something in common. I hope my hubby is enjoying himself with the guys.”
“Don’t worry. Tariq will make sure he has a good time,” Kamryn said, patting Theresa’s knee. “Giselle, feel free to grab something to snack on.” Someone knocked and she stood and headed for the door. “That must be Taylor.”
“Hey, everybody,” Taylor said as she entered. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Please. I know Austin is trying to get in every possible moment with you, and I love it.”
She smiled. “Me too.” She went to hug the two mothers, then crossed the room to where Giselle stood fixing a plate. “Hey,
Giselle.” She gave her a quick hug.
“Hey. I thought we were going to have to send out a search party,” Giselle teased.
“Like Kam said, we have to maximize our time, especially since we won’t be able to see each other for the next few weeks.”
“Okay, ladies,” Mama Yvonne said, “it’s time to get this party started. Charlene and I have come up with a couple of fun games,
then Kamryn can open her gifts.”
They played a trivia game where participants had to match the quotes from popular Black romance movies. Taylor got every single
one correct and strutted around the room flexing her muscles, making everyone laugh.
“Dang, girl. How do you know all these movies?” Kamryn asked. “You were a kid when some of them came out.”
“Austin and I used to watch movies every weekend, usually an action one and a chick flick, as he always called them. And now,
whenever they come on, I watch.”
“I guess I should get caught up,” Giselle said.
Kamryn said, “You know, we should have a girls’ movie night, and we can binge two or three of them.”
“Oooh, count me in,” Taylor said.
Theresa raised a hand. “I’d love to come, if I’m invited.”
All gazes swung Giselle’s way. “Sounds like fun,” she finally said.
She could count on one hand the times she and her sisters did fun things like this, mostly before they’d reached their teens.
There hadn’t been many opportunities to bond with a group of girlfriends growing up because her mother always claimed that they would be a bad influence on Giselle, or that she didn’t want all these people coming over and messing up her house.
The few times her mother had approved of her going to a sleepover, her sisters had gone also and made it their mission to backstab her every chance they got, which made the other girls wary of talking to her.
So she felt awkward and completely out of her element tonight.
Giselle couldn’t help feeling that if she let her guard down, they’d do the same to her.
Mrs. Brooks stood. “Okay, now that you all have finished planning your next movie night, gather around the dining room table.”
She had covered it with a black plastic tablecloth. “We’re going to do a little sip and paint with a wedding theme.” She held
up a pre-drawn outline of a bride and groom standing on the beach holding hands, and one that had been painted as an example.
“Don’t worry about trying to be perfect. The great thing about art is that everyone can have their own interpretation.”
Laughter and chatter floated around the table as they painted, and it continued while the women danced and then as Kamryn
opened her gifts.
Giselle watched as Kamryn and her mother sat next to each other, laughing. When Mrs. Brooks leaned over, hugged Kamryn, and
kissed her temple, Giselle felt a pang of envy. The loving relationship between them was as clear as glass, and she couldn’t
recall a time when her mother had ever been that way with her. There had been fleeting moments of affection on special occasions,
but never just because.
As the party started winding down, Kamryn said, “I am so glad this wedding isn’t until tomorrow evening. It’s hard having all this fun, and I’m going to need that massage tomorrow.”
“Massage?” Taylor asked. “Wait. I want one too.”
“I got you, girl. I booked them for all of us. I figure we need a little pampering. Also, we’re having breakfast here in the
morning at ten, so y’all can sleep in a little.”
A chorus of cheers went up.
“I thought you all would like that.”
Giselle couldn’t help but continue noticing the loving interaction between Kamryn and her mother. She speculated on whether
it was all for show. Her own mother had been just as attentive and sweet during Giselle’s shower in front of her friends,
but she’d turned into someone completely different the day of the wedding when no one was around. Somehow, she didn’t think
that was the case, and she felt sad knowing she might never experience that kind of motherly love.