Chapter 16 Chanel #2
He couldn’t have said anything sweeter. Chanel sighed. “Remember when I told you my mom and I aren’t close? Well, we actually
don’t really talk at all.” Unless she counted the drunken phone calls. “Being here with your family made me sad because my
sister and I have never experienced this kind of love and laughter.”
Vincent pulled her closer and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “I’m really sorry. That day when you were crying . . . Your
mom?”
“Yes.” She debated whether to tell him the rest because most men didn’t want to deal with the kind of drama her mother could bring.
“Talk to me, sweetheart.”
His soft voice and caring expression stirred her emotions. A lone tear escaped down her cheek, and she quickly swiped it away.
“My parents are alcoholics, and my father also dabbled in drugs. They constantly fought, and often Jada and I got drawn into
their mess. My father walked out when I was fourteen, and for a month or two, things were calmer. My mother didn’t drink as
much, and she actually started cooking a couple times a week. Then she got fired from her job, and we ended up right back
in the same toxic cycle. And it hasn’t stopped. She only calls to ask for money, and when I say no, she calls me everything
but a child of God. My sister and I have tried to get her into rehab, but she won’t go.” Chanel looked at him. “I had to quit
my last job because she started calling several times a day and would cuss out whoever answered the phone because I wasn’t
available.”
“Has she called the imaging center?”
“No. She has no idea where I work, which is why she calls my cell over and over until I answer. You’d think after all these
years, I’d be used to her outbursts, but it still hurts.”
“Baby, I can’t even imagine how hard it was for you and your sister to go through all of that pain, and I don’t expect you
to get used to the emotional beating you have to take. Just know that from now on, you’ve got me. No matter what happens with
us, I will always, always be your friend.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, a heartbeat from breaking down.
Chanel had always thought of Vincent as a great guy, and his words made her feel something she had never experienced in her other relationships: safe. She leaned against his broad shoulder as he set the swing in motion again. No words were needed, only the comfort of his embrace.
“So this is where you two are,” Giselle said. “Everybody’s getting ready to have dessert.”
“We’ll be there in a minute.” When she walked away, Vincent said to Chanel, “You okay? If you need more time, we can sit here
a little longer.”
Chanel leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I’m good. Thanks again for listening.”
“Anytime.”
“Now let’s go check out this 7UP cake. I don’t want to mess up on my first visit by blocking folks from getting their desserts.”
He threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Yeah, especially since you’re supposed to get the first piece.”
“Oh, shoot. I forgot about that.” She hopped up so fast, she stumbled. Thankfully, Vincent caught her before she face-planted.
“Hold up, girl. It’s not that serious.”
“Come on,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the house. When he opened the screen, the entire family was
standing there and turned their way.
“Man, you’re holding up dessert,” Austin said.
Chanel gave Vincent an I-told-you-so glare.
Tariq handed her a plate. “Chanel, you get first dibs today.”
As with dinner, she had no idea where to begin. Along with the cake, there was a peach cobbler, a lemon meringue pie, and
little chocolate balls. “What are these?” she asked, pointing to the chocolate.
“They’re s’mores truffles,” Kamryn answered.
Taylor let out a little squeal. “Did you say s’mores? You know they’re my favorite. Well, one of them,” she added with a shrug.
Kamryn smiled. “That’s why I made them.”
“Kam, you were right. You’re the best big sister eva! Hurry up and get yours, Chanel. I need me one of those truffles.”
Chanel laughed. “Okay, okay. Where should I start?”
“I’d just start at one end of the counter and go to the other,” Mama Yvonne said. “Go on and get a little of everything.”
Needing no further urging, she did just that. Pausing at the end, she added another truffle to her plate, then walked over
to Taylor and pointed to it. “Just a little something to hold you until you get your plate.”
“Bless you, my sistah! Vincent, she’s a keeper.” Taylor bit into it and did a little dance step. “Oh my goodness, these are
so good. Girl, I need to make a recurring monthly order for these.”
Kamryn held up a little bag. “Here’s your first order.”
Laughter erupted when Taylor all but snatched the bag and hugged Kamryn.
After the plates were filled, everyone sat around the family room moaning and groaning and complimenting the bakers. Chanel
had to agree: Kamryn could cook her butt off. If the pound cake tasted anything like the 7UP one, she’d be the one placing
monthly orders.
“You were right,” she said to Vincent. “And your mom’s peach cobbler . . .” She pretended to swoon.
“I told you.” He’d gotten huge pieces of the cake and cobbler, along with the other desserts. He held up the truffle. “I would’ve
never thought to do this.”
Conversation flowed around the room, and some people went back for seconds. Chanel headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water
and saw Giselle throwing away her paper plate. “How long have you and Shawn been married?”
“Four years.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“Chanel, can you grab me a bottle of water while you’re in there?” Vincent called out.
“Yep.” She placed her bottle on the nearby table before reaching into the cooler for another. She wiped off the excess water
with the provided towel. “Anybody else want anything while I’m up?” A chorus of no’s sounded.
“Are you okay?” Giselle asked. “It seemed like you were crying outside.”
“Oh, I’m okay. It’s nice to see a happy family. I’m not that close to mine.”
“Well, the Bradleys are a great family.”
“They seem like great people, and Vincent is such a sweetheart.” She’d finally found a good man. His family was a bonus.