A WEEK LATER #2
Nancy was dressed in the standard cream-colored scrubs with plain white slip-on shoes that resembled Crocs.
Despite everything she'd been through, her skin still looked flawless.
Her short haircut framed her face perfectly, and when she smiled, those deep dimples that Candy had inherited immediately appeared.
"You look good, Mama."
Nancy laughed. "And you still know how to lie."
Candy smiled. "I'm serious."
Nancy reached across the table and grabbed her hand.
"How's my grandbaby?"
That question immediately brightened Candy's face. "MJ getting so big."
Nancy grinned. "Yeah?"
"He’s pulling up on things and trying to walk now."
Nancy's eyes widened. "Nooooo."
“Yes,” Candy laughed. "And he chunky too. Like ridiculously chunky."
Nancy placed her hand over her chest. "Lord have mercy."
They burst out laughing.
"I can't wait to hold him," Nancy said, as her voice softened. "He is so beautiful. I keep his pictures inside my Bible."
"It took forever to get those Christmas pictures though. That boy did not wanna cooperate."
Nancy immediately laughed. "I could tell."
"He was crying, trying to crawl away, trying to eat the decorations..."
Nancy laughed harder. “I can see him now.”
“Yeah, wish you were there to see it in person. He is a real hoot.”
“Just like his mama. You used to give me hell too when it was picture time."
They laughed as the conversation drifted naturally then Candy studied her mother's hair.
"I like your haircut."
Nancy touched it automatically. "You do?"
"It's cute." Candy nodded. "It fits your face."
Nancy smiled. "You think so?"
"I know so." Candy leaned back in her chair. "When you come home, I'm curling it into a pixie style."
Nancy laughed. "Girl."
"I'm serious."
"Well, I can't wait."
For a moment, both women simply smiled at each other.
Then Candy switched subjects. "How was your visit with Aunt Linda last weekend?"
Nancy's smile faded slightly. "It was okay."
Candy immediately caught it. "What you mean okay?"
Nancy sighed. "I don't know. Our relationship just ain't the same anymore."
Candy frowned. "What happened?"
"Nothing happened." Nancy looked down at her hands. "I think reality finally set in."
Candy remained quiet.
"The longer Will gone, the more I think Linda dealing with it in her own way."
"You mean holding a grudge or blaming you?"
Nancy looked up immediately. "No."
"Come on, Mama."
"No,” Nancy repeated with a shake of her head. “She’s hurt."
Candy rolled her eyes. "Who cares?"
Nancy immediately cut her eyes at her. "I care."
Candy sighed. "Mama—"
Nancy pointed at her. "No. That's still your auntie, and she loves us very much."
Candy leaned back in her chair. "Could've fooled me."
Nancy frowned. "Candy, that ain’t nice."
"I'm serious." Candy folded her arms. "Every time I turn around, she in Jamaica somewhere. Hell, she might as well move there."
Nancy's eyes widened. "Watch your mouth lil’ girl."
Candy immediately lowered her head. "Sorry."
"Be respectful,” Nancy asserted.
"I said sorry."
Nancy shook her head before softening. "Linda is not fake or even betraying us as you would think."
Candy snorted. "Agree to disagree."
"No." Nancy held her gaze. "She's grieving. Will was her only brother. You knew how close they were."
Candy looked away. "They were close," she mumbled under her breath.
Nancy squeezed her daughter's hand. "Closer than you realize."
Candy didn't respond.
"Maybe being around Will’s son reminds her of him."
That got Candy's attention.
Nancy continued. "Maybe that baby helps her heal. Who knows?" Then she pointed at her daughter. "But you need to show her some grace.”
“Well, why she’s not hanging around me? I am his daughter and have had his grandson.”
“I don’t believe she’s coming to visit like that because it reminds her of him. Memories like that can be very painful. Will is still all over that house. Going there is like a reminder that he’s gone."
Candy sighed.
“She tells me how you’ve been acting and I have to tell her the same thing. You’re dealing in your own way, too. But this has certainly fractured our bond. She understands what has happened but I’m still the woman who killed her brother.”
"I guess."
"Not I guess, Candy Smith." Nancy squeezed her hand again. "Definitely."
The conversation settled for a few moments.
Nancy studied her daughter quietly. Then she narrowed her eyes.
"Now spill it."
Candy immediately looked confused.
"Spill what?"
Nancy stared at her. "Candy."
“Mama—"
"What did Monty do?"
Candy froze.
Nancy already knew. Somehow, she always knew. It didn't matter how old Candy got. It didn't matter how good she got at hiding things.
Nancy always knew.
"Candy."
The tears immediately started forming.
Nancy sighed. "That's what I thought."
Candy looked down at the table. For several seconds she couldn't speak.
Finally, she swallowed. "Monty was cheating on me."
Nancy's expression immediately hardened.
Candy's voice cracked. "And he got another woman pregnant. Well, at least the girl thought she was pregnant but really knows?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Nancy stared at her daughter while processing the words. The disbelief on her face slowly turned into disappointment.
Then anger.
Then sadness.
Finally, she leaned back in her chair. "Have he not learned a damn thing?"
Candy shook her head. A tear slipped down her cheek.
Nancy watched it fall.
Then she gave her daughter the same advice she wished somebody had given her years ago.
"Walk away."
Candy looked up.
Nancy's voice remained calm. "I'm not about to preach to the choir because I've been there." She shook her head. "And we both know it didn't end well."
More tears fell down Candy's face.
"Leave him."
The words were firm.
Final.
"Leave him and don't look back."
Candy lowered her head.
Because deep down she knew her mother was right.
"You deserve better than that." Nancy reached across the table and wiped a tear from her daughter's face. "There is a man out there that's gonna treat you right."
Candy sniffled.
"There is a man out there that's gonna love you and MJ the way y'all deserve to be loved."
Nancy squeezed her hand.
"You don't have to cut Monty out of your life." She paused. "Y'all got a baby together."
Candy nodded.
"But being cordial and being together are two different things."
Nancy's voice dropped lower. "I don't care how much he cry." Another pause. "I don't care how much he apologize." Another pause. "And I don't care how much he beg."
Candy felt her chest tighten.
Nancy looked directly into her eyes. "Leave him the fuck alone."
The room fell silent between them.
And for the first time since everything had happened, Candy stopped looking for excuses for Monty.
Because hearing the truth from her mother hurt.
But not nearly as much as continuing to live a lie.