Chapter 16
Kalliope
TWO DAYS LATER
“You two have come a long way in a short time span. How do you feel about that?” Dr. Jessica asked, nudging her glasses up her nose with an ink pen.
“I’m not surprised. Andrès and I have known each other for a long time, despite the ten years that we’ve been apart,” I replied, bouncing my foot.
“You had more time apart than you did together. You met him when you were what—eight?”
“We met when I was seven, and he was nine. We played together in the way that big groups of kids who live in the same neighborhood do—tag, kickball, hide-n-go-seek, racing bikes, those kinds of things. He was my neighbor, but we didn’t become good friends until I was nine, two years later.
So, we had ten years together and ten years apart. ”
“Those were some critical growing years, though, don’t you think?” Dr. Jessica narrowed her eyes.
“They were, but not as critical as our formative years. The elementary years were where we developed our social and emotional skills. By the time we hit middle school, we were building social dynamics and learning to become independent of our parents, and that’s when he and I started relying on each other more.
High school, it was all about learning to manage relationships, conflict resolution, and learning to make long-term decisions. So those were the most critical years.”
“And you don’t think that college was?”
“Yes, but remember, he dropped out of school, and we weren’t that far from our graduation years.
I was halfway through college when he left.
The years after, it was just us cleaning up the messes we had created in life thus far and trying to figure out what we wanted our future without each other to look like. ”
“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into it, and you two just picked up where you left off.”
I shifted in my seat. “We did. One thing I’m certain of is Andrès’s love for me. I never doubted that, but I did doubt my place in his life once he made a life outside of Cherokee Springs, and I wasn’t certain that his love was an intimate love.”
Dr. Jessica glanced down at her notes and remained silent as she considered them for a while. “You indicated the last time he was here that you were concerned about the relationship dynamic with his parents.”
“Yes, and I still am. He’s not speaking with his stepdad, and the relationship with his mother is strained.”
“What about his father and stepmom?”
“He has a great relationship with them.”
“You sound hopeful.”
I smiled before I answered. “I am. If he can find peace with his mom, and he has his dad and stepmom, I think that he can have peace. He’s never had a close relationship with his stepdad.
I just want him and his mother to be reconciled and find a healthy medium.
I think it’s critical for them to find that balance if we’re marrying. Not only does Andrès need it, so do I.”
“What do you think you should do?”
“I need to have a conversation. I know that my mom thinks that I shouldn’t get involved, and maybe she’s right, but if I’m about to marry this man, I need to make sure that he’s healthy and whole.
We cannot go into this marriage with him not having peace all around him.
Even if things don’t become resolved between him and his stepdad, I need him to have peace with his mom.
I just want to make sure that, between him and me, we’ve done all we can to make peace. ”
“Has he asked for your help?” The look of concern on Dr. Jessica’s face held a warning.
“No, but his love language is acts of service. Those are the things that he appreciates, and it’s always how I have shown my love in the past. Do you think I’m wrong?”
She smiled at me and tilted her head. “You know that I won’t tell you what you should or should not do.
That is never my position, but it is to offer you guidance to a decision that brings you peace and helps you find the answers you need.
If it brings you peace, then you’ll find the proper way to handle it.
Just make sure that you think this through carefully, whatever you decide, and proceed with caution. ”
We may have been separated for ten years, but I knew my man the same way I had known him way back then. He had changed in some ways, and in other ways, the ones that mattered most, he hadn’t. I could see that he was hurting, and yet, he was trying to remain strong for me.
I was uncertain when we would marry, but I wanted to handle this little piece of business before that date popped up.
I hopped out of my car and strolled confidently up the sidewalk.
That was in case someone was watching. Truthfully, confidence was the last thing that I felt.
I wasn’t sure how this would turn out, but one thing I knew to be true: I had always and would always fight for Andrès, no matter what other people thought that I should do.
I only hesitated about my decision because I respected Mommy’s opinion.
Yet, the more I saw Andrès struggle and wrestle with indecision, the more I knew I needed to step in.
Once I asked him if he was okay with everything, and he said that he was fine, and it wasn’t bothering him whether his mom and Leon showed up or not, I knew he was lying.
I also knew that he was trying to protect me.
It was my job to protect him and his heart.
I rang the doorbell and waited. Both of their cars were in the driveway, so I knew they were home.
No other cars were here, so I didn’t expect them to have company.
I had just finished a shopping trip for one of my clients, and I knew it was late enough in the evening for Mr. and Mrs. Porter to be home from work, but early enough not to disturb dinner yet or bedtime.
I rang the doorbell again, and this time, I heard his mom call out, “Coming.”
“Lord, please give me the strength to say what needs to be said. I pray that no damage is done. Amen.”
She pulled the door open, and the curious expression on her face turned into a beautiful smile. Andrès looked just like his mother with his bright skin, russet-colored eyes, heart-shaped lips, and curly hair.
“Good evening, Kalli. I didn’t expect you to be the one ringing my doorbell.”
“I know. Is it a good time to talk?”
“Baby, anytime you come over is a good time. Come on in. I was just cooking dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Leon’s upstairs just getting in the shower.”
“It’s fine. I just need to talk to you,” I stated, somewhat relieved that I would not have to face Leon today, hopefully.
I followed her back to the kitchen where the smells of garlic, rosemary, and honey permeated the air. “Would you like to stay for dinner? I’m making honey garlic chicken, roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and focaccia.”
“No, thank you. I won’t be long.”
She removed her apron and sat at the table and patted the center of it. “Have a seat. I think I can guess what this is about.”
“It’s difficult watching Andrès hurting the way that he is.
I won’t pretend like I don’t know that he’s always had a strained relationship with Leon since you and Leon started your relationship.
I also won’t pretend that Andrès doesn’t have a bit of a temper, but I also know that his temper comes from the need to protect himself and those he loves when he feels they are wronged or not safe. ”
“I know that you know all these things, honey, because you’ve always been his biggest supporter. I knew you loved him long before you did.”
I lowered my gaze and then lifted it again.
“Then you also know that I’m struggling with watching him struggle.
I know that he’s trying to protect me, and in his efforts, he’s pretending that what the two of you are going through doesn’t hurt.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
We could have a wedding and no one show up but you, him, and me, and he wouldn’t care.
As long as his two favorite women are there, the rest wouldn’t matter. ”
“You’re right. This hasn’t been easy on me either, Kalli. I love my son, and he has always been my world. Andrès made choices long ago to exit our lives, yours included.”
“No, ma’am. Don’t throw that on me. You and I both know that while he didn’t make the best decisions, there also wasn’t any room for him here. Leon wasn’t trying to win father of the year awards when it came to Drè, but I’m not here to throw accusations.”
“Then don’t. Honey, you two aren’t married yet, but when you do marry, you will understand where I’m coming from.
Yes, I love my son, but I also love my husband.
I made vows to that man, and he and I will still have to live together long after Drè and the rest of the world goes on with their lives. ”
“I get that, and I’m not here to dispute that, but he’s your son.
When I marry Drè, I will have his back the same way that I always have and more so, but I will also support, love, and protect my children.
If I had kids and some man became interested in me, and I were interested in him, we couldn’t move forward if he couldn’t accept my kids. ”
“So, you have come to judge.”
“I only went there because you did. It wasn’t my intention.
I simply came to ask that you please show up at our wedding.
Whether Leon comes or not is on him. So, when you keep telling Drè you have to see what Leon will do, and Drè keeps saying he can’t come if he doesn’t apologize, trust that he means that.
You, on the other hand, he needs you there. ”
“Aren’t his father and Tora going to be there?”
“Yes, they are, but you’re his mother. No one can ever take your place, not Tora, his father, Leon, me, my parents—no one.
I don’t mean to be disrespectful, Mrs. Porter, but he loves you.
You are his world and the one person he wants there more than anyone.
He expressed that once before, but he’s not going to beg.
You and I both know your son. I’m simply asking you from one woman to another, make a stand for your son that you should have made all those years ago. ”
She held her head up and tightened her jaw. “You blame me for him leaving.”
“I did for a long while, but I also came to terms with the fact that Drè made his decision, and he didn’t always make the best ones. Yet, I still know that he wanted you to choose him, to make a stand for him, and you chose Leon back then, just as you’re choosing him now.”
I heard footsteps overhead, and I knew her husband was out of the shower. Before he made his way downstairs, I needed to leave. I was certain that if he saw me, he might say something that was offensive, and if he did, that would land Andrès in jail again.
“I need to leave now, but I just wanted to drop by to implore you to reconsider your decision and your son’s heart.”
She stood with me, and I saw the tears shimmering in her eyes and her jaw quivering, but I didn’t regret my decision.
“Does he know that you’re here?”
“No, he doesn’t.”
She nodded and walked me to the door. “You’re good for him, Kalli. I may not feel comfortable with your approach for him, but he needs a champion on his team.”
I bit my tongue to keep from saying, “The way you should have been.” Instead, I replied, “I always will be. Have a great day.”
I jogged down the porch steps, hopped in my car, and quickly pulled away.