Chapter 1 Monique #3
Jasmine, though, didn’t release her. She squeezed tighter, taking in her own lungful and sighing. “I missed you, Mom.”
The kettle’s whistle downstairs pierced through the silence. They both sniffled and acknowledged the sheen in their eyes with synchronized watery laughs.
“I’ll go make your tea and see about Justin helping out with these clothes.
” Jasmine moved decisively, leaving no room for debate.
“Why not get the rest of them while you’re at it?
Many hands make light work, like Nana used to say.
” Jasmine smiled in a way that was so much like Justin’s—so much like Monique’s grandfather’s—that she was misty- eyed all over again.
Monique waved her off. “Send a child to Fisk, and she comes back doing too damn much…” She winked at Jasmine, a playful smile pulling at her lips.
“Whatever, Mother,” Jasmine said, making a show of her words as she flipped her hair in a Technicolor flourish before heading back down the stairs. “Get the rest of the clothes, okay?” she called from the stairwell.
Monique rolled her eyes and stomped toward the closet. “Okay, okay. Damn. So bossy.”
Jasmine’s laugh could be heard from the kitchen. “Whatever, Ma, just do it.”
Was saying yes to her dumb cousin’s destination wedding truly a good idea?
Slick Rick’s “Mona Lisa” played somewhere among the discarded shorts and body-con dresses that hadn’t been wrestled with since the twins needed training wheels.
Monique added another pile of clothing to her bed.
How was she supposed to find her phone in this pile of bad decisions? At least her ringtone was dope.
“Why don’t we just donate these and get you a new wardrobe?” an unhelpful Jasmine suggested. She sat the tea on the bedside table and pushed the clothes onto the floor in search of the phone. “Ma, most of these still have tags on them.”
Monique knew that. Shopping had been Mimi and Mama’s thing. Those two believed that retail was better therapy than whatever their doctors had ordered. If only you could put healthcare on layaway, then Mama might still be here.
“Jas, I’m fine. You don’t plan to spend your winter break giving your mother a makeover, do you?” The music stopped only to be replaced by a string of other alerts. “Ugh. Why did I say yes to this?”
“How do you know it’s about Cousin Tommie’s wedding? Maybe you won a sweepstakes.”
“Or someone’s been trying to reach me about my car’s extended warranty.” Monique rolled her eyes. Despite the physical distance, she knew her family well, and Tommie’s mama, Aldonia, had never been one to let anything slip too far through the cracks, except Monique.
She detangled her phone from stretchy fabric that might have once passed for a bathing suit twenty-five years and about a hundred pounds ago.
Her phone danced in her hands as a flurry of texts stacked up in the family group chat. She groaned.
TOMMIE
Cuzzo! When do you get in?
AUNTIE DON
Monique Renee, I still don’t have your flight information.
Monique clenched her teeth.
TOMMIE
Chill, Ma. She said she was coming.
The messages continued to pop and the conversation moved on without her. Monique tried to collapse onto the bed, but made more clothes tumble onto the floor instead.
“See,” she said, holding her phone up to Jasmine. “This is why I don’t want to go. They’re doing too much. I can bank my flight for another time. That way I’m not really losing any money.”
“Ma? You can’t back out now. They’re all just excited that you’re coming.” Jasmine sucked her teeth. “What will it hurt to play along for a little bit. It’s only, what, four? Five days?”
Jasmine passed the phone back. “And be for real. If you don’t go now, when will you ever use that plane ticket? You’re just making excuses.”
Her daughter was right, as annoying as that was. But Monique had to pat herself on the back too. She’d instilled in her kids the importance of family, of showing up and showing out for one another. Usually, she took pride in her tight-knit but distant family. Today, not so much.
Monique typed out a reply:
MONIQUE
Did I RSVP?
TOMMIE
girl you buggin
An Unknown Number sent a “shots fired” meme that made Monique chuckle. At least somebody had a sense of humor in all this wedding business.
MONIQUE
Quit crying Tommie. Save it for the wedding.
That Unknown Number sent a “No Lies Detected” meme. They were speaking Monique’s language. She huffed a laugh.
AUNTIE DON
Monique’s phone pinged again.
That Unknown Number sent the Janet Jackson “It’s true tho” GIF.
A giggle-snort burst from Monique’s lips and grew to a full-on laugh.
“Mom, are you okay?” Jasmine peered over the side of the bed and at her mother.
TOMMIE
yall buggin
LANIE (Tommie’s Lady)
Can’t wait to make this memory with you all. Remember the colors are burgundy, blush, and gold.
MONIQUE
Okay. And I’m taking a red-eye. No worries. I arrive before everybody and will get myself to the hotel.
AUNTIE DON
Okay doll. Keep us updated. Love you!
MONIQUE
Love y’all too. See you on the beach.
Her phone pinged a few more times with prayers for safe travels and a little more teasing before the message thread finally quieted.
“Why did they have to pick a resort wedding?” Monique scrutinized her phone. “I thought this was a family group chat? This one must be in the CIA or something. I didn’t even know you could have an unlisted number in the twenty-first century.”
“Sounds mysterious. Is it a guy?”
“I don’t know. Maybe? Their meme game is strong.”
“Maybe he’s funny and sexy.”
Gasping, she reached back to swat at Jasmine. “What do you know about sexy? You’re a child.”
Jas gave her a look that Monique did not want to acknowledge.
“Mom, this is a great opportunity.”
“An opportunity to do what? Get eaten by a shark?”
“Come on, stop it,” Jasmine said. “Nobody needs this getaway more than you do. Use Cousin Tommie’s wedding as an excuse to treat yourself.”
Monique kissed her daughter’s cheek. “You’re sweet, and I appreciate the encouragement, but I don’t know if I’m ready to go so far by myself.”
“Moooommm,” Jasmine moaned. “What are you afraid of? You’ve finished your treatment. Your numbers are great.”
“But… it’s too new for me to trust, Jas. I just don’t know.”