20. Temple
Sunday
Ma Lula encouraged me to come to church with her this morning. I knew the reason why, and dare I say I anticipated this moment?
Since Solomon had to work in Connecticut last night and wouldn’t be back until Tuesday, I thought it was the perfect moment to address my monster-in-law.
I knew I was wrong for wanting to see my grandmother get in her ass, but the attitude, the shade, and the disrespect needed to be addressed by someone her own size.
Ma Lula didn’t exactly say she would cuss her bourgeois, judgmental ass out, but I knew my grandmother. After I told her what happened verbatim, it was already set in stone that she would handle Mrs. Urine her way.
Service ended around one thirty. I couldn’t lie; Pastor Daniels always gave the best sermons. They were always so full of wisdom, and he didn’t preach in parables in a way that couldn’t be deciphered; he broke it down in layman’s terms, so people understood.
As we walked out of the building, we spotted Mrs. Urina talking to some of the church mothers in the parking lot.
“You sure you want to address her here, Ma Lu?” I asked, now feeling kind of bad about this.
“Absolutely,” she replied with confidence.
Ah shit.
I followed her over to the group of women and stood next to Ma Lula observing the scene.
“Sister Newman. How you doing? We missed you last Sunday,” Mother Ella said, giving Ma Lula a hug.
“Yeah. I wasn’t feeling too well, but I received some good news Monday. I dodged having to get my leg removed so I had to come give Him the glory today.”
“Amen!” Mother Ella and Sister Long exclaimed.
“That’s wonderful news, Sister Newman. God is good,” Mother Ella said.
“Yes He is,” Ma Lula agreed.
“How are you, Ms. Temple? It’s good to see you again.” Sister Long air-kissed me.
“I’m doing well. Thanks for asking.”
“Yes. My baby is about to marry a nice, handsome, wholesome young man.” Ma Lula bragged.
On purpose.
I know it was purposely.
“Awww, I know that’s right!” Mother Ella exclaimed. “I know you’re happy.”
“Immensely.” I beamed.
“I’ll bet,” Mrs. Matthews mumbled. The woman didn’t even greet us when we walked up, but now that her son was brought into the conversation, she had something to say.
We said nothing as we eye-warred for a good six seconds.
“Would you all mind if I had a word with Sister Matthews in private?” Ma Lula asked.
“Not at all.” They stepped away, and Ma Lula smiled at Urina.
“I read a book once about mothers and their firstborn sons. Some women's studies book I picked up one day when I attended True State University. It read that when some women have their first son, they tend to latch on to them.
“They hold on so tight that they start to visualize themselves being everything they’ll ever want or need.
I believe they call it an enmeshed parent.
Someone who thinks no one would ever compare to the love they give to them.
So, when it’s time to let go, they can’t stand the very thought of them being with anyone else but in their skin.
“Then, they get jealous, and it starts to become unhealthy, dangerous . . . possessive.”
“I don’t understand what any of this has to do with me, Sister—”
“This has everything to do with you because you’re one of those women.
I saw it with my own two eyes when he used to come in this very church, and you’d cling onto him more than you did your own husband.
Any pretty young lady he talked to in this place of worship, you inserted yourself right between them.
I assume that’s one reason he stopped coming.
“You even made friends with his ex because you thought they would last forever so you could infiltrate their life to keep tabs on him. When you lost that control, you got upset and insulted the other woman he brought around. Yes, I know all about that. But you see her right here?” Ma Lula pointed to me.
“You will not do that to her, because I will drag you all over this parking lot. I may be old, but these hands still work.”
Mrs. Urina stepped back as if Ma Lula had punched her. “And this is how a woman of God speaks to someone?”
“Girl, I may be godly, but my hands ain’t.”
I covered my mouth to hide my laugh. “Ma Lula—”
She tossed her hand up. “Hush, Temple.” Then she looked back at Mrs. Urina.
“Out of respect for that respectful young man you raised, I’m not going to touch his mother, but what you will do is apologize to my granddaughter.
She didn’t deserve your rudeness. Unlike you, I raised her to respect others, especially her elders, because I believe in good and bad karma.
“Temple is a good person, no matter if she dances, sells dope, robs people, or sells her behind on the corner. God looks at the heart, not the human. While you up in this church hollering out your Amens and Yes, Lords, you should know that those praises don’t match your personality.
It’s hypocritical to praise the Most High in the day but be a heathen by the time you walk out those doors. ”
I could physically see Mrs. Urina shrink before my grandmother and look away.
“You ain’t gotta apologize today, but you gon’ apologize, Urina.
Those two love each other, and you better cut the cord now before your son severs it for you, and you won’t have any connection to him at all.
Mark my words.” She rolled her eyes and looked to me.
“Come on, baby. I’m sure you’ll be getting that apology soon.
” Ma Lula took my hand, and we walked away from her.
I smiled on the inside once we walked away.
Ma Lula was a five-two, 160-pound woman, but her words and personality made her seem six feet tall. She could read you for filth and teach you a lesson in one breath, and you wouldn’t know what happened once she was done.
It was why Urina still stood in the middle of that parking lot looking lost about what just happened.
“I hope you don’t get me in trouble with my husband.” I giggled.
“Chile, I doubt if that man even cares. He’ll thank me later.”
I helped her inside the car, then got in and drove away.
“Thank you, Ma Lu. For always being there when I need you. God may not have come when I begged Him to, but He definitely came right on time when He sent me you. You’re my earthly angel.”
She took my hand and interlocked our fingers. The smile on her face and joy in her eyes made me smile.
“I believe it’s the other way around, baby. You look so much like Nikki that sometimes I would watch you sleep and cry. I love you, baby, and I’m so proud of you.”
I smiled and kissed her hand, feeling as if life for me had finally turned in the right direction.
I walked inside of Lucid and headed to Arie’s office. I knew she would most likely kick my ass right out the door as soon as she saw me.
Toni informed me that she had been asking about me since I left for Italy; I just hadn’t been in the mood to step foot in here since, technically, I was still on my honeymoon.
It was still kind of early on a Sunday, so Toni wasn’t here yet, but the regulars were in the building and greeted me as I walked by.
Deanna and Lala worked the bar, and I waved to them, keeping it moving.
Once I made it to the stairs leading to Arie’s office, I saw Marlo guarding the door. He smiled at me once he saw me.
“What up doe, Temptress?”
“Hey, Marlo. I’m here to see the boss lady.”
“You can go on up.” He moved to the side, and I made my way up to Arie’s office. When I approached the door, I raised my hand to knock but heard muffled moans coming from inside.
I laughed and listened for a bit. I could hear skin slapping and who I assumed was her husband talking her through it.
Just when I thought to call my husband, my phone buzzed with his name on my screen.
I smiled and stepped away to answer. “Hey, babe. I was just thinking about you.”
“My Beauty. I saw you called me this morning, but I was at that boring-ass conference with the mayor. I’m just getting back to my hotel room. I miss you though.”
“I miss you too, king. So bad.” I groaned a little, wishing it were me getting pounded into.
“FaceTime me and show me how much,” he said lowly.
“I wish I could, baby. I’m at the club—”
“Why?” he asked before I could even finish.
“Calm down, love. I came to sever ties with this place and clean out my locker.”
“Oh, okay. You were about to have me on a flight back home to snatch you up outta there.”
I laughed. “No need for all that. I have no interest in climbing the pole unless it’s for you.”
“It better be. You ready for next week?”
“Almost. I’m down to four dresses. Me and the girls are going to the bridal shop tomorrow so I can decide. I’m nervous and excited all at once.”
“No need to be nervous. Just focus on me and our forever. That’s all that matters.”
I smiled. “You’re right.”
“A’ight, love. Handle your business. I’ll see you tomorrow night, and I want you face down, butt up when I walk in.”
I smiled and bit my lip. “I shall be ready.”
“Call me as soon as you get home, and try not to drink. If you do, drink responsibly.”
“I got you, baby.”
We said our goodbyes just as the door to Arie’s office opened, and she and her husband stepped out. He grabbed her by her ass and drove his tongue into her mouth.
I kind of wished I could be a fly on the wall because her husband looked the fuck good and looked like he could put a bitch through the headboard.
“I’ma see you later, a’ight?”
“Okay.”
“What time I say be home?”
She blushed and pecked his lips. “Niinnne,” she dragged.
“You know what it is. Don’t make me come back here.”
“Boy, I’ll be there. Kiss my babies for me. Make sure you wash your face and brush your teeth first, though.”
He chuckled. “Shut yo’ ass up. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Tell your workers to quit spying on us,” he said, tossing his head my way with a smirk.
Arie looked over at me.
My mouth fell open. “I-I wasn’t! I promise I wasn’t.”
He chuckled.
“Girl, get in here. Bye, Messiah.” She walked into her office, and I followed. “Close the door and have a seat.”
“Is it safe to sit down?” I jested.