Episode 54
Episode 54
Mommy Dearest
NAOMI
Memphis held my hand as we stood in front of my mother’s bedroom door. I knocked three times and waited. Anxiety chilled me to the bone and made goosebumps rise on my arms. Memphis nudged my shoulder playfully and made a silly face until I giggled like a schoolgirl with her boyfriend, waiting to see the principal.
“Come in,” Mother called out.
I opened the door and found her across the room, currently sitting in the sunshine on the balcony, wearing a pink satin robe and matching pajamas. She’d been released from the hospital earlier this morning, and her hair was perfectly done, her face fully made up. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her disheveled outside of the hospital visit, and even then, she still looked pretty good for someone who’d had a heart attack.
Memphis squeezed my hand as I tugged him through the room and onto the balcony. There was a four-seater table set up, complete with an umbrella that blocked most of the sun but didn’t block the open view of the ocean beyond.
My mother gestured for us to sit at the table, which had been set with cutlery, plates, and stemware. An ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and a carafe of orange juice sat in the center along with a variety of fruits, cheeses, and small, bite-sized sandwiches.
“Sit, sit, let me pour you both a drink.” Mother’s voice was pleasant, as she stood and poured champagne into two flutes.
Memphis held out my chair for me and helped ease it closer to the table before taking his seat. This move was tracked by my eagle-eyed mother who never missed anything. Her lips tipped up into a smile that warmed my heart toward her. It wasn’t that I didn’t love my mother; I loved her dearly. I just didn’t like her very much. We were two completely different people, whose interests and values were on opposing sides more often than not.
Memphis sipped the champagne. “It’s delicious. Thank you, ma’am, for inviting us to brunch. I take it you’re feeling better?”
She drained her glass and poured herself another. “I am, young man. Thank you for asking. Just a little under the weather, as they say.”
I frowned as she drank half of the champagne she’d just poured. “Mother, shouldn’t you be off alcohol after what the doctor said yesterday?”
My mother tsked and pursed her lips. “Young lady, I’ll have you know, I haven’t had a sip of alcohol since all of this.” She waved her hand nonchalantly in the air. “I’m fine. I’m at the perfect weight for my age and height. I exercise daily to keep this girlish figure and eat only the finest quality foods. And besides, Cook has been notified of my new dietary requirements.”
“Except your eating habits didn’t land you in the hospital with a heart attack. It was the exorbitant alcohol consumption, mother.”
“Naomi…” Her tone was as sharp as a knife and just as cutting. “Do not concern yourself with matters that are my own. I will handle my health as I see fit.” She drained the second glass and reached for the bottle.
I snatched the bottle, stood, and went over to the railing. I tipped the bottle over and allowed all the liquid to drain out onto the sand below.
“How dare you!” She gasped. “I’ll have you know that was a five-hundred-dollar bottle of champagne you just wasted.”
“Better than letting you get wasted, Mom. What were you thinking? You just had a heart attack. Your heart stopped working. This is serious. You could have died!”
Before I could make it back to the table, she’d stood, leaned over and snatched my full glass, then sat back down.
I narrowed my gaze at her as Memphis made to stand up. “I think I should probably let you two talk.”
“Sit down!” I snapped. “You are a part of this family now. You get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly.” I glared at my mother.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You see how I’m treated by my own daughter. Let this be a reminder to you, young man. When Naomi wants her way, she’ll do whatever it takes. Even embarrass her mother in mixed company.”
“Pleeeeease,” I groaned dryly and took my seat. “If you weren’t trying to drink yourself into an early grave, perhaps I wouldn’t have to be so dramatic in order to get your attention,” I fired back, my irritation rising to unparalleled heights.
“I didn’t invite you here to discuss my recent health concerns. I’m perfectly capable of handling any medical needs on my own, thank you very much. What I did want to discuss is your impending nuptials. Please tell me the two of you aren’t actually planning to go through with a wedding in less than a months’ time?” She lifted her hand to her chest; a diamond tennis bracelet dangled from her wrist. Something most people would find extremely odd when someone was wearing pajamas.
My mother was a different beast. Like my father, she flaunted her wealth with designer clothes, shoes, bespoke jewelry, cars, jets, helicopters, large donations to charities with causes she didn’t even care about. My parents used their show of wealth to control people or make others uncomfortable, and they were damn good at it.
“We absolutely do intend to wed in the next three weeks. Right, boo?” I used an endearment my mother abhorred.
I watched with glee as a grimace stole across her pretty face.
“Uh, yeah, just as soon as we tell my folks.”
Mother reached for a small sandwich and put it on a gold rimmed white plate. She repeated the process with a couple pieces of fruit and cheese. “Eat, please.” She gestured to Memphis.
He instantly loaded his plate with several small sandwiches. A man of his height and weight would need far more nourishment than a few finger sandwiches, especially after his run and our extracurricular activities in the shower.
“You realize the biggest roadblock between you and Naomi getting married is not me, or your parents. It’s Abraham. He has his sights set on a certain life for our daughter. One he has been preparing for since she was in the womb. What makes you think you’re the man that can give her all we expect her to receive? In a relationship with you, Naomi will be the bread winner, will she not?” Her eyebrow arched as she took a bite of one of the bright red strawberries and followed it up with a swig of what was once my champagne.
I gritted my teeth as Memphis continued chewing, wiped his mouth and placed his napkin back in his lap.
“Well Mrs. Shaw, my plan is to support Naomi as the bread winner of our family,” he said with pure confidence.
I reached out and put my hand on his knee and squeezed to show my gratitude.
“Of course, I want to make my own living and contribute to our lives, but I in no way need to outshine what she’s already created and achieved for herself. I’m a simple man. One who sees what he has in Naomi. One who understands the commitment she’s already put into her craft and the successful business she’s created. There’s no need for me to try and rise above it. She’s already hit the sky. My goal is to finish my degree and get a job that suits my interests and passions. Which I already know Naomi will support me in.”
“Definitely, baby.” I rubbed my hand up and down his thigh.
My mother shook her head and made that insufferable tsking sound I despised. I’d heard it so many times growing up, it grated on my last nerve.
“Abraham will not accept your plan. I wouldn’t put it past him to offer you a lot of money to walk away from my daughter.”
Memphis burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but grin. Mother looked at us both as though we were nuts.
“He’s already offered me thirty million dollars to walk away, ma’am.” Memphis grinned, his gaze flicking to mine. It made my heart so full, knowing he turned my father down. Sure, I’d purchased his hand for ten million, but he could have taken the money and run. The fact that he didn’t proved how interested he was in building a life with me.
“Really?” She smirked and finished what was her third glass of champagne.
“Yup, and I turned him down flat. Please don’t tell me you’re about to do the same, because I gotta tell you, Mrs. Shaw, I’m not going to take it. Whatever you offer will never be enough for me to leave my beautiful fiancée. She’s got me hook, line, and sinker.” Memphis smiled, then leaned over, his face now close to mine.
I hummed as I kissed his lips teasingly, tasting the champagne remnants. “Delicious,” I smacked my lips playfully.
He chuckled and Mother stared at the two of us, watching how we interacted with one another. She poked a chunk of cheese with her fork and pointed it at us. “If you think my husband is done trying to break you two up, you have another thing coming. What Abraham wants, Abraham gets. Look at me.” She leaned back in her chair. “You think I’d planned to marry your father, Naomi?”
I sat up straighter as my attention snapped to my mother. “What is that supposed to mean? You’ve always said you and Daddy were a love match.”
“Oh good Lord, and you believed that? Have you met your father? He’s an asshole. Rude, high-handed, often cruel to his employees, and has no problem belittling me for every little thing. My weight. How I’m dressed. If he felt I ate too much at a dinner we attended. If I ate too little. It never ends. Nothing is ever good enough for him.”
“Whoa…where is all this honesty coming from all of a sudden? Are you telling me you’ve been unhappy all these years?”
“Do you think I drink as much as I do for my health?” She scoffed. “I drink because it numbs the pain of having to live with a man who loathes and loves me in equal parts.”
“Why don’t you just leave him?”
My mother bit her bottom lip, her smooth dark skin crinkling around the edges of her eyes as she stared out at the ocean. “And leave all of this? Your father offered me the world on a silver platter, and I accepted. I made my bed decades ago, and I lie my head down on the most expensive satin sheets money can buy. Then when I wake up, I walk through my multi-million dollar home and am served all my meals by a Michelin-starred chef. I buy what I want when I want it. Don’t get confused, darling, I love my life and all its luxuries. I just prefer not to be around the man who makes all this possible.”
“So you’re a gold digger,” I bit out, shame coating my words.
“I’m an opportunist, Naomi. An opportunity to change my life for the better presented itself, and I took it. I do not regret that decision. And you, my dear, are the best thing I ever contributed to this life. Which is why I’m telling you right now, if you want to marry this man for love,”—she gestured to Memphis—“you better be ready for battle. Abraham wants you with Malik, the son I was never able to give him. He wants you to marry him and work by that man’s side until you’re ready to have children.”
I burst out laughing. “That’s never happening, Mother. I care about Malik, genuinely, as someone I grew up with and once loved. That love died a long time ago, and it’s never coming back. I’m older and more knowledgeable. I know what I want, and it’s Memphis, not Malik. It’s my own business not my father’s. I’m sorry if that lets him down, but it’s my truth, and I’m going to live my truth by my terms, not his.”
She smiled wide. “Atta girl. You stick with that level of commitment and just maybe you’ll get all that you desire. In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open because your father will stop at nothing to break the two of you up. Money is only a smidgeon of the wicked ways in which he controls the world around him.”
Memphis reached out and put his hand behind my neck, kneading the tension there. “I’ll be here every step of the way, Naomi. Whatever you need that’s mine to give—support, loyalty, an extra hand—you’ve got it.”
“Thank you, baby,” I whispered and sighed, hating that my family couldn’t be normal. I wanted to bring the man I was going to marry home and have a party. Celebrate this step in my life with joy and laughter, not threats and bribes.
“Now, while I’m feeling well enough, tell me what the plan is for the wedding. I’m assuming you want to go big, invite everyone. I’d be happy to do all the planning…”
I held up my hand and shook my head. “Mom, no. Memphis and I are going to discuss what we want, and then proceed from there. I appreciate the offer, but my wedding will be one that suits me and Memphis, not you and my father and all of your wealthy friends.”
“Naomi, that just won’t do. You know that when one of us weds, it’s a massive opportunity to mix, mingle, and network. Your father will want—”
“I don’t give a shit what Dad wants. I care about what I want. What Memphis wants. My wedding is not going to be a place where business deals and rubbing elbows is done. Our wedding will be Memphis and me, devoting our lives to one another emotionally, spiritually, and legally. It will be witnessed and celebrated by those we choose, not your charity friends or Dad’s associates. I’m sorry, but that’s not happening.”
“Naomi, I want to help. You’re my only daughter…” my mother pleaded, her eyes tearing up.
“Then you will respect my wishes and help me plan something we want. A wedding that’s best for us, not you and my father. Understood?” I tilted my head and glared, purposely not even blinking so she’d see the seriousness behind my demand.
She swallowed and pursed her lips. “Okay, Naomi, I’ll agree to your terms. But you are our daughter so we will be paying for everything.”
I was about to object when Memphis removed his hand from my neck and covered my wrist. “It is tradition for the bride’s parents to pay for the wedding, is it not? My folks will want to pay for the rehearsal dinner too.”
“But they’re already strapped,” I whispered.
He smiled so sweetly I wanted to kiss him again. “Once I pay off their mortgages and granny’s medical bills, they’ll be just fine.” He patted my hand.
I glanced at my mother and noted she’d heard every word. She now knew that his parents weren’t in the upper echelon of wealthy families. Something my father obviously hadn’t had the chance to research yet. I don’t know why, but I felt protective of his family, and I didn’t even know them yet.
“We should go visit them soon.”
“I’m ready when you are. I go where you go, Nay. What about work?” he asked.
“It will keep. My team is incredible, and my VP keeps me informed of everything with a daily email update. I don’t need to be in New York for another week. I’m meeting with Cartier to discuss a new line I’m crafting for their winter launch. It’s going to be breathtaking jewelry for the holiday season.”
“I can’t wait to see what you’ve created.” He lifted my hand and kissed the back warmly.
“As much as I enjoy seeing the two of you lovebirds together, I’d suggest you pack and take your leave before Abraham comes up with a new method to break you up.”
“But you just had a heart attack. Don’t you want me here to help take care of you?” My voice cracked with the need to be there for her.
Mother stood up and sighed, her shoulders sagging. “I have staff that will take care of me. And surprisingly, your father has shown more concern for my wellbeing than ever before. Maybe this is an opportunity for the two of us to reconnect too. Not that I believe it will help, but I’m always willing to try to better a situation.”
“Mom, you shouldn’t have staff assist you when you have a husband and daughter right here,” I argued.
She came to my side of the table, leaned over, and cupped my cheeks. “Naomi, you are a good daughter, and I love you with my whole heart, but I’d rather rest, check myself into a spa retreat for a week, and think about wedding plans. Go, meet your fiancé’s family. Have fun. But stay cognizant of your father’s antics. He’ll strike again.” She kissed my forehead. “I’m going to rest. It was lovely meeting you, Memphis. Take the private jet to Atlanta.”
“But…”
“No buts. We have a wedding to plan, and I need to rest.” She waved, disappeared into her parlor and then through the door that led to her room.
“Sooo, should we pack up and head to Atlanta?” Memphis asked.
I stared out at the ocean. “Yeah baby, let’s go meet your parents. I can’t imagine it will be any worse than what we’ve already dealt with.”
“Except for the fact that you haven’t met my ball-busting granny.” He winked and I burst out laughing.