Chapter 18 #2
“That’s because I booked it months ago.” I paused mid-scoop of baked beans and looked at Xylina.
“What?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I figured it would be nice to do something, just the two of us, for your birthday. When I learned of Ryokan Cashmere, since you’re into hiking and all that, I thought it would be perfect since opening season for all that would just be starting.”
That surprised me. I knew the room we’d gotten wasn’t an easy one to secure but I didn’t know Xylina had put that much thought into getting it.
“How considerate of you, Xylina. I assume you two had a good time?” Dad questioned.
Xylina’s smile damn near took over her whole face. “We did. One of the best trips I’ve ever taken.” She laid her hand on my arm.
“Glad to hear that. My son works hard but hardly takes time out to enjoy himself.”
“See I’m not the only one who thinks you’re all work and no play.”
“My company won’t run itself. I didn’t get where I am today by taking breaks.”
“You have to have balance though, son. If not, you’ll burn yourself out.”
“Listen to your dad, Yosiah. In the beginning I was just like you, always hitting the ground running. It wasn’t until I had kids that I realized that it was okay to step back and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
By that time it was too late to get back the time I missed, but I vowed to slow down and make myself and my family a priority. ”
“He’s right, you know. Maybe once you two have kids you’ll be able to slow down,” Mama Chelle suggested.
“Kid?” Mom balled her nose up with a huff.
“Zoya,” Dad warned.
“Alonzo.” She matched his tone.
“Yosiah, you always wanted kids, right? I’m surprised you’re not a dad yet. I think you’d make a perfect one,” Reginae said, eyeing me slyly. “Don’t want to mess your body up by having a baby, Xylina?”
This was a conversation I didn’t want to get into. We had been having a good time, making small talk and enjoying good food. Kids were something I knew would shift the mood.
“Actually, I would happily have Yosiah’s babies. Mommy makeovers and tummy tucks do exist.” Roman choked on the beer he was drinking while laughing at the same time.
Mom hopped in. “And that’s the exact reason why you don’t need to have a baby”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re more worried about how you look rather than being a mother.” Mom brought her wine glass to her lips while I sighed.
“Respectfully, you don’t know me, Zoya.”
“It’s Mrs. Bedford and I don’t have to know you to know my son doesn’t need to be any more attached to you than he already is.”
Xylina tensed next to me.
“Oh shit,” someone muttered.
“And that’s not your decision to make. In fact, who’s to say a baby wasn’t put into me during our trip?” Xylina’s head cocked to the side as she glared at my mom.
It was like watching a ping pong ball getting hit back and forth. I knew Xylina could defend herself. She was snarky and quick when she needed to be. I also knew Mom was only worried about me and that was why she was so against kids between me and Xylina.
“I truly hope not. You already forced him to marry you, the last thing he deserves is to be stuck with a kid too.”
Another person muttered in the background, “Damn.”
Someone else muttered, “She’s not wrong.”
Again, Xylina tensed. This was only going to get worse.
For a second I thought about the last time Mom and Xylina went back and forth at my award ceremony and how that played out.
Xylina was beyond upset that I’d allowed and agreed with my mom’s reasoning.
While I was still in agreement, this wasn’t the place for that.
I needed to dead the whole conversation.
“Mom.” I spoke up, staring in her direction. “This conversation is inappropriate and shouldn’t be had right now.”
“Someone needs to have it, Yosiah. You’re not getting any older and you’re wasting your years denying yourself something we all know you want because of your sham of a marriage.”
“Mom!”
“Zoya!”
Both me and my dad said at the same time. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The table went silent, watching to see what would happen next. Xylina was damn near shaking next to me with her jaw clenched. This dinner was turning into a disaster.
“Look.” I inhaled a deep breath before pushing it through my nose. “I know you want what’s best for me. I know you’re only saying all this because you care, but you’re out of line.”
A shocked expression passed over her face.
“Not only is this not the time, but I don’t need you to speak for me.
What goes on in my marriage is something me and Xylina will handle in private.
You and Dad prepared this great dinner and I’d rather it not be ruined by an issue that has nothing to do with anyone who isn’t me and my wife. ”
Mom was silent, still in shock, while Dad sat next to her with a smirk on his face. We made eye contact and he gave me a nod.
“Well then.” Mom cleared her throat and set her wine glass down. “I didn’t mean to overstep.” She pushed away from the table. “I think it’s time for the cake.”
She didn’t wait for anyone to reply, getting up from the table and walking out the pavilion.
The mood was ruined and I wasn’t sure if it would recover. The tension was too thick and awkward.
“You all must forgive my wife. Sometimes she forgets our son isn’t a kid anymore. Xylina, please forgive me.”
Xylina stayed silent and gave my dad a half ass nod before picking up her phone.
“Trust me, I’ve been there. I had to force Michelle to cut the cord when it came to our kids.”
Mama Chelle turned and cut her eyes at her husband. “No one asked for your two cents.”
“I’m just saying. Sometimes as moms you guys don’t know when to let these kids fall on their asses and learn for themselves.”
The two of them went back and forth before Erik pulled Mama Chelle over and kissed her, silencing whatever she was about to say.
“No one wants to see that.” Roman balled his face up.
“Then close your eyes.” Erik kissed her again.
Xylina was quiet now, on her phone. The smile she previously sported was nonexistent.
“Cake time!” Mom had returned with a medium-sized, circle cake. A three and a five candles were placed on top. She was smiling like nothing happened.
“We don’t have to do the candles, Mom,” I told her when she went to light them.
“Nonsense. What’s a birthday celebration without candles being blown out?”
There was no point arguing.
After happy birthday was sung and I blew the candles out, the cake was cut and distributed. Xylina declined, still staying quiet and engrossed in her phone.
Another hour went by before the night finally ended. Mom helped prepare to-go plates.
Mama Chelle approached me. “Your mom has blinders on, you know?” Xylina needed to use the restroom so I was sitting at the table alone. Her kids had all left already and Erik was off to the side speaking with my dad.
“What’s that mean?”
She smiled softly. “I know she has her reservation about that wife of yours and your marriage. And knowing your wife’s family, it’s justified, but you can tell by the way she looks at you, Xylina’s feelings for you are genuine.”
“You think that after only one dinner with her?”
“It wasn’t hard to see. She looks at you all starry eyed, like you’re all she sees.
I don’t know the ins and out of your marriage or if she’ll make a good mother, but that girl is not faking having feelings for you.
Trust me, she could be some leech like that woman my son insists on marrying.
” She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes before continuing.
I chose not to comment about Ryo’s engagement.
“No matter what your mom thinks about her, the feelings she has for you are real.”
Xylina had stepped back into the pavilion just as Mama Chelle was finishing her observation.
“Let me go see if your mom needs any help cleaning up. I hope despite the little hiccup you enjoyed your birthday.”
Mama Chelle stood as Xylina approached the table. “Can we leave now?” she questioned.
I studied her for a second before tipping my head forward. “Just let me say bye to my parents.”
She nodded and focused on her phone. I wasn’t used to seeing her accept defeat so easily.
Getting up from the table, I went to say my goodbyes. Dad told me he would talk to my mom, but I knew it wouldn’t matter. She was as bullheaded as it came, and once her mind was made up, it was hard to change.
After I was done and grabbed the bag that contained the leftovers, I went back to Xylina, letting her know we could leave.
Xylina didn’t speak the whole way home. Only sound that came from her was her nails tapping against her phone screen.
Once we arrived home and I turned the car off, I stopped Xylina before she could get out.
“We’ve had a good couple of days. Don’t let my mom’s words ruin it.”
Xylina didn’t say anything at first. She faced outside for a long minute before slowly turning to face me. Her eyes dropped then rose to my face.
“Do you have feelings for me, Yosiah?” she questioned. I don’t think I had even seen or heard her be so serious before. “Or do you see this marriage as a sham too?”
My brows furrowed. “I told you earlier that I planned on giving things a fair shot.”
She bit the corner of her bottom lip and dropped her eyes. “You say that, but you didn’t even bother to put on your wedding ring.”
My eyes widened. In the beginning, Xylina made a fuss about me not wearing my ring, but eventually the complaint died out.
She wore hers faithfully, even now it blinged brightly on her left hand.
I always said the ring didn’t mean anything since the marriage wasn’t meant to last anyway.
Since Xylina stopped mentioning it, I figured she didn’t care if I wore it anymore, but maybe that wasn’t the case.
Her eyes told so many things her mouth didn’t.
A toothless, somber smile spread on her lips. “Right,” she said lowly before pulling away from me and stepping out of the car.