Chapter 20
“Are you sure you want me to go? I’d be perfectly fine having a grilled cheese sandwich and chips. You can let me know how it goes when you get back,” Malyah said.
She stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning her body to the left, then right, then back to the front. The dress she wore was brown, stopped just above her knees, and hugged her modest curves.
I stood behind her and draped my arms around the top of her body. She looked so small, standing at about five-seven in the heels she wore, against my six-five, but we looked damn good together.
“You coming with me shows my mother that we’re a united front. What she did was wrong and disrespectful. If I go alone, she may think you and I aren’t on one accord and that she can do something like this again.”
“Okay, but since you and I are still getting to know each other, I need you to know that I’m not a disrespectful person. I respect everyone who respects me, but I strongly believe that anyone who is disrespectful deserves to have it thrown right back at them, and that includes your mother.”
“Listen, baby. I’ve been on the receiving end of my mother’s disrespect, so I get it. You’re my wife, and if she can’t respect you, then her access to me will become very limited.”
“Kenzo, I don’t want you to—”
“I’m not asking your permission to do anything. We deserve respect individually, and so does our marriage. I don’t give a fuck what the circumstances are behind it. We clear?”
“We’re clear.”
She nodded as she spoke, and I released her from my embrace. When she turned to face me, she reached up to fix the collar of my shirt. Before she moved her hand away, I grabbed it and brought it to my lips, kissing the backs of her fingers.
“I’m not perfect, baby, but I didn’t bring you into my life to fuck you over, or to stand by and let someone else fuck you over. My goal isn’t to hurt you, and hopefully soon, you’ll trust me enough to believe that.”
“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
I kissed her forehead. “You ready?”
“Yeah, and I’m hungry too. It’s almost seven o’clock. It’ll be at least eight by the time dinner is served.”
“I got the earliest reservation.”
“I hope they got some good bread and butter.”
We shared a laugh as we finished preparing to leave. A few minutes later, we were headed to Bonefish Grill. The ride was comfortably quiet, and I didn’t feel the need to force conversation.
When we arrived, I gave the host my name, and we were seated shortly after. I informed her that one more person was joining us, and she ensured she’d send them over once they arrived.
“Hopefully she doesn’t stand you up,” Malyah commented.
“She had a meeting on the other side of town that might be holding her up, but I’m sure she’ll be here.”
We looked at the menu while we waited, but we didn’t have to wait long.
“Sorry, I’m—Oh, hi. I didn’t know anyone else was joining us,” my mother said, not hiding her annoyed expression.
“Hey, Ma.”
I stood and kissed her cheek, then returned to the booth in my seat next to Malyah, and my mother sat across from me.
“Good evening, Mrs. Goode,” Malyah greeted.
“Hello. If I’d known this was a double date, I would’ve invited your father.”
“That’s not what this is, Ma. Pops don’t need to be here.”
“I disagree.”
“Ma, don’t act like we don’t share a meal a few times a month without Pops. This ain’t new.”
“This is definitely new, Kenny. You’re married now.”
“Oh, so you do acknowledge that I’m married. That’s a good start. Why don’t you look over the menu before our server comes? We can talk after that.”
“I don’t like your tone, Son. Don’t forget that I’m still your mother.”
“I’d never forget that.”
We looked at the menu in silence, and when the server came, we placed our drink, appetizer, and food orders. She’d barely walked away before I addressed the reason we were there.
“Let’s talk about what happened yesterday,” I said.
“A lot happened yesterday. Where do you want me to begin?”
“How about we start with you inviting Callie to look at venues with you and my wife. What made you think that was okay?”
“Malyah doesn’t know anything about you, Son. You and Callie have been a thing for years, so I figured she knows you very well and could be helpful.”
“You figured wrong. Callie and I were never a thing, and she knows nothing about me because our relationship was purely based on sex.”
“But—”
“There’s no but, Ma. You’re trying to force something that doesn’t fit, has never fit, will never fit, and I don’t want to fit. Since you and Callie are best friends now, did she tell you she lied about being pregnant with my child?”
“What? That’s not true. Callie would never—”
“She would, and she did, Ma. That’s why there was only one thing she could do for me, and that’s over for good. You owe Malyah an apology for the stunt you pulled.”
“I had no idea Callie was that kind of girl, but whatever version of the story Malyah told you, I’m sure she left out how disrespectful she was. I’m owed an apology as well.”
“But you do agree that your behavior was outta pocket, and you should apologize?” I pressed.
“Fine. Malyah, I apologize if inviting Callie to join us made you feel uncomfortable. That wasn’t my intent,” she lied.
Malyah delivered a smile that didn’t expose her teeth, and I wasn’t sure, but I believed that meant she knew my mother was on some bullshit.
“Mrs. Goode, making me feel uncomfortable was exactly your intent, and it worked, so I don’t accept your apology.
I know I’m not who you envisioned for your son, but real or not, he chose to marry me.
I’m in no way looking for your sympathy, but I’ve had a hard life, and as much as I’d rather there not be friction between us, I won’t lose any sleep over it.
I’ve faced and conquered much harder battles than getting somebody’s mama to like me.
I genuinely apologize for disrespecting you, but I match energy, so if you make disrespecting me the norm, I will give you the same energy one hundred percent of the time. ”
I watched Malyah as she spoke her piece, and I swear with each word, I admired her even more. She’d been through a lot and had moments when she wanted to break, but she didn’t.
I’d seen tiny glimpses of her vulnerable side, and I believed that with time, she’d let her guard down and be completely open with me.
I wouldn’t rush her, but I would show her what consistency, honesty, reliability, integrity, and transparency looked like.
I’d continue working to earn her trust, and hopefully, her love would soon follow.
Her quiet strength was sexy. She faced her problems head-on and didn’t let them break her spirit. The thought of marrying one of those bougie, entitled, self-absorbed, spoiled brats my mother wanted me to marry seemed asinine when I had this gem of a woman in front of me.
“Ma, is there anything you want to say?”
She released a defeated breath as her shoulders slumped. Her head slowly went from side to side, as if she were warring with something in her mind.
“First, let me give you a genuine apology. Although I justified it to myself, inviting Callie was wrong. When Kenny showed up with you on his arm and introduced you as his wife, I was upset because I’d lost control of the situation.
I let the women in my circle convince me that handpicking my son’s wife was the way to go.
You were on the receiving end of something that had nothing to do with you, and for that, I apologize .
. . for real this time. Can we start over? ”
Malyah didn’t respond immediately, but when she did, I think both my mother and I were surprised.
“Starting over is fine, Mrs. Goode, but just know, I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.
First impressions are everything, and my first impression of you left a lot to be desired.
I don’t hold grudges, but the slate is not clean.
Everything you say to or do for me will be suspect until further notice. Truce?”
The shocked look on my mother’s face was comical, and I had to try hard not to laugh. Malyah offered her hand to my mother, and she accepted. Although they shook on it, something told me that it would be a while before things were smooth sailing.
Our food arrived, and the tension at the table didn’t disappear, but we managed to enjoy it. My mother asked Malyah safe questions, and Malyah gave her safe answers. A few funny anecdotes were exchanged, and we laughed. Overall, I’d say things went well.
“I haven’t seen your ass since your wedding. I guess that means things are going well,” Ronin said.
It had been a month and a half since he’d been the sole witness and photographer for our wedding. Between work and being a newlywed, Ronin and I had barely communicated over the past month.
He hit me up and asked if I wanted to meet up for a few drinks and catch up. I could’ve stayed at work for at least two more hours, but a few drinks sounded good.
“Things are solid between us, although sometimes I have to fight Gramps for her time and attention. He’s taken her under his wing and made her his protégé.”
“Word?”
“Yeah. He finally found somebody who loves baking and creating desserts as much as he does.”
“That’s kinda dope, though. Sounds like she fits in well with the family.”
“I guess that depends on who you ask.”
“What’s the story?”
“Things were rocky between her and Ma for a minute. They’re better now, but Ma did some shady shit, so Malyah doesn’t trust her and didn’t bite her tongue when she told her.”
“Damn! She told her?” I nodded before taking a swig of my beer. “What did Auntie do? I know she be on her bougie shit sometimes.”
I told him what transpired between my mother and my wife, and how they reached a truce . . . somewhat.
“Malyah sounds like she’s not to be played with. Auntie probably thought she would scare her away.”
“Nah. My baby stood her ground, and respectfully too.”
“What’s up with Callie? She still creeping around?”
“I blocked her a while back, but she’s called the office a few times. I don’t know how many different ways I’ll have to tell her we’re done before she’ll get the damn picture.”
“You’re taking this marriage seriously, huh?”
“Would you believe it if I told you I think I’m in love?”
“Nigga, your ass was in love on your wedding day. I could see it in your eyes, and hers too. Y’all didn’t look like two people who’d met the week prior and decided to do each other a favor.”
“That might be true on my part, but I don’t know about her.
She’s not fully embracing what’s naturally happening between us.
I know she can feel it, but every time we’re having a moment when I think she might allow herself to succumb to her feelings, she reminds me that our marriage is fake or that we agreed not to let our feelings get involved. That shit pisses me off.”
“I’m sure it does, but it hasn’t even been two months. Give her some time.”
“She can have all the time she needs. I’m in this for the long haul. You ready to head out?”
“Yeah.”
We took the last swigs of our beers, paid our tab, and left. It was late spring and still light out, even though it was approaching seven in the evening.
“You good to drive ho—what the fuck? Callie, get the fuck off my shit.”
“Ah hell!” Ronin exclaimed.
“It’s good to see you too, Kenzo.”
Instead of moving away from my car, she folded her arms over her chest and crossed one foot over the other, clearly making herself comfortable.
“Aye, what the hell is your problem? I told your ass we’re done. What don’t you understand?”
“I know about your little arrangement with your wife. You don’t love her, so I don’t see why we can’t keep fucking. You know you miss me.”
I looked at Ronin, and he shrugged. I was grateful he didn’t hop in his car and leave me to handle this situation alone.
“Listen, I’ve had a long day, and I’m ready to go home to my wife. If I have to drag your ass away from my car to make that happen, I will.”
I continued toward my car and stopped about a foot in front of Callie. I didn’t condone violence against women, but the confident smirk she wore made me want to smack it off her face.
“Do it. I dare you.”
“Callie.”
“Do it. Put your hands around my neck and drag me. You know I like it rough, so it won’t be the first time. It’s been weeks since I last felt your hands on my body. I’m begging you to do it.”
“This bitch is crazy,” Ronin mumbled behind me.
“If you insist.”
I stepped toward her, and as I grabbed her neck, she threw her body against mine, wrapped her arms around my neck, and tried to literally climb up my body. She managed to lock her legs around my waist, forcing me to release her neck so I could get her off me.
“What the fuck is your problem!” I shouted.
As I worked to push her legs from my waist, I also had to fight to keep my face away from her mouth because she was doing her damnedest to kiss me. I aggressively swung my body from left to right, tore her arms from around my neck, and pushed her to the ground.
“Stay the fuck away from me.”
I stepped over her and got into my car. Ronin was parked next to me, on the other side, and did the same. Before we drove off, I let my window down.
“Good looking out, man. She’s crazy as fuck,” I said.
“Yeah. She needs to be stopped because I’m sure this ain’t over.”