Chapter 10 VONSHAE
VONSHAE
“This is surprising,” my mama stated as she eyed Maja, who was still talking to my pops. Tilting my head to the side, I wondered what they could be discussing. Then again, Pops had known the Bell family longer than me. Therefore, I wasn’t surprised that he knew exactly who Maja was.
Taking her into a hug, I replied, “I told you I was gon’ surprise you one day.”
She rubbed my back. “After you decided that being a ho still requires a level of emotional investment that you’re not willing to give.”
Aghast, I burst out laughing. “Ma! That’s low.”
She eased out of my arms and shrugged. “You didn’t say that I lied.”
Giving her that one, I hugged her again.
I loved Carmen Gunner like crazy. The days and nights she stuck by my pops during his entire career was what I hoped to have one day.
Life of a law enforcement officer was grueling and most times, stressful.
I needed someone who understood the demands of my career and wouldn’t mind growing with me.
Watching my pops navigate his career and his family without missing a beat gave me great hope that I could do the same.
Pops walked Maja over and introduced her to my mama. The two smiled at each other and embraced.
“You’re as beautiful as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Mama complimented.
“Aw, thanks,” Maja replied, demurely.
“Can’t believe my son talked you into coming here.” My mama’s eyes snapped to me briefly before they returned to Maja who chuckled.
“Not gon’ lie, Mrs. Gunner, your son strong-armed me,” Maja revealed.
Mama laughed while Pops side-eyed me.
“What?” I questioned, innocently. “She owed me a date.”
“Right,” Pops mumbled.
“Von!” Mama fussed. “A family reunion for a date? Really?”
“I said the same thing,” Maja intoned. The two women eyed me with the same expression.
“It was for a good cause,” I reasoned. “Mama, you get to meet my future wife—”
“Von…”
“What?”
Maja responded first, but my mama was swiftly behind her, screeching in shock.
I addressed Maja. “You ain’t goin’ anywhere, remember? We’ve already been over this. Plus, you met my mama, my pops, and you’re about to meet the rest of my crew. You as good as family, girl.”
The tug of Maja’s lips caused me to grin.
I couldn’t wait to break her wall all the way down just to prove to her that, in my hands, she would never have a need for said wall.
Her wall would be me. Whoever caused the deep hurt that led her to wear those hats over her eyes wouldn’t control her any longer.
She would know how to smile and let the smile reach her eyes.
“Well, you heard him,” Mama said to Maja. “Come with me, and I’ll introduce you to everyone else… Well, I’ll try. It’s a lot of damn people out here.”
Maja chuckled. “Sure.” She wiggled her fingers at me, then Mama whisked her off.
Turning to my pops, I asked, “So, what do you think?” I was proud as shit. The hard part was over.
Pops sighed, then swiped his hand down the beard he’d started growing since his retirement date neared. “How’d you meet her again?”
“Bumped into her outside of Niceville Shores Credit Union,” I explained.
“Ah, okay,” he responded. “You of all people know how I feel about the Bells.”
“Yes, I know.” Chuckling, I shook my head.
“Aside from her being connected to them… Under no circumstances, do you break that young lady’s heart. Do you hear me?”
Eyeing my pops, there was something that lied in his eyes. I was a whole ass detective. His words of warning always meant something deeper. Suddenly, something clicked.
“You know Maja’s story.” It was a wild guess, but my pops chuckled and shook his head. “I’m right, ain’t I?”
“Son…” He sighed even heavier and said, “It’s not my place to tell you, and it’s not your place to go snoopin’ for answers. I’ll disown you if you pry.”
I looked at my pops like he was crazy. This shit was serious.
“She wears hats to conceal her eyes. You know why,” I stated again.
“I don’t know why. What I do know is that you’re my son, and I love you. However, I won’t tolerate you fuckin’ around on that young lady. She’ll be the first reason you and I are ever at odds.”
Shit.
“So, like I was saying, you better not pry. Give her the space to either share her story or keep it to herself. Don’t you dare force her hand, either. Her revelations should come naturally,” he finished before leaving me to stare after him.
He caught up with my mama and Maja, who were talking to my brothers.
They were all in Maja’s face like they didn’t have their own significant others.
Scowling a little, I went to meet up with them.
All the while my mind was on what the hell could’ve possibly happened in Maja’s past to have my girl so dead on the inside.
***
The Gunner family reunion opened with a prayer, then commenced into the activities.
This was a staple in my family and a time I always looked forward to.
With a family as large as mine, I tended to take this shit for granted sometimes.
Whether it was forgetting to call and check on my cousins or missing out on birthdays, weddings, and holidays, I had dropped the ball one too many times in the last few years for my liking.
I bent over, laughing at Maja beating Amaré’s ass in a game of three-point shoot around.
My girl was natural with the ball and didn’t talk any shit, unlike Amaré.
Every time Maja sank a three-pointer, Amaré playfully lost his shit.
His woman along with, Wes, his woman, and several of our older cousins stood around watching him get tore up.
This was the championship round, and the winner would receive a hand-made quilt my grandmother made.
Amaré won the last three years in a row.
He was going for a four-peat, but Maja was giving him a run for his money.
If Maja was having a good time, I wasn’t concerned about anything else.
I wanted her to be comfortable with me. So far, I couldn’t have been happier.
Even after beating Amaré and accepting her handmade quilt, I hyped my lady up.
Although it didn’t reach her eyes, the smile on her face was a good sign.
With no time, I’d have her wall buckling under my pressure.