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“To be honest, like we told the kids, we aren’t getting younger. There is no need for a long dating period when you are our age. We really enjoyed each other’s company on the boat, and when we got back on land, we spent two weeks in Miami before returning home.”
“He has a child?” Aunt Gwen asks.
“Oh, yes. He and Monie work together. It was a real shocker. I mean, who would’ve guessed this world was so small.”
“Aww, she’s getting the brother you and Albert never had,” Aunt Bev pokes fun.
They all cackle, and internally I want to hurl. My facial expression clearly indicates I’m not amused.
“Oh, I see she didn’t like the joke. Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re happy, Nina. The one thing that counts. To my baby sister, Nina Richelle Hodge-Greene, soon-to-be Weathers. I hope you two find happiness to last eternal,” Beverly toasts my mother, and we join in. Afterall, her happiness is the sole thing that matters. Looking at her smile while those three carry on is worth being related to him.
“So will my uncles George and Marv be joining the festivities?” I ask, interrupting their little girls’ gathering which completely nullifies my existence.
“Yes, love. Why you ask?” Gwen answers with a question.
“They’re not here now, so I was wondering if I’d see them.”
“Oh no, dear. We wanted to come in early to spend some time with you two and check out this fella who’s marrying our sister. You know we have to give him the once-over.”
“So, have you met him yet?”
“Well, we saw him on your mother’s phone. He video called her when we got to your house. He is a devilishly handsome man. We didn’t know he had kids.”
“Kid,” I interject. “I mean. he only has one child, Lucas.”
They all look at me with raised eyebrows.
“Monie, do you not like Lucas?” my mother asks, taking my hand into hers.
Suddenly the conversation, or rather, the chewing out from earlier, replays in my mind, and I feel some type of way. If I tell her yes, we don’t get along and we were faking it on Saturday, not only will it be a lie, but it would put a kink in her happiness.
“No, Mom. We get along fine. Work is where we have conflict sometimes.”
“Good. Because even though I love Charles, I have to make sure my little princess is okay with the entire package.”
She caresses my face the way only a mother does, and although I like it, the pit of my stomach knots up when I hear that word again: princess.
“Well, isn’t this table full of beautiful women. I especially like this one here.” Charles leans in and gives my mother a kiss on the lips, in front of me.
I roll my eyes and down my drink when I see his son is also in tow. I look different than when he last saw me. I have my hair up in a bun, and I’m wearing white shorts and heeled sandals, and a navy blue, off-the-shoulder shirt with no bra.
“Good evening, everyone,” Lucas says, greeting the table. “Simone,” he adds, his tone clipped.
“Hi, Lucas. So lovely to see you this evening.” This hurts me to fake more than you know, but I must keep up appearances.
I stand to change seats, offering Mr. Weathers mine so he can sit next to my mother. Lucas takes a seat between my two aunts.
“So how was the spa?” Mr. Weathers asks.
“Oh, it was so nice. Monie went all out for us. Complete with massages, facials, mani-pedis. The whole shebang. My little girl loves to spoil her mother and aunts. Ever since she got this job, she always makes sure we have trips and time to spend with each other. I think it’s because she never had a sibling.”
“Well, now she has this handsome brother.” My aunt takes her hands and squeezes his cheeks together. “If anything, she’ll be kicking ass to keep the girls off him.”
The whole table erupts in laughter, minus the subjects being discussed.
I take in a deep breath, and as I exhale, Lucas looks at me with heat in his eyes. I go to brush my hair behind my ear and fail since it’s all pinned up. “Excuse me, for a moment.” I stand.
“Oh, look at what you did, Bev, you embarrassed Monie,” My mother says when I leave.
