Page 43 of Meet Me at the Altar

“Hey, Mama,” I greeted after she answered on the fourth ring. “You busy?”

“Hey, baby. No, not really. I was just cleaning my collards.”

“Oh, you’re about to throw down, huh?”

She chuckled.“Just preparing my Sunday dinner now so that when I get home from church tomorrow, all I have to do is warm it up and eat. You know how I do.”

“Yeah. I do.”

“You and Kalli should drop by tomorrow and pick up a plate.”

I rolled my eyes and sucked my teeth. This was her peace offering, but she knew I wasn’t doing shit unless that nigga extended an olive branch first, and I knew that wasn’t aboutto happen. It would be a cold day in hell before Leon Porter admitted that he was on some bullshit.

“Nah, we’re good on that. I just wanted to check on you and see how you were doing.”

“I’m doing as good as can be expected, especially knowing that my child is in town, and I’ve only seen him once.”

I sighed and dragged my hand over my head. “Mama, you and me both know that it’s best that I keep my distance. If I come over there and your husband disrespect me or my father one more time, I’ll be saying my vows from behind bars.”

“I wish the two of you wouldn’t act this way.”

“Come on, Ma. Don’t throw me in that. I did everything possible to keep my temper around that nigga.”

“Drè, he still raised you, and you owe him respect.”

“I don’t owe him anything, and he didn’t raise me. You and my dad raised me. By the time he came around, I was almost grown. He doesn’t get respect until he learns how to give it.”

She sighed softly, and I immediately felt bad.“I’m sorry that you feel that way, Son, especially with your wedding coming up. How is that coming along?”

“It’s right around the corner. You know that. Everything is going perfectly fine, but I meant what I said, Ma; if he can’t respect me, he’s got no place in my life.”

“I respect how you feel. I just wish that you would try a little harder.”

“I’ve tried for sixteen years. If my best ain’t good enough, then I’m not good enough. Are you coming to the wedding or not?”

“Why do you have to make it sound like that? Like a demand?”

“Because I’ve been asking for a while, and you haven’t answered. We need to finalize our guest list.”

“I just needed more time to convince him?—”

“Damn, Ma. It’s not about him!” I breathed out and pinched my brow. “My bad. I shouldn’t be shouting at you.”

“You’re damn right about that.”

“It’s just that, this is Kalli’s and my day, and your presence shouldn’t be contingent on whether he’s there or not.”

“You’re right. You’re my only child, and I love you, Drè. I will try to be there. I love you.”

“Thank you, and I love you too. I have to go now. My furniture delivery drivers just arrived,” I lied.

I ended the call and stared up at the sky. Before I walked back into that house with my woman, I needed to gather my emotions. She had no idea how this shit was crippling me, and if I had anything to do with it, she never would.

Chapter 16

Kalliope

TWO DAYS LATER