Page 75 of When I Thug You Like That

I gave her the short version while walking into the living room and taking a seat on my couch. By the time I was finished, she’d sucked her teeth about three times.

“You know I don’t like that damn school.”

I nodded. “We don’t either, but Chuston does, so we work around it.”

“Yeah. I know. So, what you say about the situation?”

“Why you assume I said something?” I smiled.

“Because you my child, and I know you don’t play about Taina or Chuston.”

Tucking my feet underneath me, I grabbed the book I’d been reading before she called and set it on my lap.

“True. I sat this one out though. We talked after, and I helped her figure out a plan to give the school going forward.”

“And that’s sisterhood. I love that about the two of y’all. You don’t try to mother behind her. You assess, see where you’re needed, and you stand at her side whenever she needs you.”

“That’s my girl. She definitely don’t need mothering.”

“I know. But everyone needs somebody to stand beside them. You’ve always been good at that.”

There was a small pause.

“Good at what? Standing beside people I love?”

“No, baby,” she said softly. “Loving people where they are.”

I smiled faintly. “Oh. Well, you taught me that.”

“Yes, I did. And watching you with Chuston over the years and hearing you talk about your students… Jai’ana, you’re gonna be an amazing mommy one day.”

I got quiet. I needed to prepare myself to where I knew she was going.

“Mommy.”

“Jai’ana,” she replied in the same tone, making me giggle.

“Are we about to talk about me having kids?”

“Not if you don’t want to.”

“Okay because I still haven’t found anyone I’d want to procreate with. Hell, I’m not even dating, and you know I’m still getting back into my single rhythm after Morgan.”

I told my mother everything, so she knew all about my relationship with Morgan. The good, the bad, and the breakup. She didn’t understand my brief switch to the other side but supported me anyway.

“Well, I won’t comment on Morgan, but there is a certain gentleman you told me about recently. Umm, what’s his name?”

“Jamison.” A smile tugged at my lips.

“Ain’t that the son?”

“He’s a Jr.”

“Oh, okay. Well, yeah, him. He sounds like a catch.”

My mind went somewhere it had absolutely no business going. All of a sudden, I was back at the pizza shop with Jay, sneaking his garlic knots and laughing at his storytelling.

“He is a catch. I can’t lie about that.”