My mom stepped in holding something so unexpected it stole the breath from my lungs.
A bouquet of pale blue flowers, ones I’d never seen before was in her hands.
“This delivery just came for you.” She said quietly walking up to me.
I reached out and brushed the delicate petals. They smelled faintly sweet and looked rare. These were the kind of flowers that took time to discover. Bleu put good thought into choosing them.
“Your father looked them up.” My mom studied my face carefully. “Each flower means loyal commitment…and protection.” She placed them in my arms.
I felt weak in the knees soon as the words left her mouth. I turned to place them on my dresser and made a mental note to vase them in water before leaving.
“A man bringing a woman Forget-Me-Not flowers is something different. Men usually bring roses as a small kind gesture. Simply because it’s the right thing to do when dating a woman.” My mom spoke evenly with no emotion in her voice.
I took a seat on my pink chaise, I braced myself for her judgment, a lecture or even disappointment for whatever reason.
Quietly, she lowered herself onto the edge of my bed. She looked up at me with eyes I wasn’t used to seeing. Soft, vulnerable, and…proud?
“Truly, you look like you finally remember who you are.” She said with no sarcasm.
Her words hit me fast and hard.
“You look so beautiful. This Bleu guy better treat you right tonight.” She smiled.
My throat tightened, and before I knew it my eyes welled up with tears. I hadn’t heard my mom call me beautiful since my high school prom. It seemed like she spent most of her time with me getting on my case. For the longest, me and my mom’s relationship was strained. I only got to see her loving hard on Lolani. I missed simply hearing her tell me she loved me and I desperately wanted to hear the words…I’m proud of you.
I tried to sniffle back my emotions. A single tear escaped before I could stop it. Sensing my emotional overload, she stood and walked over. First, she softly adjusted the straps on my dress like she used to do before my school dances.
“I know I’m hard on you,” she confessed looking into my eyes. “Maybe too hard. I just want you to have a life where you don’t settle. I want you happy, thriving as the beautiful woman you are. I damn sure don’t want you with Aubry’s ass. I want you with someone who treats you and my grand baby like y’all are both worth the world.”
She leaned down and embraced me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her back and sobbed softly. I wanted that too; I wanted so much more in my life. Stability, peace, and happiness but often times I felt lost.
“Relax baby, I want you to have a good time tonight. You can save the nasty details for Naveah and just tell me about the romance when you get back.” She giggled.
Surprised at her words, she rubbed circles into my lower back. I laughed through my tears and smiled up at her.
“What?” She cocked her head to the side. “I know all about that man popping up over here while Aubry was here. Damn near gave your dad a heart attack when that man professed how he liked you and planned on marrying you in the future.” My mom placed her hands on her hips.
My eyes widened out of shock. I wasn’t surprised about Bleu mentioning the marriage part that we talked about again over the phone. It was my mom mentioning that Bleu mentioned it to my dad as well. Bleu was bold and unapologetically himself. Most men wouldn’t dare enter a man’s home and have that particular conversation in the beginning stages of dating someone.
“That man is smooth, fine, and paid! Just make sure you protect yourself like I always tell you girls.” She stated seriously.
“I will, ma…thank you.” I smiled, wiping at my tears.
“Always baby. I’ll let you know when he knocks at the door. This another little test of mine too.” She winked.
“What test?” I asked nervously.
“Baby if that man blows the horn for you, you will not be going out with him. A real man walks his ass to the front door to see you to his car properly.” She tooted her chin up with pride.
“Okay got it.” I smiled.
She left the door cracked behind her. I sighed, relieved, happy that she and I had that moment together.
I stood and went to get a vase to place my Forget-Me-Not flowers inside, then went into the bathroom to fix my makeup. Although I got to know and feel Bleu raw. I was still nervous as hell going out on an official date with him. Just thinking about the way hetouched me, looked at me, and fucked me had me nervous about how the night would end.
Fifteen
BLEU
