"That shouldn't be a problem. Being around my mother would make anybody swear."
Kofi chuckled, his chest rumbling. "She'd probably say the same thing about you."
"Yeah, well that means we're about even." My grudging tone conveyed exactly how I felt.
Tapping me under the chin, Kofi said, "Going to visit is a good first step though."
"I’m only doing it because Garth asked me."
"It says to me that at least your mother is trying."
"She could have reached out to me herself."
"Would you have listened?"
Kofi’s reasonable tone encouraged me to be honest.
"Maybe not.”
He kissed my forehead, then chuckled. "Well, there you go."
I grumbled as I walked to the bathroom. When I stood in the doorway, I spoke over my shoulder. "Just be prepared to part a fight or something worse."
"Expect the worst and it will happen. Expect good things and they’ll materialize."
"For real?" Rolling my eyes, I asked, "That’s all you’ve got?"
He shrugged, then stretched, reminding me how powerful and perfectly streamlined his body was and how generously he used it to pleasure mine. If we didn’t have to be someplace else, I’d make love with him again. Instead, I sighed and closed the door behind me.
We were ready in forty-five minutes. In my white Capri pants and matching shirt, I looked good and my hairdo was supposed to make me feel better about myself.
Kofi whistled as I turned away from looking at myself in the mirror. His appreciation lifted my heart. I squared my shoulders and nodded. "I’m ready."
"Good girl."
Kofi let me drive. As badly as people drove on the island, sitting behind the wheel relaxed me. I didn’t have to think too hard about anything as my focus was on the road. Sunday afternoon traffic was sparse and we were at my parents’ house within fifteen minutes. I was relieved to see Garth’s van parked in the driveway.
As I switched off the ignition, Kofi tapped my shoulder.
When I looked at him, he kissed me softly. "It will be all right."
With my eyes closed, I breathed out against his lips and used the opportunity to kiss him again. "Thanks."
"You need to believe that, Gina. Even if things don’t go the way you want, remember you are not limited by what your mother thinks of you. That’s not who you are. You’re a strong woman." He smiled and tugged the hair at my nape. "That’s how I see you and that’s who you are."
"Yeah." I let my head rest on the seat until I remembered that my hair was swept into a sleek chignon, which was supposed to make me feel better.
Before we got out of the car, Kofi squeezed my shoulder and sent a reassuring smile my way. "You’ve got this."
I kinda believed I did and moving with confidence I didn’t feel, I walked into the house where I’d spent a huge portion of my life.
Daddy and Garth were in a discussion in front of the television where they stood. Both of them greeted Kofi with handshakes.
"Hey, Garth. Daddy."
I walked into my father’s arms, sighing as they closed around me.
"It’s great to see you, Gina."
