Mom wore a smug expression I knew well. One that said she was right and I was wrong. I'd seen it too many times over the past few years. Instead of apologizing, I crammed my mouth full of fried rice.
Kofi watched me, a half smile sitting on his mouth. He didn't know our history, so he had no right to sit there smirking as if he understood what was at play between my mother and me. Although I was giving him some attitude, his expression didn't change. If anything, he was more amused. Leaning closer, he murmured, "You're spoiling a perfectly good dinner."
I looked at him, speechless. How he could act as if he didn't know my mother was doing everything to slight him, I had no clue. While I chewed I rolled that around in my head. The longer I thought, the worse I felt.
Kofi was right. He knew what was happening and still chose to be respectful. Such an exceptional man. I could hear him saying I was so much better than I was acting right now. Still, I didn't plan to apologize to my mother. She owed me.
I kept quiet for the rest of our meal and gorged myself on almond biscuits, pineapple tarts and ice cream when it was time for dessert. I offered Kofi some of what I was having, but the only concession he made was to taste a biscuit before continuing his discussion with Garth about physical fitness and sporting injuries.
As I listened to him talking it was clear he knew his stuff, but until now I hadn't realized the depth of his knowledge in his chosen field. I looked away from him, meeting my mother's eyes. She wore a strange expression, something between dislike and grudging respect. As if she hated the sound of his voice, but couldn't deny he knew his subject.
She motioned to Anna-Lise and me to help her clear the table.
The men took that as a cue to go back to the living room.
Cleaning up fell to Anna-Lise and me. While Anna-Lise raved about the curried beef, I was conscious of Mom moving around behind us.
"So, are you taking Kofi to the North Coast before you leave?" Anna-Lise asked.
"I hadn't thought about it, but it sounds like a good plan."
"Maybe we could all go. Somewhere like Dunn's River Falls, and spend the day." Her eyes lit up as something else popped into her head. "We could rent a villa and overnight."
"That sounds good. I'm sure Kofi would like that."
"Remember we still have things to do for the wedding," Mom said, wearing a sour face.
"It's just one day, Aunt Rose, and before you know it, Gina and Kofi will be gone."
Mom looked directly at me. "Which is why you should be spending time with your family."
"I was going to stay here until you opened your mouth and changed my mind."
"Andhedidn't do enough to ensure that you showed us the proper respect. Instead, you're off with him somewhere, when you should—"
"Should be what? Over here with you nagging me to death?"
"You never listen to me anyway."
"Gina—" Anna-Lise gripped my shoulder and tried turning me away. "Go and talk with the men. I'll—"
I stood my ground as I sneered. "The last time I listened to you, my life went down the drain."
Mom shook her head. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about."
."Right, you don't have a clue." I let that sink in. "Period."
"And I suppose because you've brought home a man, you suddenly know everything."
Anna-Lise tightened her grip on me. She probably thought I'd lose it. Instead, I breathed in hard and grabbed hold of myself. Arguing with Mom like this was pointless and we both knew it.
"You know what, Mom? I'm wrong and you're right."
I spun away and marched to the living room to drop on the sofa at Kofi's side. Apart from taking my hand and looking directly at me for a few seconds, he didn't act as if he believed anything was wrong.
When Anna-Lise took a seat next to Garth, she tipped one brow. I smiled in response, letting her know I was okay. The concern in her eyes touched me and I was thankful she'd be officially part of the family. Aside from liking her as a person, I needed the spotlight taken off my life.
With her obsessive need for grandchildren, Mom would possibly forget about me, if only for a time. Right now, I needed Garth and Anna-Lise to hurry up and get married.
