“Look at you.” She motioned toward my face and the stubble I’d let grow since Friday. “We gotta get you cleaned up,” she said as she took my hand and led me into my living room.
“Hey,” Auntie Mar said, taking a step into my house.
“Hi, Auntie Mar,” I said in a less-than-enthused voice.
“We have someone here to see you. You need to look better than this,” Ma said, dragging me toward my bedroom.
“Who?” I asked, feeling my stomach turn over and looking over my shoulder.
“A friend.”
“Ma…” I said. I wasn’t in the mood for her games.
She pulled me into the bedroom and closed the door. “You seemed so sad, love. I had to do something.”
I shook my head, hoping she’d stuck her nose in where I’d never wanted her to stick it before. “What did you do, Ma?”
“I had a little talk with your girl.”
“What?” I asked, both excited and shocked. “Is she here?” I took a step toward the door, but Ma blocked it.
“She is, but she can’t see you like this.”
“Oh God. I look like hell,” I said as I caught a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror.
I ripped my shirt off and ran into my bathroom. “Why didn’t you tell me she was here?” I mumbled as I brushed my teeth.
“It would’ve ruined the fun.” Her laughter carried into the bathroom.
“Now isn’t the time for jokes. She better be out there. So help me God, if you’re joking…” I said. Then I took a sip of water and spat it in the sink.
“She’s here. Aren’t you glad I’m a nosy mom now?”
I closed my eyes, hardly able to believe what I was about to say. “For once, I couldn’t be happier that you’re so far up my ass I can barely breathe.” I ran my fingers through my hair, smelled my armpits, and winced.
God, I sure as hell wasn’t fresh.
I threw some deodorant on and grabbed a shirt from the back of the bathroom door.
“Let me out there,” I told her as she still stood in front of the door.
She nodded. “We’re going to leave you two here alone. When you’re done, come back to the house for supper.”
“It’s almost four, Ma. It’s past Gallo time,” I replied as I lifted her from in front of the door and set her to the side.
“Your aunt postponed dinner until six tonight just for you and Race.”
“What?”
“We’ve had this up our sleeve all weekend, baby. Now, you go make up with Race and come back to us.”
I grabbed the door handle and glanced over my shoulder at her. “I love her, Ma.”
“I know you do. Go get her, son.”
“On it,” I called out as I walked into the living room.
Before I turned the corner, I could see her reflection in the hallway mirror.
