“That’s awful. What in the world… in this weather?”
“Yeah,” I sighed heavily. “Her husband threw them out and cut all of her cards off. They only have three small bags with their things in them.” I shook my head.
My mom’s hand flew over her mouth. “Are you serious?”
I nodded. “Unfortunately, I am.”
“Wow.” My father shook his head. “That’s pathetic.”
“He’s a piece of shit!” my mother snapped. “I can’t even imagine what she’s going through. How old is the baby?”
“Around six or seven,” I answered.
“Wow,” she said again. “I am completely blown away by this. I truly couldn’t imagine.”
“Right, but yeah, that’s why I offered to take them to help me find a tree—to get them out of the house and take them shopping. I just don’t know where to go.”
“She’s going to be with you, Kiyan, so I’m sure she’ll let you know,” my mother said.
“I know, but she’s fought me on everything, so although she agreed to accept my help, I don’t know if she really will.”
“Well, if she doesn’t, don’t take it personal,” my father replied. “Look what she just came out of… the man she vowed to spend her life with ripped it apart completely in a matter of hours. Her home, her security, her dignity—all gone just like that,” he snapped his fingers. “The pain from that doesn’t disappear because someone kinder shows up. It does the totalopposite and makes you side eye anyone else because if you didn’t know thetrueintentions of the man you laid next to every night, then you damn sure don’t know the ones of the stranger who found you outside of his house.”
“So what? Do I just fall back?”
“Naw, son, that’s now what I’m telling you,” he answered. “I’m just saying meet her where she’s at. Be patient. Don’t rush her into trusting you and don’t force comfort. Just be easy and consistent. Show her that she’s safe, not by just saying it, but by continuing what you’ve been doing—offering her help with no pressure and no strings attached. Let her see the difference at her own pace.”
I nodded. “Aight, pop, I got you.”
“Still take that baby shopping tomorrow,” my mother chimed in. “I don’t like this at all, them being there with suitcases. Does she have toys? Did you make sure they have soaps and other things that women and girls need.”
“Naw, ma, that’s why I called you,” I admitted. “Mel brought her a doll and some other small things, and she has her own iPad.”
“Mm-mm,” she shook her head. “Nope, mm-mm. Give me my computer, Keith.”
“Mama…” I sighed. Without her even saying it, I already knew what she was doing.
“I’m coming, Kiyan.”
“You don’t have to do that, Ma.”
“I know I don’t have to, but you need me so I’m coming.”
That was the thing that I loved and admired most about my mother; she always knew when one of us needed her without us having to say a word.
“I don’t want to overwhelm them,” I admitted. “Her daughter is special needs, and she said it takes time for her to adjust to new settings.”
“Oh, bless her little heart,” my mom gushed. “Even more of a reason for me to come down. All of you need some extra loving this holiday season.”
“Trina, wait,” my dad tried slowing her down, but she wasn’t having it.
“Are you flying in early with me or will you just come down with Kayla and Khalil?”
He sighed. “You know I’m not letting you fly alone. Kayla has Irving and the kids,” he said referring to my brother-in-law and their two sons. “Khalil can come when they do.”
“Alright but tell him not to sneak that hussy on the plane with him,” she pointed. “She needs to spend the holidays with her own dern family.”
“Okay, I’ll let him know.” I joined my father when he laughed.
