Chapter Twenty-One
Rochelle
My heart beats wildly in my chest as I take the two tiny steps up my and Momma’s front porch and turn to look at Hunter. His reassuring stare makes me nervous about what he must be thinking as I finally let down my guard and show him my world.
How could I not after the way we gave ourselves to one another last night? After everything, especially after that, he deserves to know. He deserves for me to no longer hold back.
Leading him into a place I never dreamed I’d show him, I stop when I come to stand on the landing of our porch and worry my hands in front of me, looking around at the mess me and Momma live in compared to the life he leads, I think about going back on my decision to bring him here. I know I am a fool to worry that he will change his mind about me, about us, especially after all we have been through, but I still can’t help the small voice in the back of my mind that scares me and temps me to believe he just might. Especially when everyone else in life, until him, did.
“Now, it isn’t much, but I’ve worked hard to make sure it is ours and no one can take it from us,” I whisper as we both stand just outside the door. He takes my hands in his and stills me. He rights all my wrong thoughts as I look up and meet his stare.
His worried expression confuses me, but I see something more there. Love. Love for me that can never be taken away, no matter how hard anyone or anything might try and steal it. “Like I told you before, Angel. You’re so strong for all you’ve held up on your own with no help. You’re too humble to admit it. But I see it.”
I smile, feeling myself once again believe all the things he sees in me. Rising up on my toes, I give him a tender kiss before placing my hand on the door.
“Thank you,” I whisper as he holds my free hand in his and won’t let go.
“Thank you,” he repeats, making me stop and look his way. “For finally trusting us enough to let me in completely.”
I give him a sad smile because knowing what I do now, I never should have hesitated and thought the worst of him from the beginning. That he’d leave. That he’d never want me. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze as I turn to the door leading its way into a place I am not sure he is ready to follow. I turn the knob, opening up my life with only one fear in mind now.
Momma.
The room is filled with a haze as sunlight beams in from some open blinds across the room. The smell of smoke is in the air, and I frown, still thinking that Momma quit when she didn’t. I lead him around the corner and into the living room and find Momma asleep in her chair. Just like normal. Except the place is more of a mess with me spending most of my days at school or the salon, and my nights at Hunters.
Dishes are stacked in the sink. Dirty clothes are on the floor, and I quickly let go of his hand and run to tidy up as he follows me into the space. “Momma,” I whisper, as I pass my sleeping mother and shake her shoulder gently. “Wake up, we have company.”
I glance back at Hunter and see him bow his head, giving my mother a little privacy to wake up before he glances my way and frowns. My heart sinks as I hurry to the washer and dryer located in the laundry room behind a rickety old slider door and throw the items I picked up on top of one of the units. I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves.
He didn’t mean the frown the way I took it, right? Get yourself together Rochelle. Hold onto that newfound confidence and show him everything is okay. That I believe in him. That I believe in us.
With my head held high, and mind made up, I turn and make my way back to the living room just off the kitchen. Momma is sitting up a little straighter, but looks back at me over her shoulder in a haze.
“Rochelle, why are you here? You should be in school. And who is this?” She snaps, turning her gaze on Hunter.
“My name is Hunter Alexander, Mrs. Thomas,” Hunter says as he kneels in front of her chair. “And I’m in love with your daughter.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hunter
Rochelle’s mom stares back at me as if I have grown two heads. I look up and see Rochelle standing behind her, a frantic look on her face.
“What did you say your name was?” she asks, forcing me to tear my eyes away from my Angel.
“Hunter,” I explain again. “Hunter Alexander, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Although I am sorry that we woke you. I wouldn’t have come if I knew you were sleeping, ma’am.”
She straightens up in her seat and eyes me curiously for a moment before turning to her daughter. She motions for her to come forward. I watch the exchange between mother and daughter bitterly as my heart breaks seeing the load my Angel has been forced to carry without help for so many years.
“My goodness, Rochelle,” she whispers, loud enough for me to hear. “You could have warned me company was coming. I look a mess.”
Her thick Georgian accent makes me smile as I rise up to stand.
“I can wait outside,” I say, causing the two women in front of me to startle. “How about you get yourself fixed up and I will take you and Rochelle to breakfast, my treat.” I insist. I glance up and see Rochelle staring at me with wide, frightened eyes.
“Uh, no…” she stammers. “That isn’t such a good idea. Momma here doesn’t get out, at all,” she says, taking her mother’s hand in her own and holding it on her mother’s frail shoulder. “But I can cook?” She offers, making me grow sadder knowing that this has been her existence, caring for her mother day and night, working her ass off at school and the salon, and barely making ends meet.
I look down and see her mother pat her daughter’s hand in an exchange of thanks for speaking up for her. Nodding my head a few times, I accept defeat but don’t go down without a compromise.
