I woke up to the sound of laughter and the smell of something greasy. My stomach growled, reminding me thatI hadn’t eaten since around lunch yesterday. Whatever was cooking in the kitchen, I sure hoped my name was on one of those plates.
I climbed out of bed and stretched before glancing at myself in the full-length mirror. I was wearing an oversized shirt and boxer briefs. I’d ordered some clean clothes here earlier this morning, and they arrived right before we messed around a bit in the shower and then crashed again. It was noon now, so I had been sleeping well.
After a quick change into more presentable clothes, I ran through my morning routine with the few hygiene items I’d had delivered. Once I looked and smelled good, I finally exited the room and made my way to where the laughter was drifting from.
Upon entering the living room, five pairs of eyes turned to look at me. Ginger, Emelia, and Makenzie I knew, but I wasn’t sure about the older lady, as well as the guy who looked a couple of years older than Devin. So, I did the polite thing and smiled before introducing myself.
“Hi, everyone,” I said to the elderly woman in particular. She smiled at me lovingly before motioning for me to come closer.
“Dawn, this is Raine’s mom, Ms. Patrice,” Ginger introduces as I take a seat beside her. She then motions towards the guy. “And this is her nephew, Alex. Ms. Patrice, Alex, this is Raine’s girlfriend, Dawn Anderson.”
“Holy shit!” He exclaims, his eyes wide as if he’s just seen a ghost. Raine comes running in, her apron covered with what I assume is flour.
“What’s wrong? What happened!”
“Auntie, you’re dating Dawn Anderson for real?” He asked before looking at his sister. “Kenzie, I guess you weren’t lying.”
“I TOLD YOU!” She huffed, throwing her hands up in frustration.
“You must be well-known or something, huh, sweetheart?” Ms. Patrice asks, patting me on the hand lightly. She smiles sweetly, and I can’t help but return it.
“I guess you could say that,” I reply. “I’m a singer. I just got back from two months of touring.”
“Oh, you’re the one my Rainey baby was with,” she said, her smile widening as I nodded. “She was telling me that she was doing her dream job, and I couldn’t be happier. Now to see that she also had someone as gorgeous as you looking out for her gives me some hope.”
“Mama,” she whines, but I chuckle.
“Rainey, you know I’m always worried about you being alone,” she tells her. “You spend all of your time worrying about me, which I appreciate, but I want you to live for you, too, baby. I’m happy that you’re doing what you love and meeting good people along the way.” She motions for Raine to sit on the other side of her. Once she does, she takes her hand in hers and smiles. “I love you, Raine, and even after I’m gone, I hope you continue to live a life that makes you happy.”
“Mama, don’t talk like that,” Raine replies frantically, but Ms. Patrice just chuckles.
“Oh, trust. I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I may forget a little bit here and there, but that won’t stop me from continuing to live my life as best I can,” she assures her. “My doctor says I’ve been having more good days than not, thanks to the activities I do to keep my brain stimulated, so I’m doing just fine, baby. Besides, I have to be around to see my great-grandbabies, don’t I?”
Raine immediately furrowed her eyebrows before turning her attention to her niece and nephews. They looked back with mirrored confusion. “Are one of y’all expecting a child?!” She shrieks, and both of them frantically tell her no. “Well, is Steven?” Again, they shake their heads. She turned back to hermom, and I shared a confused look with Ginger. What was going on? “Mama, what are you talking about, great-grandbabies? I’m so confused.”
“Why would you be, lovely?” she chuckles softly. “I’m talking about Raine’s future kids, baby.”
“Mama, IamRaine,” she corrects her, and I can see the saddened look on her face as she notices that her mom’s clarity was slipping right before her eyes. My chest tightened. “Please, what are you saying? I’m so confused.”
“You’re not Myra?” she asks, equally confused. Raine shakes her head, and Ms. Patrice’s face drops. A million emotions were trying to settle on her face, and I could see the moment her eyes started to get glossy. “I’m so sorry, my sweet baby. I promised to love and care for you, but I keep making things difficult.”
“Hey, uh, let’s give them a minute,” Ginger says as she ushers Emelia, Alex, and Makenzie out of the room. A few seconds later, the front door closed behind them.
“Mama…”
“Raine, you deserve the truth,” Ms. Patrice says, with a small smile. “I’m sorry for keeping this from you, but I think I should tell you while I still can.”
“You’re scaring me…”
Ms. Patrice takes Raine’s hands in hers and nods softly. “I don’t mean to, sweetheart, but you should know that I’ve always loved you since the day you came into this world and that will never change,” she says. “I may not have been the woman to birth you, but you’re still as much my daughter as Myra is.”
Raine freezes as the pieces start to fall into place. Tears fell from her eyes as she stared at her mom before she asked, “Mom, am I adopted?”
“Yes, baby,” she replied, as a few tears fell from her eyes as well.
“What…wa-wait,” Raine shook her head, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. Her face slowly turned a deep shade of red, and I recognized the anger in her eyes. “Do you know who my mom is?”
“You have to understand that I did what I thought was right,” Ms. Patrice stated, trying to calm her down. Raine shook her head, gently pulling her hands away. “She was only 17 going on 18, and she-”
