Tiffany
“I can’t believe you waited until today to get the flu,” I whine through the phone.
Mira’s chuckle turns into a wet cough. “Actually, I caught the flu two days ago. I’m sick. And trust me, I’d much rather go to your awards ceremony than be stuck at home being forced fed Quentin’s mom’s homemade chicken soup.”
Tonight was the night of the AAIDE ceremony. After all the stuff that came with this night, my husband not wanting to come, Ezra buying me a dress, and then not finding one until the last minute, none of it compares to the fact that now I’ll be going to one of the biggest events of my life alone.
“I don’t want to go by myself.” I flop down on my bed.
“Isn’t Evelyn there? I’m sure she’d love a reason to get dressed and flaunt around.”
I’d rather go to the event naked than take Evelyn. Don’t get me wrong; my mother has been a lot more tolerable lately. She’s been giving me marriage tips and pointers. Yes, I see the irony in that. The woman who has been married over five times is trying to tell me how to keep a husband. Not to mention that most of her tips are just her nitpicking at me.
For instance, she told me I walk around in a bonnet too much. Ms. Rose had my back with that one and told my mother thatNico knows he married a black woman, I didn’t have to hide my being black from him.
My mother then told me I spend too much time with Noah and not enough with my husband. Granted, she does not know Nico and I are going through rough times. The woman has all the advice in the world on how to keep a husband but has yet to maintain a happy marriage. She is doing her best to bond with me. But that doesn’t mean I want to hang out with her tonight.
Mira sneezes on the other end of the phone, and I’m so happy germs can’t travel through telephone connections.
“You need to get some rest. I’ll let you know how the night goes.”
“Everything is going to be fine. You’re going to win, and if you don’t, it doesn’t matter because you don’t need an award to tell you how well you did on that hotel.”
For the first time since I started to get ready for tonight, I smile. Despite all that’s going on, I still can’t believe I’m being nominated for an Aurelia award. This is insane to me.
“Thank you. Now, get some rest. Love you, girl.”
“Love you too.”
I hang up the phone and climb up from the bed. Going over to the floor-length mirror, I admire myself in the black dress. The stylist was right; this dress is stunning on me. It hugs my body like liquid, sculpted to fit me perfectly. One shoulder is bare, while the other side sweeps upward to clasp high at my throat before cascading down into a dramatic one-shoulder cape. The bodice clung to my frame, accentuating every curve before spilling onto the floor in a slight train.
The designer of the dress was not well known nor were her dresses gracing the frames of celebrities. No, this was done by a local woman that is just trying to get her name out there. I felt honored to wear this gown.
My natural hair was braided down, and a short wavy lace front bob was styled to perfection on my head. My makeup was light as always. I never did too much with my makeup. The gold accessories added to the beauty of the dress.
“You look stunning,” Ms. Rose says from behind me.
I spin away from the mirror to look at her. Noah is in her arms, clapping.
“You think Mama looks pretty, Noah?” I cross the room to him.
“Dadadada,” he babbles.
Of course his first word would be daddy. Nine months of pregnancy and seven hours of labor and the first thing out of his mouth is his father’s name. I take him out of Ms. Rose’s hands and place kisses all over his face. He squeals with excitement.
“Why would you hold him before going to a black-tie event?” My mother’s voice has me and Ms. Rose turning toward her.
She’s looking at me with her nose turned up.
“He’s my baby, Evelyn.”
She waves me off with a roll of her eyes. “Why are you wearing that dress? Why aren’t you wearing the Samoht that Nico bought you?”
I don’t care to explain to her that Nico didn’t buy the dress. It wasn’t any of her business.
“I didn’t want to wear it.”
Evelyn looks as if I just told her I eat horse shit.
