Visitor? Who? They all know Xai and he never asks for me up front. I usually meet him outside. Besides, he’s an hour early.
Me: Who is it?
Kera: Her name is Erleen and she’s causing a scene
Because I know Rush’s mother too-damn-well, I practically jump up and run to the front. I can hear her loud, rude, rough voice before I walk out of the back.
“Tell her to come out now,” she demands, the effects of a pack a day habit for almost forty years evident in her tone.
After rushing toward her and getting in her face, I grit, “I’m here but I’ll only talk to you outside.”
Before she can rasp another word, I walk out of the clinic and down the sidewalk. She’s caused enough of a scene; I don’t want our inevitably volatile conversation to be overheard by my coworkers or the patients in the lobby. When I turn back, I see her stomping toward me. Her heavy breathing doesn’t stop her mouth because as soon as she’s in arm’s reach, she fires off.
“What’s wrong with you, girl?” she asks. Normally, I have nothing but respect for my elders but Erleen lost that from me a long ass time ago. “First off, I’m a grown ass woman, and second of all, what’s wrong with you, coming to my job and making a scene? You have crossed the line,” I fire back.
“No, you have. I don’t know what’s gotten into yo’ little uppity ass. After all my Rushmore did for you, you?—”
“All Rushmore did?” I scoff and huff, on the verge of real laughter becausewhat!“Please enlighten me. Give me one fucking thing that your selfish, lazy, and trifling ass son did for me. Just one. Please! I’ll wait.”
The look on her face is venomous. My words struck a nerve, as they should. She knows her son ain’t shit. Hell, she raised two ain’t shit sons. I’m not saying anything she hasn’t already heard or witnessed. She’s just furious because I’m right.
“He gave you that money!” she huffs.
“What money? Not that little two thousand dollars? You do know that was five years ago, right? Two thousand dollars, five years ago, that he already owed me for rent, food, and um, his daughters. You act like he left me a million fucking dollars. I’ve given that back to his stupid ass and then some. Who do you think put money on his phone account to call you? It wasn’t you. It damn sure wasn’t your other son,” I say and she rolls her eyes. “Right, it was me but I’m done. Your son won’t get another penny from me so you, your son, and your nieces and nephews can leave me the hell alone.”
“And what is he supposed to eat?” she says, as if she just didn’t hear anything that I said.
“Shit, for all I care,” I honestly say.
“You little bitch,” she says, practically yelling.
“I’ll be that. Proudly.” I smirk. “And one more thing, if you come to my job again, I’ll call the police,” I warn, then walk around her and back into the clinic.
As soon as I’m back through the door between the lobby and the back, Kera reads my face and stands. She steps toward me.
In a low tone, she asks, “You okay?”
“Yeah. I will be. I’m going to take my lunch a few minutes early. I need a break,” I tell her before journeying back to the office space.
After grabbing my keys, cell, and water tumbler, I let Levy know I’m taking lunch a little early then walk to my car. As soon as I’m inside, I call Xai.
“What’s up, pretty girl?” he answers.
“Hey,” I respond.
“Ay. What’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you when you get here. I’m already in my car.”
“You sure? I don’t like how you sound,” he says with so much concern.
“I’m okay. Just annoyed. I’ll be better when I see you.”
“Bet. I’m almost there. My arms will be around you in ten,” he says and I immediately feel a little better.
“I can’t wait.”
I end the call then recline my seat back a little to relax and try to push Rush’s mother and her antics out of my mind. It works because my eyes close and I feel the tension in my shoulders subside. I’m interrupted a few minutes later by light taps on the window. It’s Xai, so I unlock the door.
