My eyes narrow. “Areyou?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you happy about it? About becoming a grandmother?”
“My first grandchild? Of course I am.”
“You don’t show excitement, do you? So it’s not even just Ace. You’re like that with everybody?”
Her face falls even further, if that’s possible. “I’m…reserved, I guess.”
“Fair enough, but you should know, it’s killing your son.”
She rolls her eyes. “Can we not do the hyperbole? My son is just fine.”
“Your son is a mama’s boy without the mama, Angela. And listen, I’m not super affectionate either. I’m definitely not chipper. So I’m not judging you. I’m telling you that you being yourself and staying in your stubborn ways has made your son miserable.”
“He told you that?”
“He didn’t have to. I saw it with my own eyes. The first time I met you. Remember the barbecue?”
“Vaguely.”
“Well, that makes sense. You were probably drunk.”
“Watch your tone, Raya.”
“Sorry. But the man walked in and told y’all he got a promotion, and you acted like he told you he went to get the mail.”
She sits back in her chair, staring out the window at the cars driving by like she's in another world. “My family…we weren’t super demonstrative people. And my daddy wasn’t generous with the encouragement. We didn’t have participation trophies,” she spits. “We accomplished things because you weresupposedto. We didn’t expect praise for doing what we were supposed to do.”
“Maybe you should have.”
She looks at me. “Did you get that fromyourparents?”
“No, but I didn’t need it. I needed…other things.” I trail off, staring down at the menu, not seeing the words. “But we’re not talking about me right now.”
“So all this time, he’s been deprived of my love, and he never said a word?”
“He probably didn’t know how to ask. So now I’m stuck dealing with his mommy issues.”
“Stuck?”
“Bad choice of words. I’m never leaving that man, ever. I’m just saying, it affected him. Maybe just take that into account and do better. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
She scoffs. “I didn’t realize I was coming here for a lecture.”
“I’m done. Take it or leave it.”
She nods. “Well, I assure you, I’m thrilled about the baby news. Even if I’m not showing it outwardly.”
Something about her making an attempt makes me smile, especially because she’s so bad at it.
“Is Ace excited?”
“Ace is ecstatic. But he’s also kinda toned down. I think because of…you know. His past."
“Oh. Yes. I understand.”
