And yes, that was Darius’s mom.Sweet.Quiet.Loving.Madegreat cookies.And she collected antique doilies.
“It isn’t about winning, sweetheart.I can tell this isimportant to you, and I’d roll over for you in just about anything, if itwasn’t important to me too.Who said the woman’s place was in the home?Theestablishment.Who said a Black man couldn’t fall in love with a white woman,or vice versa?The establishment.Who said gay people were unnatural?Theestablishment.Who said dealing drugs was worse than rape so the sentences forthose offenses are longer?The establishment.Fuck that.And fuck them for tellingme, or my son, or you, or anyone they can’t say fuck.”
That was a great speech.
And the best part about it?
“You’d roll over for me in just about anything?”I asked.
Darius was silent for a beat, then he busted out laughing.
I enjoyed it then I turned to look at my boy in the back.“Just temper it, okay?And please, be careful with your mouth around both yourgrandmothers.”I shot him a jaunty smile.“They’re not as cool as your mom.”
I saw the white flash of his teeth in his handsome facebefore he said, “’Kay, Mom.”
Darius reached out a hand to me.
I took it.
And the rest of the way to his mom’s, we held hands.
I was surprised to find she didn’t live in the same house,at the same time unsurprised.
Mister Morris was all over their old house.He’d put in thelandscaping.He’d sacrificed his garage by making it into a rec room for hiskids.He’d built the back deck.
There were some who would find those constant reminders of alost loved one abalm.
And some would find them torture.
I was glad she’d moved, because I’d loved Mister Morris, andI would find them torture.
Obviously, Miss Dorothea did too.
There were two spiffy cars parked at the curb in front ofher house when we pulled into the drive, and I reckoned Danni and Gabby’sinterior design business was going well.They had talent, that was clear.
I’d also learned, after we’d moved our carloads of stuff toDarius’s that day, and Liam was relaxing with a video game, and Darius and Iwere upstairs, cuddling after an afternoon quickie, that he’d put them throughschool and put up the money for them to start their business.
I also wondered if he’d given them the money for thosespiffy cars.
For sure he bought Dorothea her house (something else hetold me), which was a tidy bungalow in Washington Park, one of the most covetedneighborhoods in Denver, so it had to cost a fortune.
The front door opened before we were fully out of the truck,and Miss Dorothea was standing in it.
While her sister, Shirleen, was a tall, curvy, proud Blackwoman with a gorgeous, full Afro, tawny eyes and mocha skin, Dorothea was aless tall, but still curvy, bundle of femininity with a becoming hairstyle offlips and curls and subdued makeup.And I didn’t think I’d ever seen her inanything but a stylish dress and heels, flats or classy sandals.Some were morecasual than others, but she always turned herself out in subtle, impeccableways.
And now was no exception.
Liam forged ahead swiftly, and I knew why when her armsopened up before he got there.They closed around him, and she swung him sideto side, saying, “My boy.My boy.”
“Hey, Grams,” he greeted.
She let him go and he stepped inside.Darius pushed meforward, and I, too, walked into her open arms.
“Malia, the first time of many to have you back home,” shewhispered in my ear.“A celebration.”
I relaxed into her even as I hugged her back.
We let go and she gave the same treatment to Darius, hereyes closing, love washing through her face, and I wondered if she noticed inhim the things Mister Morris had left behind like I did.
