“David. His name is David. And why would you want to meet him?”
Beverly dropped the fake smile and knitted her brow. She leaned back in her chair and stared pointedly at Tammy before saying, “Why would you ask such things? I want to meet him because he’s my grandson.”
Tammy just wasn't in the spirit of tolerance, and, to be honest, she simply didn't trust Beverly. Where had she been all those years? Why had she suddenly appeared out of nowhere? Tammy would bet a finger that she wanted something. Although she didn't know what it was that Beverly wanted, Tammy was sure that her motives would soon be revealed.
“You walked out on your own child, so why would someone else’s child matter to you?”
Beverly recoiled as if she had just been slapped. Tammy knew that her tone was ice cold, but so was her heart when it came to the mother that had abandoned her so many years ago.
“Tamara, I realize how it must have hurt when I left you and your father, but I was a complete mess back then. My addiction was out of control, and the only thing that mattered to me was how I was gonna get my next fix. I left to spare you and your father the pain that went along with loving a drug addict.”
Tammy studied Beverly as she spoke. She was almost impressed that she was able to squeeze a single tear from her eye. To Tammy, neither Beverly’s actions nor her words seemed sincere. When Beverly realized that Tammy wasn't moved by her performance, she straightened her spine and swiped the lonely tear from her cheek.
“Okay, you want to know what I want? I’ll tell you. I want in,” Beverly told her bluntly.
Tammy smiled, satisfied that she was finally getting to the meat of their sudden reunion. She leaned back in her seat and calmly asked, “You want in on what?”
“Your life. I want to be in your life. I wanna be in David’s life. And…” Beverly paused briefly before saying, “I want a place at Giovanni’s.”
Tammy chuckled. She should have known.
“After all, I am the one who taught you to sew in the first place. Other than your very life, you did get something positive from me.”
Of course, a narcissist like Beverly would try to take credit for Tammy’s success. Had it not been for Beverly, Tammy wouldn't have been able to make stripper outfits for her and her coworkers. But it was Luca that made her dream of becoming a reputable designer a possibility.
“I see,” Tammy responded. “So, you made me?”
“That’s not what I said.” Beverly quickly replied.
“Well, unbelievably, that’s what it sounds like to me. Let me ask you…where were you when I was sitting up every night for over a year, staring out of the window, waiting for you to come home? Hmm? Where were you when papa was struggling to try to raise me on his own? And since you're the creator of careers, did I get my talent for pole dancing from you too? Ohhh, now I know…while I was giving lap dances in order to feed my son, you were somewhere spinning my fucking career. Come on, Beverly…where-the-fuck-were-you?!”
Beverly cringed at Tammy’s harsh words, and she was actually surprised to see unforced tears welling in her mother’s eyes. Tammy took a few deep breaths and attempted to calm the rage that was clawing to escape. She looked away, knowing that as long as she was facing Beverly, her anger would not subside. It was then that Tammy noticed that her security detail, who was supposed to be invisible, had moved closer to the table. She also noted that several patrons had stopped eating and were staring in her direction.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Beverly said in a soft voice. “You don't owe me a damn thing. I was just thinking that the fashion could get me in the door and from there, I could work on the rest.”
Tammy took the risk of looking her mother in the eye. She was slumped down in her chair, and that one tear from earlier was no longer lonely. The tears were there. Beverly pulled a napkin from the table and dapped under her eyes.
“I fucked up, baby. I’m sorry. I know I can't go back in time. I’m just hoping that you can find it in your heart to try and forgive me. Please, just give me a chance.”
Tammy was burning with subdued emotion. She had once loved her mother with her whole heart and for the first time in a long time, she had to acknowledge just how much it had hurt when her mother left. In those days, she would have done anything for her to return, begging for another chance. But she never did.
Tammy reached for her own napkin and wiped a tear from her face. She tossed the napkin on the table as she stood and looked down at Beverly, who was still slouching in her seat.
“Bring your portfolio by Victoria’s tomorrow,” Tammy told her just before walking away.
As she exited the restaurant, something inside warned that she had just made a grave mistake.
