“That means we started dating too then because didn’t I come in to save you that night, too?”
“Zoo, now I know yo’ mama told you that it’s better to be seen and not heard sometimes. Let my son be the hero in this story. Please bring the lady you just yelled out for over here so I can make sure she’s mentally ok to be with you. Yo’ ass gon’ run somebody crazy.”
“Auntie that woman loves everything about me. In fact, that’s probably what she loves the most.”
Mrs. Smith shook her head, along with all the rest of us. Brooklyn pushed Zoo out of the way, then stepped beside me, slinging his arm around my shoulders.
“You’ll meet her again when it’s less people around. This is one right here”—he nodded towards Mimi—“is Sin’s girl, Naomi, and of course you already heard Zoo yell to the other side of the yard for PJ who’s walking up now, she’s Naomi’s sister. They are all best friends.”
“Now isn’t that cute. I’ve always wanted to attend a triple wedding.”
“Who knows. I’m definitely not against it if we all made it to the stage together. I love, love so I’m all for sharing that day with my sisters,” I replied, making a smile grow wider until it reached her eyes. Brooklyn’s grin was similar to his mother's.
“I’m glad you feel that way. I won’t be around here long so make that day come before my day come.”
When those words left her lips, we all fell silent, and Brooklyn walked away. I wanted to go after him, but Zoo beat me to it.
“I’m sorry, ladies. I didn’t mean to ruin the mood. I believe in being honest and not beating around the bush and what I stated is all facts. I’ll let him have his moment, but he will have to face me and the truth, whether he likes it or not. I know like hell I don’t, but I know I’ll be in good hands, and I’ll be leaving my baby boy in good hands too.”
“You seem like a fine young lady, and I can tell by the look in your eyes that you care for my baby. When he walked off hurt, I saw your heart skip a beat trying to catch up with him. You’ve glanced at him a dozen times since he walked away, wanting badly to make sure he’s ok. That’s the type of woman I need my son to be with. One that will never allow him to stay upset. If he’s down, pick him up because there’s no doubt in my mind that he won’t do the same for you.”
“Brooklyn is hard on the outside, but on the inside, he’s fragile when it comes to his family. At sixteen, he was talking about the qualities he would look for in a wife. Surprisingly, he described me. My son loves me beyond death, and I know whatever happens with me, he’ll be crushed, so I need all of you to be there for him. It won’t be easy. He may even push you away, but don’t give up on my baby.”
At this point, Mimi, PJ, and I were standing there in tears. Brooklyn kept looking over at me and I tried so hard to stop thetears from flowing but the more she talked the more I cried. You could hear in her voice—she was tired. That’s what made this conversation so hard to listen to.
“You know, cancer has a mean way of taking you out of here when you least expect it. Like a car accident. You try so desperately to stop it from happening because you see the cars getting ready to collide but some things you just have no control over. I’ve fought hard and Lord knows I’m tired, y’all. But I keep fighting for my kids, and my husband. Life ain’t always fair and you have to live with whatever story that was written for you. Ain’t no rewrites. So, whatever you guys have going on in your life, from your career to your love life, give it all you got. If you feel a certain way, express it. If you want more from them, tell them. And if at some point it’s not enough, know when to let go.”
“Sometimes we can picture ourselves with people but then we see that they aren’t equally yoked, and that’s ok. Life is too short to waste it. Don’t stay for the history, don’t stay for a child, don’t stay for anything other than you know you in heart that this person is your person. That God took his time and designed this man specifically for you. You’ll know. You will never have to question what’s meant for you. If you are dealing with the Smith men, you have to be strong women. They aren’t the type to cheat, so you’ll never have to worry about that. Once they are all in, they are all in. Ain’t nothing or no one coming between them and their women, and I can vouch for all of them. You’ll meet them one day. And lawd they all fine too,” Mrs. Smith joked, making them laugh and my goofy ass snort.
“Oh, you snort when you laugh.” She gave me a look that I couldn’t quite read. “Yea, my son is going to love you. He loves a woman that can match his energy. When he’s not worried about me, he’s really fun to be around.”
“He really is,” I agreed.
Mrs. Smith started to yawn. “I love y’all, and I know I don’t know you ladies but my Grandma Ida would say she loves you regardless of who you are. Now say it back so I can go sit down. I’ve run my mouth long enough and ran my son off in the process.”
“We love you back, Mrs. Smith,” we said in unison, wiping the rest of our tears away.
CHAPTER 15
NAOMI
Sin had been acting strange all damn day. Normally, he catered to me with a snarky response. Today, however, he was “yes dear-ing” me and that shit had me weirded out. At one point, I asked him what the deal was.
“What you mean, baby? I’m takin’ care of my woman by any means necessary.”
I rolled my eyes at him and laid back on my mound of pillows. Whatever he had going on had better not been anything foolish.
My phone rang, interrupting me flipping through the channels. Being in this bed so often had me bored as hell and lowkey gaining weight quicker than I would’ve liked to. I didn’t mind the weight though. As long as my baby was growing healthy, I’d be a house around here.
Just being as far along as I was caused my heart to swell with happiness. Every time I wanted to be happy, I’d get scared. Lately, though, I’d find myself smiling and feeling giddy. I had a doctor’s appointment in a few days, and I was on pins and needles to know if my baby was growing accordingly.
With this pregnancy, everything just felt right. I wasn’t sure what made me feel that way. Maybe it was the comfort of the man whose heart I held. Sin made this journey so uncomplicated.
“Hey, Mama.”
“Hey, Beautiful!” she sang. “How are you feeling?”
“Perfect. I’ve been feeling the baby move, so…” I fanned my eyes to keep me from crying.
