I smiled. “Hey, can I help that I’m a firm believer that there’s always another side to a story or a good reason why people do what they do, even when it’s wrong.”
“Well, those genes are strong. Between her looks and personality, she is you all over again.” She added as she picked up her purse, “Have you heard from Mara?”
I shook my head. “I called her this morning and texted her a little while ago.”
“Well, at least she calls Jussica. I know when a woman is hurting because of a man.” She narrowed her eyes. “Who are you seeing now that you can’t give Mara a chance?”
Pushing down my guilt feelings that maybe I rejected Mara too harshly, I argued, “Mama, you don’t even know Mara. Just because she’s the mother of my child doesn’t mean we should be together.”
She sucked her teeth. “I also know my son. Commitment scares you. You're probably involved with someone who doesn’t have the expectations Mara naturally has.”
“That’s not true. The woman I’m with expects marriage and a family.” I smiled and headed for the door.
“Oh, so now you want to be married?” Mama looked at me skeptically. We were as close as any mother and son could be, and though she didn’t know every detail of my life, she knew enough of what I felt and believed about having a wife and children.
I tugged on my beard. “Soraya is the only woman I’ve ever been with that makes me pause…makes me rethink sharing my life.”
“Then why is this the first time I’m hearing about her?”
I glanced over my shoulder, “I told you about her Mama. She’s my neighbor.”
Her forehead dipped and rose. “Oh, you finally got her to go out with you?”
“Yeah, we’re new, but she’s different.” I touched the doorknob.
Mama walked closer to me. “That’s a lot of change in a short period of time. Jussica and a new woman, a woman who isn’t going to tolerate your mess if she took all this time to go out with you. And I can’t be here to help as much as I would like. You were lucky I was in a position to come home and help this week. It’s too soon to introduce Jussica to a woman that’s not Mara, and it’s too early in the relationship to keep this woman on hold while you figure this parenthood stuff out.”
Though I could feel the truth in her words, I stubbornly resisted, “It’s going to work. Single parents have relationships, and sometimes love becomes a blended family.”
“Your situation is different, son.”
My cell rang, and a smiling pic of Jussica flashed. “Hey, little one, I’m home and on my way to get you. Are you sneaking your cell phone again?”
“Daddy,” she sniffed. “Mommy said she’s going out of town for a while and that I’m staying with you.”
Blood drained from my face, and I sagged against the door. “Did she tell you where?”
“No, she just told me to be good, and she’ll bring me back something special.” Her voice cracked. “Is she coming back?”
My heart squeezed painfully. “Of course, she is. She has to work on a few things, and then she’ll come back. In the meantime, we’ll have fun. I’m here, little one, I’m here.”
“Can you come now? The last time you picked me up, I was the last child here.” She reminded me. “Nana is never late.”
“Yes. On my way. I’m bringing your nana. Now get off the phone before the teacher takes it from you.” I don’t know if my mother had plans, but she would’ve jumped in the car while I was driving if I tried to tell her to stay.
Her voice lowered, “She doesn’t care. She’s on her phone too.”
Great. An inattentive second-grade teacher?
“Please, Daddy. Can I stay on the phone until you get here?”
“Okay.” I muted the phone. “I need you to text Mara for me. She’s not going to answer me.”
“What’s going on? Everything okay?” Mama dug for her cell in her bag.
“Mara apparently is up and leaving Jussica with me. Told Jussica she’s going away and upset her.”
Mama hissed, “What kind of mother does that?”
