Momma Laverne leaned down, placing a gentle hand on Maria’s belly. She didn’t ask permission; she didn’t need to. She might as well be blood, as much time as we’ve spent in this diner. “There’s my favorite little nugget. You be nice to yourmomma now, you hear?” She straightened and said, “The usual I assume?” Maria and I didn’t even need menus. We almost always got the same thing. Pork steak for her, fried chicken for me. Yes freaking please! I watched Momma bustle away, ample bosom bumping into tables as she went. Like the sweetest bull in the China shop.
I glanced over at Maria and found her rubbing her belly and chewing on her lip—a habit when she was nervous or worried about something. “What’s on your mind?”
She shrugged. “The future. Worrying like I always do.”
“About what?”
“I dunno…will I be a good mom? Is choosing to not go to college a bad decision? How long will I have put up with her dang sperm donor?”
I grabbed a warm biscuit from the plate Momma had dropped off and drizzled honey on it before replying, “Ok, one. Yes. Absolutely yes. You will be a wonderful mom. Second, I can’t answer that one. Tragically, I do not have the powers to see into the future. But if it’s what you feel is best, and you’re just worrying about what everyone else will think? Fuck ’em. And lastly, my offer to kill him still stands. Diego would probably help. They would never find the body.”
She cracked a smile. “Murder is illegal, Holly.”
I licked honey from my fingers. “Only if you get caught.”
She laughed. “I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works.”
I smiled back at her. She might be my only friend in the world. But she was a good one. And I would be damned if I was going to let anyone dim that glow. I envied her a little, if I was being honest. After all she had been through, she still had a light. A kindness in her eyes. She was beautiful inside and out. Maybe one day she would rub off on me. I watched as she attacked the tray of biscuits in a way benefiting a pregnant queen. Shortly after, Momma interrupted my racing thoughts with our food.
In between bites of collards, Maria peppered me with questions.
“You’re not going to college?”
“Negative, ghostrider.”
“But you’re so smart!”
I would shrug, and she would change subject at the speed of light.
“Are you sure you don’t want a bite?”
“Pass.”
“Are you excited for prom?”
“Eh.”
“And it doesn’t bother you that Diego and I are going together?”
“Why would it?”
Every now and then, Momma would appear, refilling our drinks and showering us with tidbits of wisdom. Eventually, after an obnoxiously large piece of pie, Maria and I sat back in our seats. As happy and fat as two ticks on a one-eyed dog, as Momma would say. When I realized Maria was slowly falling asleep in the booth, I paid our ticket and helped her up. I was fixing to follow her out the door when Momma stopped me.
“Holly, honey, can I talk to you?
“Uhm…”
Maria glanced between her and I, “Go ahead, I’ll just wait in the car.”
I tossed her the keys and turned to Momma Laverne, “What’s up?”
“I just want to say you are a damn good girl, taking care of your friend like that.”
“Oh, well…”
She raised a hand, “No, don’t downplay what you do, sweetie. I just wanted you to hear it from someone. You are a good kid. You didn’t deserve what happened to you, and I’m sorry it did.If I ever get my hands on that sombitch, I’m feeding him a pieHelpstyle. That all being said, I am real glad you’re here. And whatever you decide to do with your future, I know it’ll be amazing.”
A feeling I had almost forgotten crept its way into my chest. A feeling that came from being loved and accepted. Something my own mother had made me feel when I was young. Before it all. But now, standing in this dank diner with a woman who had become family, I felt a little piece of my heart slip back into place. Fighting to keep the tears back, I did my best to wrap my arms around her. She engulfed me in a hug and squeezed gently. Sniffling, I stepped back. “Thanks Momma. I better go. Maria’s waiting.” She smiled softly at me and shooed me out the door.
