“Well handled, mama.” Alijah connects our hands, and then we follow the man to wherever Mom is in this huge hospital.
The more steps we take to the bank of elevators, my mind returns to the serious nature of my being here. I bite the inside of my bottom lip as I wipe my free hand on my pants. Thankfully, I didn’t know what Alijah’s plans were for me today, so I dressed in jeans, a shirt, and some tennis shoes. Time flies, and before I realize it, I’m outside a room with the door closed. The initials on the side panel cause my heart to race.R. Edmonds.This is real. Mom is in the hospital.
I stand unmoving in front of the door, trying to will myself to be okay and open it. Alijah steps up and rubs my backsoothingly, and for a second, all I can do is take slow breaths while I fight the urge to sob.
“I’m right here with you. You can do this, mama. You’re not alone,” he whispers.
It’s the encouragement and motivation I need as I push the lever down on the handle and slowly enter the room. The machine’s light beeps speed up my heartbeat as I move at a turtle’s pace toward the drawn curtain. With lead and weights on my feet, I walk around the curtain, and tears instantly form and fall down my face. Mom sleeps seemingly peacefully, but there’s a cast on her left arm, her left leg is elevated with a cast on it, and there are bruises on her face.
“M-M-Mom.” My voice is shaky as I try to gain control over my emotions and the tears streaming down my face.
My eyes shift to the machine where Mom’s vitals are, and while I have no idea what any of it means, I stare blankly at the numbers on the display. Mom's light grunts draw my focus back to her.
“Mom.” I cry.
Mom’s eyes flutter and slowly open as they land on me. “Dee.” Mom’s voice is low and hoarse, which increases my emotions.
I swiftly make my way to her, throw myself into her right side, and cry loudly. My emotions are all over the place, and although she will be okay, the buildup and unknown along with her apparent injuries have me feeling a lot right now.
“I’m OK, Dee baby. I told your hardheaded brother not to call you,” Mom says as she tries to rub my head with her good hand.
“H-he didn’t,” I say without moving my head from her bosom.
“Oh. Who called worrying you, and who’s your friend?”
The latter question forces me to lift my head as I peer up at her, but her gaze is on Alijah. For a second, I forgot he washere with me, because I became consumed with the scene the moment I got on the other side of the curtain blocking Mom from everyone’s entrance in the room. Oh shit! It just got real.God, please don’t let her show out in here. I lean up and wave Alijah forward with a weak smile.
“Mom, I want you to meet Alijah. Uh, Alijah, this is my mom, Roslyn,” I say as I introduce the two.
“I hate to meet you on these terms, Ms. Roslyn,” Alijah says.
“Looks like you didn’t heed my advice to find some pussy to play in,” Mom says.
A pin drop can be heard in the room as my brain short-circuits from Mom’s statement. Her tone lacks feeling, so I’m unable to tell if she’s being serious. But then a weak and raspy laugh from Mom’s mouth hits the side of my face.
“You’ve gotta lighten up, Dee,” Mom says before she shifts her attention to Alijah. “I hate this is our first meeting as well, young man. I’m assuming you hold some significance to my baby, or you wouldn’t be here.”
Alijah opens his mouth to respond, but I beat him to the punch because this is a stance that I have to make for myself.
“He does. I’m in love with him. He’s the reason for my smile each day. He’s the man I see when I dream every night. He’s the forever I didn’t think I’d ever get to have.”
“Well damn. You better talk that shit, mama,” Alijah says before Mom can reply, and my chest expands with merriment.
“Right. You better let me know then, Dee,” Mom adds.
With my eyes on Alijah, I make a public declaration. “I love you, Alijah.”
“I love you more, mama,” Alijah says without hesitation.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Y’all just fucked me up with this little display,” Mom says with laughter in her tone.
For the first time since I walked into the room and saw her condition, I smile, relief settling in my body. I don’t know if it’sthe drugs Mom is on, but either way, I’m excited to know that she doesn’t have a negative outlook about Alijah and me. But I’m gonna write this day in my calendar so I can remember it later. Roslyn Edmonds just might have gotten past her outlook on men as it pertains to me. Maybe my ass should have left the city a long time ago.
Two Weeks Later. . .
“Are you sure you have everything?” Alijah asks for the fourth time, and I huff before answering him again.
“What’s wrong? You’ve asked me this question more times than necessary.”
