My mother had kept her head down, picking over her scrambled eggs. Any other day, Maya Winters commanded the room with her intellect and her wit. Even her no-nonsense demeanor endeared people to her. Yet, today, she looked off. I knew that her wife, Julia, had been dealt blow after blow after being diagnosed with cancer several months ago. But Mom looked more sad than usual.
On the other side of the table, my father had spent his time looking at his phone and ignoring everyone. Which wasn’t all that different from how he’d behaved any time we’d seen him, even when my mother wasn’t around. He’d never remarried after the divorce and was content to be miserable.
The two of them had made a mess of their marriage and their divorce, and it had affected all of us in different ways. My oldest brother, Harper, had avoided relationships and practically lived at the hospital where he worked as a physician. Although he also lived in Georgia, we rarely saw him. Elise worked as a pharmacist, had married young, and was mother to my fave person in the world—my three-year-old nephew Ellis. I spoke to her every day in some form.
My father set his phone down and rested his elbows on the table. A move that he knew would irritate my mother. “You wanted everyone here, Justus, what would you like to talk about?”
Justus’ frustration rolled off him in waves. “Hm.” He tapped his finger against the table, then finally shrugged. “Maybe the weather? How about real estate? The law? Medicine? Electricity? Pharmacy?” His sarcasm wasn’t lost on me, especially since he’d named off each of our careers. “What about … Congratulations, son, on your wedding? How’s my grandson, Elise? I heard about that groundbreaking research you’re working on, Harper? So proud of you, Charlye, for getting your degree?” I placed my hand on his, but he forged ahead. “I miss you. How about a simple ‘how is your life’? Better yet, can you at least act like you care a little?”
“That might be too hard,” Elise murmured. She sipped her water. “Ellis is doing great, by the way. He’s starting an early pre-school program. He loves to debate. Talks a lot. I’d say I have a gifted son. Can’t wait to see what he does with his life.”
Harper cleared his throat. “I spend most of my time in the lab, studying RNA virus evolution. I’m considering a move.”
“Really?” Elise asked.
Nodding, Harper replied, “Both Vanderbilt and Michigan offered me a position.”
My mother perked up then. “That’s amazing, son. I’d love to have you back in Ann Arbor. So would Julia.”
“Of course, you would,” my father said. “You always wanted him under your thumb anyway.”
Ignoring him, Mom said, “Please keep us posted.”
“I’m considering starting a non-profit, designed to help young African American women who want to become electricians,” I offered. “There’s so much—”
“There’s also a lot of money to be made in real estate,” Dad interrupted. “The market is booming right now. If you’d taken my offer and come to work for me, you might be in a better place.”
I lowered my head. My father had made himself very clear from the moment I’d decided to drop out of his alma mater, Hampton University. No matter how much money I made or that I loved what I did, he would never approve of my choice. Instead of supporting me, he’d constantly discounted me.
“Actually, sheisin a better place,” Elise said.
“You’d know that if you actually called once in a while,” Justus added.
I love them.
Still, my father continued, “Where is Kelvin? Wonderful young man. Good head on his shoulders.”
“Kelvin is not here because he wasn’t invited,” Justus replied.
I’d be lying if I’d said that my father’s approval hadn’t been the main reason I’d gone out with Kelvin in the first place. He’d introduced us at an event years ago. Kelvin’s father and my dad were close friends, both working in real estate investments. Every time my father called or visited, he made sure to let me know that a marriage between our two families would be excellent. “He’ll be at the wedding,” I assured.
“Glad you didn’t run him off too.” Dad added.
The dig had stung. Sure, I hadn’t had the best track record in relationships, but my father had this uncanny ability to make me feel like shit. I tried not to, but I slumped forward and massaged my temples with my fingers.
“Look, I’m over it.” Justus dropped his fork on his plate. “I don’t know what I was thinking wanting a nice breakfast with my family before I walked down the aisle. Obviously, I was wrong because—”
“Justus, don’t.” I placed a hand on my brother’s wrist, halting what I knew would be an epic cuss out. Like my mother, Justus had no problem putting my father in his place. He glanced at me. “Please?” His eyes softened and he stabbed his fork into his Eggs Benedict.
Mom reached over and squeezed my hand. “Well, I’m proud of you, sweetie. It takes a lot of courage to follow your heart.”
“Why am I not surprised you would say that, Maya?” Dad retorted.
Mom let out a heavy sigh. “Charles, it’s been almost seventeen years. When are you going to move on?”
Leaning back, Dad crossed a leg over his knee. “I’ve already moved on. Many times.”
“You sure? Because I can’t tell.” Mom set her fork down, and despite the circumstance, I was happy to see the fire back in her eyes. “This is a happy occasion. It would be nice if we could provide the support the children need.”
