Page 29 of A Don & His Doll

Sienna had loved Monroe more than words could ever express, the love between them was so deeply rooted that even after years apart it was still as potent as the day they confessed their feelings for each other. Sienna also knew that Macie would forever use her love as leverage against her to keep her bound. The shit was crazy, and for the life of her, she couldn’t understand how something as pure as love could be used as a weapon. Macie had succeeded in breaking Sienna’s spirit without raising her voice once, and the few pieces of her soul she held on to gave her hope.

“Mom,” Monae’s voice cut gently through the silence, pulling Sienna back from the weight of her thoughts. “Do you know what day I’ll meet my dad?” She asked, turning to face Sienna.

“It’s a surprise,” Sienna lied, and sealed it with a smile. “Just trust the process. Your time is coming, baby,” she offered reassurance, but also needed to buy more time because truthfully, she still needed to figure it out.

Monae sighed. “Okay. I’ve waited this long, I guess I can wait a little longer.”

Sienna reached over the center console and intertwined her fingers with her daughters. “I love you, Monae Symone Black.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

Their conversation faded, slipping into the background as the city took over. The music switched, cars crept past them bumper to bumper, horns blaring in frustration while impatient drivers weaved in and out of lanes like they had somewhere more important to be. Graffiti stretched across the side rails in bold colors, names, symbols, and stories left behind by people who needed to be seen. Sienna barely noticed any of it. Her focus stayed straight ahead, hands steady on the wheel as Manhattan slowly faded behind them. By the time they crossed over into Brooklyn, the traffic that crawled had loosened just enough to breathe, but the tension in Sienna’s heart lingered. Somewhere between the silence and her thoughts, the drive blurred together.

“We made it,” Sienna revealed, placing the car in park. “Come on.”

Without saying a word, Monae unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car, ready to follow her mom’s lead. She was amazed by the sight of all the brownstone homes that aligned the streets. Her virgin eyes scanned the block, taking in her new surroundings with warranted curiosity. It was nothing like Morocco. Everything from the structure of the homes and cars that were parked bumper to bumper. It was both foreign and beautiful simultaneously. Quiet as kept, Monae loved the water view that surrounded their home, but this was a change she could see herself getting used to.

As Sienna reached the top of the steps, she quickly tumbled through her designer bag to grab her phone, deciding to send her mom a quick text instead of ringing the doorbell.

Hey Ma! Are you home?

Mama: Hey Baby! Yes, I’m just sitting here reading a book.

I know that’s right! Ain’t nothin’ like a good book.

Mama:What’s on your mind, little lady?

I sent you a package. My notification just alerted me that it just arrived.

Mama: Checking now.

“I got her thinking it’s a package at the door,” Sienna told Monae, humor dripping from her tone.

Monae laughed. “Yes! We’re the package, ma.”

“Sienna Davis!” Her mother exclaimed in a hushed tone, breath hitched in surprise. “Oh my God, Muffin. Come here, my baby,” she said, beaming with open arms.

Monae smiled, and walked into her grandmother’s embrace. “Hey, Grammy. You look so pretty today.”

“Thank you, Muffin. You are one gorgeous young lady yourself,” she returned, standing to look at her daughter with a mixture of love and confusion embedded in her gaze.

“How you doing, Queen?” Sienna greeted with an infectious smile.

“Come here, girl,” her mom, Symie said, wrapping her in a warm embrace. “I’m so glad to see you, my baby. Y’all come on in here,” Symie invited. “Thank you, Jesus,” Symie whispered her gratitude to the Lord as Sienna and Monae walked through her front door. He had answered her consistent petition.

Symie never thought Sienna and Monae would have the luxury of coming to New York, much less having them at her home. But, she was the epitome of the power of a praying mother. It had hurt her to her core when she watched how her daughter was forced into behind loving a man whose mother couldn’t handle him loving another woman. As much power as Macie had on the streets, Symie was sickened by the lengths Macie went through to control her grown sons’ life. Despite how much she detested the moves Macie had made, there was nothing she could do to make matters more favorable for Sienna and her granddaughter.

Symie was an upscale caterer and owned a restaurant called Symie’s Kitchen. Not only did she rank in the top five best soul food restaurants, but she also specialized in Creole Cuisine. She had recipes passed down through generations in her family, and she had put them all into good use. Her food was so good it softened the stoniest hearts, comforted the broken, and made everyone’s soul smile. Her food was like that, and everyone loved it. But still, she was powerless when it came to saving her daughter, and her heart ached every day because of that fact. It was nobody but God who brought her babies back home, and though she didn’t know for how long, she knew that it was some bullshit attached to it if Macie had anything to do with it.

“Let me fix y’all something to eat,” Symie said more than asked.

“Yes!” Sienna and Monae exclaimed in unison.

“Can you make me some red beans and rice with chicken and avocado, please?” Monae requested sweetly, remembering the last meal she had made when she came to visit them in Morocco.

Symie and Sienna cracked up laughing.

“Now who she get that from?” Symie spoke through her laughter.