Page 48 of More to Love

“We just wanted to see you and your sister that’s all. We were worried about you and didn’t want to keep going days without speaking,” my mother voiced.

“Days? Lady, who are you trying to come in here and fool? We haven’t seen or talked to you in over five years. Please get the hell on with all of that.” Erykah wasn’t trying to give them a pass at all.

“EJ,” I whispered. She still had to show them respect.

When I looked at my father you could see the irritation on his face, but he didn’t say a word. That alone let me know that this visit wasn’t because they wanted to mend things. They wanted something. My father would’ve never let EJ get that off without some unkind words following behind it.

“Erykah, we’re trying to apologize for the way we’ve treated you and your sister. We should’ve paid attention more and given you two more of us. As y⁠—”

“Mama, if you wanted to apologize you would’ve done it already. Plus, Dad isn’t here for that at all, so why don’t you just tell us why you sought out the two children that you barely know.” I loved my sister and her comfortability mattered more than theirs did.

“The house is up for foreclosure and me and your father were wondering if you could help us out. We just need a few grand and we promise to pay it back. We went to your sister and brother, and they weren’t willing to help at all. You and EJ were our only hope.”

I looked at my father and his expression never changed. My mother was humble enough to come to us, but my father had way too much pride. My guess was that he couldn’t get a loan and the twins were too selfish to give it up. He had no choice but to come to us. However, he was going to let my mother do all the talking as if it was her begging and not them both.

“You mean to tell me your husband doesn’t have the funds? I guess not putting us through school or giving us one red cent dried up his paper. That’s what he gets, and I don’t have any extra funds to give you. I have more important things to spend my money on. I wish y’all the best of luck though. I’ll be in the car sis’.”

EJ stood and walked right out the restaurant not caring about what happened from that moment forward. My focus never shifted from my father. He was so mean, and my mother allowed him to treat us any kind of way. It didn’t help that he voiced to my mother countless times that EJ and I weren’t supposed to be born. He was content with the twins, and I was even more content with the millions in my bank account.

“Dad, is this true? Do you need our help?” I wanted him to say it out of his own mouth.

“What the hell do you think Sorimah? Joanna, hurry up so we can get the hell out of here.”

His tone was still one that creeped me out. He never wanted to acknowledge the success me and EJ had until he needed something.

“I don’t have it. I have a child that will be here soon, and I need money to take care of it, so my funds are tied up with that. My sister said it once, but I’ll say it again. I wish you the best of luck.” I threw my hand up signaling for the waiter to bring us the check.

“This the reason why I never cared for you two. You’re so damn selfish. We googled your net worth and how well you’re doing. We know you have the money so just give it to us. You see we’re about to lose everything!” he shouted as if we weren’t two feet away from him.

This was the man I knew. Whenever he didn’t get his way, he would result in screaming and hollering as if that would change the outcome. He was calling me and EJ selfish, but we were the product of his selfishness and my mother’s ignorance.

“And I’m getting ready to have a child. My money is accounted for or are you hard of hearing these days as well. I’m sorry that you’re going through that, but I suggest you pray and ask God to spare you.”

“Wait, Sorimah. You’re pregnant? Oh, my goodness. I’m so happy for you!” my mother squealed. She probably was happy but that didn’t change anything between us.

“You think we haven’t seen the interviews questioning you about how you became a millionaire overnight. Me and your mother will be out on our ass in a few weeks. For God’s sake act like you give a damn about us.” His voice was still elevated but that wasn’t what offended me.

“I don’t want to disrespect you or my mother, especially in this public setting. Everything me and EJ have is because we got from underneath that loveless house that’s up for foreclosure. You need the very two children you tried so hard to forget. Look at God humbling you. Now, it’s been stated twice already that we don’t have the funds. If you show up at my place of business or home, I will make your life hell. Please continue to stay away and we’ll be fine. I advise you to go to God since you know him so well.”

I ended my response in time for the waiter to return with my card. I wasn’t in the right mind space to deal with my parents. They behaved in a way where loving their own children seemed to rob them of something. I truly didn’t understand how they managed to make it through life like this. I saw firsthand what not to do as a mother.

Daria didn’t miss a beat either. She was on my heels not caring for whatever my mother kept calling her name for with our food boxed up in tow. She had a bond with her mother and always wanted me to have the same with mine, but life didn’t work like that.

When we stepped outside of the restaurant, EJ was waiting by the curb. She was ready to go, and I didn’t blame her. I took the back seat and allowed Daria to take the front. I just wanted to go home and relax a bit under the man I loved.

“Have you talked to Dexter lately?” I inquired.

“I just got off the phone with him. He’s on the way down here,” she said pulling off.

“Has he mentioned Hendrix and how he’s doing?”

“He tries but I shut it down. I’m not the one that needs to hear it, you are.”

I sat quietly thinking about the times me and Hendrix shared, and they were some of the best moments in my life. The most content and peaceful moments so far. I missed him and how safe I felt with him. It was time to swallow my pride and woman up.

Pulling out my cell, I called his phone and listened to his line ring for what seemed like an eternity. The last conversation we had was quite disrespectful and I was warned to watch my tongue. I was in the moment and let my words fly without thinking and now I had to deal with the consequences.

Erykah got me back to my condo in ten minutes flat. I wasn’t even upset at her driving. I understood her frustration and anger because our parents were her biggest thorn.