Chapter Eighteen- Belligerent
Thom arrived at thebrick bungalow house on South Justin Street.For some odd reason, the home was exactly as Thom imagined: tight windows, with little to no space between the homes, and no driveway.The small driveway which was there, he used to back in the moving truck.Several neighbors came outside to see what was causing the beeping sound from the truck backing in, and it also brought Rae Weston to the front porch as well.His face grew tight as he watched the tall man in a hat exit the driver's side of the rental truck and walk around opening the door for Mae.Thom's head was down, as well as him wearing long sleeves and a necktie with a cardigan, looking like he had fallen into The Gap.Thom opened the door for Mae, helped her out, and walked in front of her, leading the way.He only made it as far as the bottom step.
“Mae, is that a white man?”Rae Weston bellowed.“I know like hell you ain't bringing no white man to my damned house talkin' 'bout this yo huzband.Aww hell naw!”
Thom stood at the bottom step, looking up at the man.He saw no surprises in his delivery or his reaction to seeing him.This part he'd anticipated and was actually looking forward to dealing with in the right proper fashion.He offered a bright smile.
“Mr.Weston, I'm Thom Brown,” he stated.
“I don't care if you're Thom Thumb,” Rae yelled.“Mae, you have some explaining to do young woman.”
Thom shrugged.“Okay then.”He turned and began to walk away from the home, clicking the unlock button on the truck.“Mary, it's still pretty early; if I push it, we might get home before dark.”
Rae Weston didn't know what to make of it.“Hold on there.Where are you going?”
“Sir, since you're unwilling to welcome me into your home, don't be the least bit surprised when I'm unwilling to welcome you into ours,” Thom said.“I guess you can still do your weekly Wednesday calls to stay in touch.Nice meeting you.”
Thom opened the truck door for Mae as Jae came out of the house.He yelled at Thom, “Hey, where are you guys going?”
“Home,” Thom said.“We'll talk later.”
Rae Weston began to stutter as his son took over.“Man, you and Mae get in this house.Ma has been cooking most of the day, and everyone is here to meet you.Daddy, come on now,” he said to his father.
“Jae, that is a white man,” Rae said.
“He's a man, Daddy,” he said, waving Thom forward, but Thom hadn't moved.His eyes were on the father, waiting for him to back down and act like he had some sense.
“I'm not understanding this at all.She quit her job to marry him and move to where again?This is making no sense, no sense at all,” Rae said.
“Mr.Weston, I'm here for you to find out what she saw in me to claim me as her own and marry me,” Thom said.“Aren't you the least bit curious to know what it is that made her choose me as her husband?”
“I guess,” Rae mumbled, slightly backing down.
“Mr.Weston, are we invited in, or are we leaving?”
“Come on in.I mean, Bae has spent all day cooking, and she misses Mae, so yeah, I guess,” he acquiesced.
Thom led the way as Mae followed behind.He extended his hand for a shake, which Mr.Weston refused, but he moved to the side as his wife embraced her father, giving the man a hug.Jae led the way inside the home, to shiny wooden floors with updated appliances Thom could see in the open floor plan. Jae was all smiles as he made the introductions.
“Thom, this is my wife, Dr.Sherryl Weston, and our daughters Ella and Josephine,” he said pointing to the girls who stood watching him.
“Ah, Josephine, what kind of dancing do you prefer, ballet or modern?”Thom asked.
