“It’s a battle with that one, girl. He be making me wanna test the waters,” she mumbled back. I giggled then looked around the cafeteria.
The round tables were set up with five chairs each and they all had navy blue tablecloths. The dinnerware was simple paper products and I understood that with all the kids this place must house. I would not want to be doing any extra dishes I didn’t need to. A huge window on the far end showcased the playground and it made me feel like I was in elementary school all over again. I loved it.
“Was that playground always there?” I asked.
“The swing set and slide were but the main playground just got built a month ago. You know Arlando and Armond didn’t spare any expenses. Each kid was able to buy two things to personalize their rooms and all. It means everything to me, girl.”
“You really want to own this place one day?”
“Oh, for sure sis.”
“I’ll go in on it with you. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a silent partner.”
“Silent? Girl bye!” She laughed. “You don’t know how to be that.”
“Oh whatever.”
“I’d love that, Brandy. Honestly. I know it’s a whole process to do so and lots of things I’d have to do to accomplish it but if you’re going to move out here for real, then I’d love for you to be part of this journey with me. The kids could use a mentor like you to help guide them. Knowing you have a degree in business management and are the owner of three yoga studios would grant so much motivation for them and you cute too so you’d be the cool auntie in the place,” she teased.
“I’m her regardless, what you say?” I smiled then broke out in a little dance that got her and Tina laughing.
Though I had my girls in Dallas, this was what I’d been missing. The comfort of my sister, how freely everything flowed, and doing things that truly made me happy without feeling like it could come crashing down at any moment.
I truly was blessed at this point in my life. Though it seemed like something small, this was grand for me. After all the years of having someone down my neck, being in Colton with my sister was everything I needed plus more.
TWENTY-THREE
Armond Davis
PREPARATIONS FOR THIS DINNER were completed by our mother, who was excited yet dreaded every moment of meeting the women taking her sons away from her. She made it known that she wasn’t looking forward to smiling in their faces like she didn’t resent them.
She was being a child over the matter but who was I to inform her of her behavior? She’d only say it was justified since we were hardly around. She believed anyone outside of the family was a distraction we didn’t need. Our business dealings were enough and anything further was unnecessary and a set up for disaster. I guess her failed relationships made her bitter and wicked.
I watched as she walked around Arlando’s estate with her hired assistant, Natalie. She was trying her best to write down everything my mother said but I honestly couldn’t keep up so I didn’t know how she did. You would think we were preparing a wedding with the way she was going on and on. She pretty much wanted to change everything about his home and what made all this worthwhile was hearing Arlando deny everything she said.
“Ma, it’s a fucking dinner. Stop trying to make my home a damn movie set. The shit is fine. You’re supposed to begoing over the menu and tablecloths. Not fucking drapery and chandeliers!” Arlando barked for the umpteenth time today.
Our mother shooed him away with her hand but didn’t respond because she knew he was right. The look he gave made her cower and apologize.
I smirked then looked at my phone. I was over this already and only wanted to be back in Brandy’s presence. Spending time with her mother and sister was better than this charade.
You would think we were meeting the royal family with the way she was carrying on. Every time Natalie wrote something down, Arlando would grab the page and read it, then ball it up and throw it over his shoulder like she didn’t just take her time to appease our mother.
“Would you leave me be? I want it to be perfect. If you insist on me meeting this woman after three years, Arlando, then it must be undeniably perfect.”
“So that’s what this is about? You’re upset I kept Chardonnay away from you? You out here loud and wrong, it’s been two years and it ain’t never been any of your damn business anyhow.”
“Absolutely!” she shrieked. “You take a girl seriously then I need to meet the child. You dare keep her away from the family?”
“I already told you why, Mother. Stop being a baby.”
Arlando was the only person who could speak to her in such a way and get away with it. He was a spoiled brat, and had I done so, things would be going a lot differently. Probably why she wasn’t up my ass so much since she’d be meeting Brandy early on in our relationship.
I was just happy the heat was off me for once. Usually, I had endless phone calls from family members wanting to participate. Calls from my father inquiring about things that didn’t matter but somehow tied us together for whatever reason.
Lately, it’d been quiet, a little too quiet. I didn’t know if it was because my father realized that he couldn’t get over on me, no matter what my brother told me, or the pure dread of coming back to The States to appease us with this dinner. If he actually came, then I was sure I’d find out.
For now, I kept all my business dealings among a select few. If anything were to happen, I would be able to narrow it down simply and handle it efficiently. Anyone even close to dealing with my father was shut down. We lost money but I didn’t care about that. His pockets would hurt the most.
