“Welcome. Please, sit.” A small hand gracefully motions in the direction of a table and chairs off to the side of the enormous kitchen. “Lola – would you please get –” She pauses, looking expectantly at her daughter.
“Oh, um – Mama meet Bear – well, Xavier. Xavier Dermot. Bear, meet my mama, Monique.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“The feeling’s mutual, Xavier.” Another sweet smile reveals a dimple I hadn’t noticed earlier. “Baby girl, would you mind getting Xavier something to drink while I check on dinner? Daddy should be home anytime now. He’s late tonight but let me know he’s on his way.”
“Oh sh- oot.” I manage to catch myself before cussing in front of Monique. “I brought gifts and forgot them in the truck. I’ll be right back.”
I all but run for the front door, grateful for the opportunity of a moment to myself. She seems like a lovely lady, but Monique has stirred up a riot of emotions in me I’ve not faced in a long time. Feeling shaken, my equilibrium taking heavy fire, I need a second.
Taking my time, I gather the flowers and chocolates I bought for her and the bottle of wine I bought for Eloise’s dad. All the while talking myself down from the ledge. The urge to get in my truck and escape is almost overwhelming. Only the thought of upsetting Eloise and her sweet mama prevents me from acting.
A final pep talk and deep breath later, I lock the truck and return to the kitchen.
“There you are. Everything all right?” Eloise’s eyes search mine, and I’m sure she can see my thoughts of moments ago.
“Yeah, all good. Just had to take a call, but it’s nothing serious.” The lie rolls off my tongue too smoothly for comfort. Then again, at this point, I’m so far out of my comfort zone it’s just one more thing to add to the list.
Handing Monique the flowers and chocolates, I avoid Eloise’s gaze.
“Oh, Xavier, these are exquisite. Thank you. That’s so thoughtful of you. I bet you spoil your mama, don’t you?”
“Mama, er –” Eloise starts, and I can tell she’s nervous about my reaction.
I give her hand a surreptitious squeeze and pick up the answer. “Sadly, she passed when I was fifteen.” At the stricken look on Monique’s face, I hasten to continue, “However, you bet I’d spoil her with flowers every week if she were still with me.” I smile at her.
Alarmed at the tears that well in the woman’s eyes, I don’t give her an opportunity to respond. Turning to Eloise, I ask, “Could you point me to the nearest bathroom, please?”
“Yes. Sure. Absolutely.” She pivots and hurries from the room.
Still smiling at Monique, I excuse myself and follow Eloise. She’s waiting in the hallway for me as I exit the kitchen. She points down the hall. “Second door on the right there.”
“Thanks.”
Not meeting my eyes, she nods and turns to return to the kitchen. Stops, but doesn’t turn around. “I’m sorry. I should have told her about your mama. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that.”
“Don’t sweat it, Elle, it happened a long time ago.”
She nods again before walking away. Sighing, I rub the back of my neck where I can feel the tension building. Tonight really wasn’t a good idea, but I’m here now. I let myself into the half bath. Not one to normally pay attention to décor, I’m taken with the small room. It’s done it calming colors, giving the space a serenity. Something I am sorely lacking in this moment.
I’m taking care of business when I hear a man’s voice. At a guess, I’d say Eloise’s father has arrived home. My body tightens and my senses go on high alert as his voice gets louder. I can’t hear distinct words, but I recognize an angry voice when I hear it.
The raised voice and irate tone was always how mama’s “lessons” began. There was always a good reason for my father to go on a rant, in his opinion, leading to her getting hurt.
I finish up and quickly wash my hands before hurrying back to the kitchen. I know I’m a stranger to these people, but I have no intention of allowing anything untoward to happen while I’m here.
Eloise is saying “But Daddy –” as I stride into the room and stumble to a stop in confusion. Monique is tucked into the man’s side as his other arm waves about in agitatedly. Eloise is standing relaxed against the opposite counter. All eyes swivel in my direction.
“Ah, you must be Xavier,” the man says, stepping forward, bringing Monique with him as he still has an arm around her.
I brace, not knowing what to expect after having heard him ranting just moments before. But he simply sticks a hand out. After the tiniest hesitation, I place mine in his. His handshake is firm and brief.
“This is my dad, Jerome. Daddy, Xavier.”
“Pleasure to meet you, son.”
“Good to meet you, sir,” I say, not sure I one hundred percent mean the words since I still have no idea what I walked in on. I don’t have long to wait to find out.
