Eleven
“Girl, do you know how many people asked me if they could sign releases so they could be on the show?” Marcie “Big Mama” Johnson greeted her daughter with a bear hug and a bigger smile. “I get wannabe actors coming in all of the time! I started signing autographs!”
“Really?” Aaliyah smiled. “I hope it wasn’t because of anything I did?”
“Girl, you know it was!” Marcie laughed. She was a dark-skinned woman of average build, but there was nothing average about her. “My business has tripled! Everyone wants to know about your mama now!”
“Mmm…” Aaliyah forced a grin. It seemed her parents loved their newfound fame, even though she was still trying to adjust to it. “I hope no one is harassing you, Mama.”
“Are you kidding me?” Marcie pointed at the waiting line outside the door. “What do you think that is?”
“You’ve always had a long line at your restaurant,” Aaliyah politely reminded.
“Yeah, but not like that!” Marcie led Aaliyah to a private booth. The camera crew immediately followed them.
“Let us know when you’re ready to start filming, Ms. Smith.” A cameraman instructed her.
“It’s good thing I got this blowout,” Marcie smiled and flicked her long hair. “I picked up a new lip color at MAC.” She smacked her lips. “Vixen Red. You like?”
Her mother was so adorable, Aaliyah couldn’t help but to smile. “You look beautiful, Mama.” She nodded at the cameraman. “We’re ready.”
“And three, two, one…” he pointed at her.
“Soooo…” Marcie began as she watched her only daughter look over the menu. “…where’s Ocean?”
“And what?” Aaliyah felt like her mother just sucker-punched her. “What?”
“Girl, I’m your mama, don’t play that mess.” Marcie locked eyes with her daughter. “Where is he?”
“I’m not dating Ocean, Mama.” Aaliyah cleared her throat and went back to looking at the menu. “We’re…friends.”
“I noticed that pause.” Marcie greeted the server as she brought over iced tea lemonades. “You’re not just friends with Ocean.”
Her mother had a point. Friends don’t fuck each other. They damn sure don’t spend an entire long weekend in various sexual positions while lazily picking out future names for their children.
Aaliyah wondered what the failure rate was for the Mirena? “We’re still figuring things out and it’s too soon to say anything.” Aaliyah replied. She was still scheduled to go with Ocean to the benefit but she hadn’t heard from him since he left her home early Tuesday morning. It was now Friday.
What Aaliyah did know was she was rather sick of Ocean’s disappearing act whenever the mood suited him. She knew he was busy but nobody was that busy. If Barack could call Michelle from overseas, surely Ocean could send a text to Aaliyah in the same time zone.
“Ocean’s a nice guy.” Marcie stated. “He comes from a good family. I would like to see it work between you two.”
“Why? So you can brag that your son-in-law is a senator?” Aaliyah teased.
“No, so I can brag about how my daughter found the love of her life and she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her in a very long time.” Marcie mentioned. “And it would be nice to see you have someone to share your success with.”
Aaliyah put the menu down and folded her lips. She felt her eyes water and she briefly looked away so she could keep them at bay. Despite how different she’d become from her mother – her mother was a devout churchgoer and Aaliyah was a free spirit – Marcie had always supported her daughter no matter what.
“I will, Mommy,” Aaliyah replied, with a bit of sadness, “I just have to keep looking for the right one. I don’t know where he is yet.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll find him if you make yourself available,” Marcie winked. “so, how long are you in town for?” Marcie asked.
“Probably just over the weekend,” Aaliyah was sure not to mention the benefit. She still hadn’t bought a dress and with Ocean going ghost on her, she wasn’t sure if she was still invited. “Long enough to see Brittany and then head back.”
“Let’s have a spa day. Just you and me like old times.” Marcie added.
“I would like that.” Aaliyah grabbed her mom’s hand. They used to spend a lot of time together when she lived in L.A., and now she only saw her every couple of months. Aaliyah made it a mental note to start visiting her mother more often. “I would like that a lot.”
“And if yourfriendis in the area, he’s more than welcomed to stop by here.” Marcie smiled. She was always a little sweet on Ocean.
