Page 49 of Divine Sense

“Mmm. You must really like her. Come on now, everyone’s in the back.” She started to turn away but whipped around to face us once more. “And just so you know, big brother, Mama is in fine form today.”

I groaned and scrubbed my hand down my face. ‘Fine form’ for our mama meant she was fully rested and in full mama mode, wanting to know anything and everything about her babies. When she got like this, there were no secrets to be kept because she would pry them out of you as if her last dying breath depended on it. Tiana chuckled at my look of dismay and started walking towards the back of the house.

“Who is ‘everyone?’” Magnolia asked in a hushed tone as we followed my sister down the hallway.

“My family,” I started to explain. “By the number of cars outside, it seems like it’s a good turnout today. Cousins, aunties, my sisters, maybe even a few neighbors who we call cousins even though they aren’t. Seems to me you’re meeting the whole lot today.” I gave her a reassuring smile as she took a deep breath. I was doing my best to mask my own nerves because the both of us being nervous wouldn’t help the situation.

The Afrobeats music grew louder as we approached the back of the house where the kitchen, living room, and screened in porch were located. The closer we got, the louder the laughs got and the more people we started to notice. I recognized everyone of course but Magnolia looked around at the sea of strangers, trying to take them all in for the first time. Her fair skin and long dark hair a stark difference from everyone packed into the back of the house.

“Mama, your chosen child is here,” Tiana called out as she passed the kitchen, heading towards a recliner in the living room.

“Girl, I wish you’d stop sayin’ that. All of my children are chosen to me. None more important than the other.” My mother didn’t turn around from where she was stirring something in a pot on the stove. A warmth of nostalgia hit me as she lifted the wooden spoon to her mouth and tasted the concoction inside. The same way she always had over the span of my lifetime. She did a little dance as the stew inside hit her lips, swinging her wide set hips side to side in pleasure. After setting the wooden spoon down on the counter, she finally turned to face me.

“My son, I’m so happy you’re here to join us this weekend.” With wide arms, she took a few strides towards me and pulled me in tightly. Mama was the reason we were a family of huggers. Not once did she greet someone without one. Her wide set body held me like a childhood blanket, welcoming me in with the warmth and love only a mother can give. Her cheek rested square on my chest as I towered over her.

“Mama, I come every Sunday, don’t play like I don’t.” I squeezed her back before pulling away. She beamed up at me with a smile and patted my cheek. Then, she turned to Magnolia who was standing next to us, watching the entire exchange with wide eyes.

“And who’s this pretty girl? Our Kolbi rarely ever brings anyone with him to family brunch. The few times he has, it’s been one of those boys he ran around with growin’ up. What’s your name darlin’?” She took both of Magnolia’s hands into hers and gave her a warm smile. Magnolia glanced up at me for confirmation and spoke.

“I’m Magnolia, Mrs. Vesey. It’s so nice to meet you.” Mama clucked her tongue at being called ‘Mrs. Vesey’ and some of the people watching the introduction laughed from around theroom, knowing good and well how much Mama hated being called anything formal.

“You can call me ‘Mama,’ darling. Everyone does.” She winked at my girl and pulled her in for a signature mama hug. “We’re so happy you’re joining us this morning.”

“Thank you. I’m so happy to be here.” They held each other for a long moment and I didn’t miss when Magnolia seemed to relax into the hug and pull Mama closer to her. When she pulled away, Mama placed a hand on her cheek before speaking again.

“How’d you meet my boy?” Mama asked under her breath. She dropped her hands and grabbed Magnolia’s.

“Uhh…” Magnolia looked at me for guidance but I gave her a nod, letting her know it’s okay to be honest. “He’s doing some work for my family.” Mama nods her head as if she already knows—she always knows.

“And he’s treatin’ you good?”

I rolled my eyes and Magnolia laughed nervously.

“Yes, ma’am—” she squeezed her eyes shut to correct herself when Mama gave her a sideways look at being called ‘ma’am.’ “Yes, Mama, he’s treating me very good.”

“Good. If he ever gives you trouble, you call me up and I’ll put him in his place.” Mama glanced over to me and I just stood there with a small smile on my face, watching the two of them get along so well made my heart swell.

“I promise I will,” Magnolia said. Mama grabbed a piece of her dark hair and brought it to the front of her shoulder, sliding her fingers through it like I’ve done so many times before.

“You’re a pretty one. I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispered before squeezing her hand again and walking away. With the introduction out of the way, the onlookers went back to the conversations they’d been having before we got here. Magnolia looked at me with misty eyes.

“What’s wrong, angel?” I pulled her into my side and planted a kiss on her head.

“I don’t know. I just haven’t had a hug like that in a long time. My mother isn’t like that and, I don’t know, it was nice.” She shrugged underneath me and my heartstrings tugged. Hearing about the lack of affection she got at home made me sad for her. “It was like I was home, when she was hugging me. I felt so safe, so loved. I only just met her though.”

I chuckled from deep in my gut and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “That’s the magic of Mama’s hugs.” She smiled up at me with a warmth in her eyes I hadn’t yet seen before and looked around at the other people inside the house. “Come on, let me introduce you to everyone.”

33

MAGNOLIA

“Nothing makes me more proud than knowing I may have the great honor of representing the great state of South Carolina in Washington this fall. My family has lived in the Lowcountry for hundreds of years, proudly donating to the hungry and homeless while advocating for more personal freedoms and liberties.” The crowd gathered in front of the Old Exchange building cheered as my father gave them all a million dollar smile. His pearly white veneers reflected the flashes of the cameras that snapped photos to be blasted out to multiple news outlets over the next few days. A large, clunky video camera stood at attention on top of a tripod like a soldier waiting for orders. My eyes peered through the crowd in an effort to distract myself from the numbing pain that was developing in my cheeks.

My mother and I were flanking his sides—her to his left, me to his right—smiling out to the crowd and giving them the image of a perfect, happy, trustworthy family.If only they knew how before we came out to greet the crowd, she threatened to take the keys to my condo if I wasn’t anything but poisedand supportive on stage.I flashed my eyes towards her now, standing on the opposite side of the podium, and took in all that she was. A dutiful wife who loved her husband and was willing to do or be anything he asked her to be. With her striking features that were the source of my own, she beamed at the crowd with an unshaking certainty thatthisis what her whole life had been leading to. To be a senator’s wife.

Part of me felt sad for her knowing that she wasn’t anyone without my father by her side.

The other part of me vowed to never end up like her.

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