Page 50 of Forbidden Love

Esmeralda stood outside Casper’s double doors with a huge smile on her face. I felt uneasy, didn’t know what his reaction would be once I walked through the doors. I had a lot to get off of my chest, and no matter what, I was going to make it clear that I was grown.

I tried to call my mom before I showed up here, but she didn’t answer the phone. I wanted her here just for support. I spoke with Esmeralda then pushed past the heavy double doors. Soon as I made it pass the foyer I stopped mid-step. My dad sat on one of his overstuffed, white leather couches with my mom. They were hugged up like teenagers in love. Her hand was resting on his chest as his lips brushed her temple like he adored her.

I blinked my eyes rapidly to see if I was dreaming. My parents showing affection to one another out in the open wasn’t normal at all to me. They never hugged, kissed, or even smiled at each other like this in front of me.

“What the fuck?” I asked, barely above a whisper to myself.

My mom looked up first with relaxed eyes. She stood up, smoothed down her satin blouse, then smiled warmly at me.

“Hey, baby, your father and I decided to?—”

“Be as one, again.” He cut her off to finish her sentence.

I looked to him, expecting to see the usual smug look of disgust on his face. Instead of him even looking at me, his eyes was glued to her. He looked up at her like he meant every word he said.

“Bullshit.” I mumbled, still in shock.

“You always look at her and speak to her messed up. Now y’all playing house?” I spoke up eyeing them both.

“People change, Yeremy. Time sometime can soften things. We’ve both have done some soul searching?—”

“Casper has a soul?” I looked to her dully.

“Since when did he have a soul? Before or after he put a hit out on, Ramsey?” I cocked my head to the side.

“If you coming up in my house expecting an apology…you might as well turn the fuck around. It seems as though you need to walk the fuck back out anyway to restart your entrance. Don’t forget who the fuck you talking to, little girl.” He sat up coldly.

He snatched his Cigar from the glass ashtray on the coffee table. Without even acknowledging my mom, she quickly picked up his lighter and lit the end for him. Casper spread his legs out and puffed on his weed filled cigar, never blinking as he eyed me like he dared me to say anything else slick.

“I’m grown and?—”

“Act like it! I’ve been waiting for you to act grown for the longest.” He chuckled dryly.

“Casper, baby.” He snapped his fingers as his eyes cut over at my mom.

All she needed was a look from him that told her to shut up and let him lead. She took a seat next to him then laid her hand on top of his leg.

“You never gave me a chance,” I stated.

“I did, right after your graduation dinner. The same dinner you chose Ramsey over me at. You came home and packed your things to go be with a nigga?—”

“Casper, no need in going into all that…she’s back, we don’t want to?—”

“Don’t cut me off again, Benita.” He looked at her sternly.

He cleared his throat then looked over at my mom. He noticed the sad look of defeat on her beautiful brown face. I saw his eyes soften, he leaned in close to her and whispered something lowly into her ear. I couldn’t even stand in front ofthem to be mad from the way my mom blushed and melted right into him. He kissed her on the cheek then grabbed her chin to peck her lips.

She got up with a silly grin on her face and looked at me with a look of embarrassment.

“I’m going to start dinner for us,” she said lowly and walked off quickly.

Casper watched her until she disappeared down the hall. He sat his cigar back down into the ashtray then stood.

“I hope you don’t hurt her. She really loves you,” I stated lowly.

“I really love her too, I never stopped. We both never fought hard for each other. My pride got the best of me, and I realized my wrongs.”

“You hurt me, Daddy. Really, really bad.” I choked the words out.