Page 34 of Sweet Love From Saturn

“Y’all leave my damn wife alone. It’s not a crime for her to miss her eldest child,” my dad added.

“I’m sorry, Momma. I’m not trying to discredit your feelings. I’ve missed you a lot and it’s been an adjustment for me too. Let me give you a tour of the house, then I’ll fix you a glass of your favorite wine.”

“Well damn. Did you buy me a bottle of Patrón?” Stacey asked.

“Hel…no. You can be a lady and drink some of this wine I bought Momma.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not a lady because I prefer Patrón?” Stacey shot at me jokingly.

“I never said that.”

“But that’s what you were implying.”

When Stacey drew her hand back like she was about to hit me, I dodged her hand and ran down the hallway.

“Naw, don’t run now.”

“I wish both of you would act your damn age. Mccoy, show me around so I can get to this damn wine. Hell, I’m ready to relax,” my mother called out, causing Stacey and I to burst into laughter.

Doing as my mother asked, I showed them around before we settled in the kitchen. My sister hooked her phone up to my Bluetooth speaker and had old school music playing while my parents focused on Sparky. The only person missing was Saturn. I last spoke to her right before my family pulled up. She let me know she was stopping by the shop then would be on her way. When I looked at my phone to see the time, I realized a full hour hadn’t passed yet. I was so ready for Saturn to be acquainted with my family that it wasn’t funny.

“That’s like the fifth time you looked at your phone in a five-minute span. What you got goin’ on?” Stacey asked before taking a sip of her second glass of wine.

“You all in my business.”

“I am. I’m waiting on Saturn just like you are. When Momma told me you had a girlfriend that she talked to, I couldn’t wait to see her. So when will she be here? Or are we not meeting her this time around?”

Before I could respond, my doorbell rang. Pulling up the camera, I frowned when I saw Saturn standing on the porch. I’d given her a key, so I was confused about why she didn’t use it like she would any other time.

“What’s up, baby. Did you forget your key?” I asked as I pulled her in.

“Hey. And no, I have it. I just didn’t wanna use it with your parents being here. I want them to be familiar with me before I come unlocking doors while they’re around,” she explained before kissing me.

Understanding where she was coming from, I dropped the subject and led her to the kitchen. A huge smile came across my mother’s face when she saw Saturn.

“Oh my goodness! You look even more stunning than I remember. It’s nice to finally meet you, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Davenport. It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Saturn, this is my sister, Stacey, and my dad, Dave.”

Like I knew they would, Stacey and my dad followed suit and greeted Saturn with genuine hugs. As much shit as Stacey talked, she’d never be rude to my company. Even when it came to Carmen, she minded her business and let me handle my own situation. Everyone was engaged in conversation when I noticed what time it was. Saturn had given me suggestions on where to take my family for dinner, so tonight, we were trying a restaurant called Basco’s. It was more of a ma and pop type of place and Black-owned. I’d passed it a few times while driving by, but never checked it out. Saturn’s parents bragged about how good the food was, so I wanted to give it a try.

“We need to get going. Reservations are for six-thirty and it’s six now.”

“Okay, give me a few minutes to freshen up,” my mother countered as she stood from her seat.

By the time we made it outside, the sun was starting to set. The air was damp, indicating rain would be coming soon. I didn’t remember seeing rain in the forecast when I checked earlier but I had an umbrella in my trunk just in case.

“Saturn, you can take the front seat,” my mother called out when she saw Saturn heading for the back.

“Are you sure? I’m fine in the back.”

“Chile, gon’ ’head. As long as my old ass isn’t in that driver’s seat I’m fine.”

“You are not old,” Saturn laughed.

“Don’t hype her head up. Let her be the old woman she thinks she is. Now, get your old self in the truck,” Stacey joked.

---