Page 186 of Are You Going to Love Me

“Had a whole day. Spa, shopping spree, and all. She’s so proud of herself,” Eden replied.

“I can see it. I ain’t never seen her like this. Thank you.”

“Stop,” Eden huffed. “I’d do anything for you. You know that.”

“I know. You keep proving it.”

He placed a kiss on her cheek and sat back, readying himself for the ceremony. The ceremony began with a prayer and welcome, a song, and the graduates proudly recited their creed.

“I am a woman of value. Mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I hold titles, but I hold myself. Accountable, responsible, and with honor. I vow to place one foot in front of the other and look toward the light. God is in me, and He is with me. I will not fail.”

Eden brushed a tear from her cheek and then his. Each woman crossed the stage and stated three things they were looking forward to doing with their new lease on life. Glennette took the stage and looked up, locating her living son and his lady.

“I’m Glennette Burton, and I’m looking forward to being a mother and grandmother. Rebuilding trust and travelling through forgiveness. But more than anything, I’m looking forward to telling my baby boy that I’m sorry.”

“Ohh boy,” Eden huffed, digging through her purse for a pack of tissues. “She’s trying to kill me.”

“You?” Maximus gulped. “Trying to break me down.”

They sat through twelve more women before the graduates were released to their families. Eden was sure to record how Glennette collided with her son and held him. Maximus tucked his face in the crook of her neck and embraced her the same.

“Forgive me, Max. I am so sorry,” she sobbed, her make-up be damned.

“I already did, Ma,” Maximus sniffled. “I already did.”

“I’m going to do better. I’ve come too far to go back,” she assured, pulling away. This time, Maximus believed her. “I have one ask.”

He wiped his face. “What’s that?”

“Can you and I go to therapy? Together and separately. I know there’s years of trauma I imposed on you.”

Maximus looked over at Eden, who nodded her head. “I’ll do it for you, for her, and our child, but I’ll really see it through for me.”

“That’s all I can ask for. Just a chance,” she responded.

Eden clapped and squealed. “I love this.”

Maximus smirked. “Where’s your stuff? Let’s get it and head home. I know someone has a chef coming through.”

Eden grinned. “I definitely used your card for that.”

“Uh huh, I saw it,” he chuckled. “Let’s go home.”

Back at home and unpacked, Glennette sat at the dining room table across from Eden and pointed to her ringless finger.

“Let me get in y’all business,” she started.

“I already know where she’s about to go,” Eden chuckled, taking her last bite of cake.

“Mmhmm. Where’s her ring?”

Maximus gave both women a silly grin.

“I’m really okay without one,” Eden defended. “Like I don’t know the first thing about being a wife. My momma literally had my dad set up with me in the car.”

Glennette smirked. “You are already being a wife, keeping his house – turning it into a home, covering him, supporting, speaking life. Y’all might as well make this official.”

“I hear you,” Eden hummed, catching the shift in Maximus’ energy. “I’m going to lay down.”

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