Page 27 of That: Taylor & Brooks

“Look who it is.” Her mother called from the doorway, “I was just about to make some sweet tea and cornbread.”

Taylor forced a smile, pushing her morning aside. “Perfect timing then.”

Her father appeared behind her mother, newspaper in hand. “Baby girl,” he said warmly, and for a moment Taylor thought she might break right there, might let it all spill out. But she swallowed hard and hugged them instead.

Inside, everything was just as it had always been neat, and warm, with love displayed on the walls and mantle. Her parents had always doted on her, their only child, making sure her life was as smooth as possible. Even when she didn’t agree with their spiritual bypassing, she never questioned their love or that they wanted what they thought was best for her.

“It’s been a minute huh? You working too hard.”

“I know. Life been life’ing, ma. You know my car was in the shop.”

“Yeah, butGod be God’ing.” Taylor rolled her eyesat her momma and her bible sayings and quotes. She had a saying or scripture for everything.

“And do,” she replied with a laugh. Her mind drifting to thoughts of Brooks, he’d been nothing but an angel in disguise for her.

“You coming back for dinner? I feel like I haven’t spent time with you in forever.”

“I can’t,” Taylor said. “I have plans with the girls tonight. Kennedi’s in town.”

“How’s Tyree? Found em a job yet?” her father asked.

“Not yet daddy, but maybe soon.” She lied; Tyree wasn’t even looking anymore.

“What you whipping up for dinner anyway?” she asked trying to change the subject. She was here to show proof of life not talk about Tyree.

“Shrimp and grits, fried okra, and some cornbread. Ya daddies request chile.” Her mom replied, and then asked, “What y’all having tonight? Chicken wings?” Her mother joked, causing Taylor to laugh.

“Yeah, like usual. We’re meeting up at Slicks for happy hour and wings.” Wings fried hard — they hated to see her and her girls coming. Slicks was their spot. The wings made you come back like crack was the special ingredient. She couldn’t wait to let her hair down, get her eight piece, hot lemon pepper wings, all flats, with blue cheese.

“Y’all don’t get too wild and embarrass ya family. But have some fun. You work hard.”

“I won’t.” Taylor sat down at the table as her mother started making her cornbread. When she plopped down into the chair her mother noticed her demeanor and fought the urge to say something but hermouth won over.

“Taylor, everything ok?”

“Yeah momma, why?”

“You seem distant. I know Tyree not having a job is hard on you. I can talk to him for you if you need me to put some fire under his behind. Or loan ya a little something. Until he gets it on the good foot.”

“Ma, you shouldn’t have to do that. He’s an adult. And I don’t need anything.”

Teresa sighed, stirring the cornbread mixture before glancing at Taylor. “I know, baby. Sometimes, men need a little extra push. Tyree will find his way. I know it.”

Taylor kept her face neutral, but inside, her stomach twisted. “Yeah, find his way right the hell away from me,” she muttered under her breath.

“Huh?”

“Nothing momma, prayerfully he will find his way.”

She bit her tongue, drained from arguing and pushing a man who didn’t want to move.

Taylor often wondered if her father had to be pushed to take care of his family and why that was okay? Taylor somewhat believed her parents wanted them to work so they didn’t feel like failures. It was never about her.

“We’ve been trying to offer him a job at the church, but I can’t get ahold of him. Y’all live so far away and haven’t been to church in a month of Sundays,” her mother continued. Taylor rolled her eyes, her mother was so dramatic at times.

Her father finally lowered the paper, breaking his silence.

“You praying for him, right?”

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