Page 151 of One Good Reason

“You’re playing nice,” Law whispered into my ear.

“I’ve got nothing else left, Harvey. Can’t even be angry… I’m just numb.”

“I got some good news earlier. Wanna hear it?”

“What kind of good news?” I asked and rolled my eyes up to meet his.

“Our application was approved. William sent me an email.”

“Are you serious?”

“Very, Love.” He pecked my lips. “You did it.”

“Wedid it,” I clarified.

“Nawl.” Law shook his head. “This was all you baby. From start to finish.”

“That makes me extremely happy.”

“I figured it would.” He chuckled. “I’ve gotta shoot back to the city tonight. He wants to come by the school and check it out before bringing the rest of the board. Will you be okay until I get back?”

“Yeah. I’ve gotta get this business and shit squared away then I’ll be ready to head back myself.”

“Are you sure? You can stay as long you need. I’ll come back and stay with you. You don’t have to be in a rush to leave.”

“It’s suffocating being here. I don’t want to stay longer than I have too.”

“Okay. Well, as soon as we finish here, I’ll have Baker drop you back to the hotel and leave. As soon as I’m done with William, I’ll be on my way back.”

Grabbing him by the chin, I brought his face down to mine. “Thank you for being here, Harvey. It means the world to me.”

“There’s no other place I’d rather be love.”

The longer we sat out there on the patio, the more the vibe went from sad to joyous. My family could turn any situation into a party. Betty Jo eventually came out of the house with various bottles of liquor. When she turned the radio on, everybody started to really party. It was the little times like this that I was going to miss, ya’ know. The rare occasions where for once everybody got along. Only thing missing was my dear Bertha Mae.

CHAPTER 35

Lawton

“Come on, Tali. Come dance with me.” Her aunt Betty Jo tugged at her arm, trying to get her out of her seat.

“Go on Betty Jo. I’m not ‘bout to get up and embarrass myself. “Tali giggled.

“What? You don’t want Law to know you can’t dance? He don’t know you got the moves of them white folks.” She laughed.

“I can dance,” Talitha swore. “Can’t I Law?”

“I don’t know, love. Can you?” I teased.

“Come on Tali!” Betty Jo begged. “You know this was Mama favorite song.”

Shaking my head, I laughed. It was like Gema for her favorite song to be Brick House by The Commodores. “Go dance with your aunt.” I nudged her with my elbow.

Talitha hopped out of her seat and grabbed hands with her aunt. The two of them stood in the center of the patio and rolled their hips while giggling and singing the words to the song. Today had been sullen, from the time we woke up till we were leaving the graveyard, Talitha had been quiet. During the service, she shed quiet tears while staring at Gema’s casket. The only time she took her eyes off it was when the officiant calledher name. For the majority of the service, she sat with her elbows resting on her knees and head propped in her hand.

When it was time for her to view the body, I held onto her as we walked up to the casket. When she went to go put the bracelet on Gema’s wrist, she finally broke down. Watching her shoulders shudder as she bawled her eyes out broke my heart. It brought me back to the day I’d buried my father. I couldn’t fathom being in that position for a second time so once Talitha was done grieving I knew I needed to work harder at mending my relationship with my own mother.

It was time for me to truly forgive and move on, and by forgive I mean by allowing her the chance to be in my life in the present.

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