Page 35 of One Good Reason

Shaking my head, I stood from the island and trekked upstairs. Gema and Mrs. Jessie clicked so easily because the two of them were just alike. If it wasn’t Gema, then it was Mrs. Jessie bossing my ass around. I knew better than to argue with her so I strolled into my room to shower and put on my pajamas before going to join them in Gema room.

This morning I woke up to a call from Law informing me that we were going to leave at noon instead of two as previously discussed. Thank God Mrs. Jessie decided to stay over last night after getting Gema down because I had thechance to pack my bags. Since I didn’t have the opportunity to spend much time with her last night seeing as I didn’t get home until pass evening, I decided to get her dressed and bring her out for breakfast.

I had invited Mrs. Jessie to join us but she declined, citing that this special time was reserved for just Gema and I. One of Gema favorite breakfast spots was Thumbs Up Diner but the only location she liked was the one downtown in East Point; so that’s exactly where I brought her. After ordering our food, I did a quick sweep around the packed restaurant before deciding to pick her brain. Trying to see if I could bait her to tell me what she had mentioned to Mrs. Jessie yesterday.

“So, Gema, how you feel about me going out of town?”

“How I’m supposed to feel ‘bout it Tali?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged passively. “You not worried about me going out of state without you?”

“No. Am I supposed to? I thought you was going with your boss.”

“I am,” I confirmed. “I don’t know Gema. I figured you would have reservations.”

“No Tali. You need this break.”

“You do know this is business.” I giggled.

“Hell, I hope this business can turn into something personal. Maybe you’ll meet a man up there. Lord knows you could use the distraction.”

Tossing my head back, I laughed. “Gema, why would you say that?”

“Ain’t it the truth?”

“Bertha Mae!” I shrieked. “I don’t need a distraction. And I’m not trying to meet anybody.”

“You ought to wanna.” She laughed. “Somebody needs to get you up and out the house err now and again.”

“If I’m out of the house, who’s gonna take care of you?”

“I can take care of myself,” she stated matter-of-factly. “And if I can’t, that’s what you pay Jessie for.”

“Mrs. Jessie got a life of her own.”

“Umph,” she huffed. “Seems like everybody but you got one.”

“Bertha Mae, you know you wrong for that.”

“You need to have some babies, Tali. At least while I’m around to help you take care of ‘em.”

“Who says I wanna have babies?”

“You like bossing me around like I’m your child. Surely you need a few of your own.”

“Lady, I am not trying to be nobody’s mama.”

“Could’ve fooled me. You and Litha ain’t nothing alike. Just cause she messed up with ya’ don’t mean you gon’ do the same to yours.”

“I know that. Look at you. You raised her and the two of you are nothing alike.”

“You got damn right we not!” Gema bellowed. “She got them ways from ya’ grandaddy side. But still Tali, I see how ya’ eyes light up when you talk ‘bout them chirren down at that center. I know you got love in that heart to give to somebody else.”

“And I give it all to you,” I crooned.

“Need to give it to a man. You too cute to be playing with that toy in ya’ night stand every night.”

“Bertha! How you know what’s in my nightstand?”

---