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Onyx stepped off the treadmill, grabbed her towel and water bottle, then approached me. “I don’t know. Does it matter now?”
“Yeah, it does. I…” My voice trailed off, not even knowing what I wanted to say. I was so confused.Why would she lie?
Onyx placed her hand on my shoulder. “Listen, I’m sorry you heard it from me. I’ll deny it if you throw me under the bus, though.” She lightly chuckled, but she was serious.
“Do you think she hates me?” My breath caught as I waited for an answer to a question that I wished I hadn’t asked.
She shook her head and gave me a small grin. “I don’t think she hates you, Mike. If anything, I think it’s quite the opposite, but she’s too damn stubborn to admit it. Here’s a wild idea…” She smirked. “Why don’t you talk to her?”
The thought sent a tight ball to my stomach. “I’m scared of what she’ll say.”
She smacked my arm. “Well, this ain’t high school. Either talk to her or be left in the dark. I gotta go shower. Mom and Dad’s later.”
“Sunday dinner. Tell your parents I said hey.”
“Why don’t you come with us?”
“Ha! No. If she doesn’t hate me now, she surely would if I went with you. Plus, I need to go see my parents. I got in late Friday and yesterday was busy. They’ll beat me if I don’t go soon.”
She sipped some water and nodded. “Well, you know Mom would love to see you. I’ll tell them you said hey, though. Give your parents a squeeze for me. Your mom comes to my salon.”
“Does she?”
“Yep, she’s a wonderful lady. She’s gotta be happy you’re back.”
“Yeah, at least one woman is.”
She squeezed my arm. “Hey, I’m glad to see you back. And Jaz is. Whatever is going on, I’m sure it’ll pass.” I patted her hand before she pulled away and left the rec room.
I grabbed the weights and finished my workout then headed home in the blazing heat before hopping in the shower. My parents didn’t know until the day before I was back in town. And I had really promised to see them.
***
I passed Jason’s old house on the way to my parents’. He lived on the same street growing up. My chest tightened and I slowed the car. Someone else lived there now and the paint was a different color, but it still pained me to see it. The front door opened, and a golden retriever bounded from the short steps with a middle-aged man not far behind him, so I pressed the gas. I didn’t want to seem like a creeper.
Just a few driveways down, I pulled into my parents’ and parked. I climbed from the car and leaned against the door once it closed. My heart filled with warmth as I took in the sight of the well-kept ranch with blue paint and white shutters. The grass was perfectly manicured and lots of yellow and orange flowers filled Mom’s flower bed by the sidewalk to the porch. Square bushes lined the house on either side of the steps leading to the long, covered front porch.
I hadn’t hit the first step when the door flew open and my parents stepped on the porch, Mom clasping her hands to her mouth as the corners of her deep brown eyes crinkled and filled with moisture. Dad’s huge smile took up his face.
I trotted up the stairs. Mom threw her arms around me, and I lifted her up, squeezing her and digging my face into her shoulder. She giggled as she squeezed me. She pulled back, her face alight with a huge smile, her black hair pulled into a tight bun with not one hair out of place. One stray tear rolled down her brown cheek. Her soft floral fragrance tickled my nose. She barely seemed to age a day since I saw her last.
Putting her down, I turned and wrapped my arms around Dad. He was as tall as I was, but much thinner. Although, he wasn’t a small man. He’d been compared to Denzel, but I don’t know how much Mom saying that counted. But he was handsome, and I got my rich complexion from him.
“Son, it’s so good to see you!” he sang out as he patted my back hard.
“I missed you guys.”
Mom opened the door and waved us inside. “I don’t know why you didn’t just stay here,” she said as we came in and closed the door.
“Because he’s a grown man, dear. That’s why.”
She waved him off and grabbed my arm, leading me to the kitchen. Just as I remembered. The bright kitchen was roomy and open. The large dining table was on one side with the same old China cabinet behind it. Plenty of food was laid out on the table.
“Hungry? I made some snacks before lunch.”
I chuckled. Nothing like a Southern woman and the meal before the meal. “Actually, yes ma’am. I worked out this morning so I’m starving.” I picked at the cheese and meats she laid out and she brought me a glass of sweet tea. I took a sip and my eyes rolled into my head. “Momma, I missed your tea.” I took another long drink. “They don’t have tea like this in Cali.”
She wrapped an arm behind me and pulled me close. “I am so glad you’re home.” I planted a kiss on top of her head. She could fit under my arm.
