Page 80 of Defending the Post
I agreed as I scanned the area and found Mom introducing Erin and Toni. The rage I worked hard to suppress re-emerged as I balled my fists.
“Walk it off. I’ll talk to Niecy,” Pops said, and I back tracked down the path to cool down.
I wandered until I found the front office and sat on the bench. The rows of green grass almost put me in a better mood.
“Marquise.”
Turning, I found Erin standing in a flower printed dress hugging every curve. Today was the first time I’d ever seen her in something outside of jeans or trousers.
“Yes, baby?” I said.
“I’ve been looking for you. They are ready to serve the brunch.”
I sat back on the bench, deciding whether I wanted to go back. Erin must have sensed the struggle because she didn’t hesitate sitting next to me.
“Does this have something to do with Toni?” she asked, and I kissed her hand.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose as I weighed on my decision to discuss my trauma. A part of me feared telling her my true thoughts about Toni. Most people shied away from people who didn’t care for their mother. Somewhere the narrative of them being terrible parents wasn’t popular.
“I’m tired of her. I want my old family back. Why can’t she go away? I’m in an impossible situation. If I push too hard, I could lose my brother, but I can’t do this shit anymore. Can we leave?”
Erin agreed with a head shake, and I called the car. Before we pulled away from the vineyard, I opened the family group chat.
Me
Mom Happy Mother’s Day. I will stop by later with your gift. Love you.
In less than two minutes, my phone sounded, but I sighed not wanting to explain to people why I left.
Mom
Marquise, what’s wrong?
Ivey
Quise, are you okay?
Malcolm
Bro.
Pops
I got you.
Me
I’m good. Love y’all.
I closed out the message thread and held hands with Erin.
Erin
I listened to Marquise snore as he rested underneath me. He’d been quiet since we left the vineyard. Jhae texted me and I assured he was okay without exposing what he shared with me. Marquise hinted at his trauma but to witness it firsthand was something different.
When Anissa introduced Toni as Marquise’s biological mother, I was speechless. It wasn’t until then I noticed the similarities in their facial features. The interaction in the lobby made perfect sense as to why the atmosphere was tense. Tonicarried a sadness in her eyes when talking about Marquise. It broke my heart as I could sense the longing she held for him.
The truth was, he wasn’t the only person with family drama. I carried my own baggage, and I couldn’t ask him to address his but ignore my own. Marquise shifted, so I reached for my phone. I shuffled through my contacts until I landed on my mother’s name.
