Page 54 of Tyriq & Teaira
“Ma, you look gorgeous today. This blue dress is really pretty on you, especially with your braids up like that,” I tell her and her entire face lights up.
“You think so?”
“Yeah. I know so. Let’s go in so we can eat. My car for the airport will be here at three.”
Quay actually beats us inside the house and we walk in right behind her. The A La Carte server walks over holding two glasses of champagne. My mom takes the one extended to her and when Quay reaches for the second glass and my mom slaps her hand.
“It’s sparkling cider for the young lady,” the server says.
“Oh okay. That’s fine.”
My mom nods and Quay takes the glass. I look around for Teaira but they are not in the living room. Right when I’m about to walk toward the dining room, I see her and her mom coming up the stairs from the game room. They both break out into their identical smiles when they spot us.
“Ma, Quay, this is Teaira,” I start.
“Mrs. Hill, I’m so happy to finally meet you,” Teaira says before wrapping her arms around my mom. “Happy Mother’s Day.”
“No. Call me Latisha. Mrs. Hill makes me sound old,” my mom says, her voice back to normal. “Happy Mother’s Day to you too,” she says.
Quay’s neck practically snaps when she turns to look at me. I hadn’t told her because I assumed my mom did. Clearly, she didn’t and Quay’s little ass is mad. She shoots me a mug then rolls her eyes, hard as hell.
“You have a child?” Quay asks.
“Not yet,” Teaira says, simpering. “But in November I…we will.”
“You’re gonna be an auntie,” I say and she rolls her eyes again.
“But I’m the last one to know?” she snaps. My little sister is really pissed at me.
“My bad, Quay. I wanted to wait until today,” I lie, hoping to smooth this shit out. Her little spoiled ass isn’t having it though.
“Not cool, Tyriq.”
“Don’t be mad at him. We just wanted to wait,” Teaira says, backing me up.This is why I love her.“Can I still get a hug?” Teaira asks with open arms.
Quay hugs her then Teaira introduces her mom. Our mothers hug and Miss Diane grabs my mom’s hand. “Wait until you see our rooms upstairs. I’ll show you before we eat,” she says while they walk off.
“And I’ll show you where you will be. The entire third floor is yours. Wait until you see what’s down there,” Teaira says to Quay. Then she looks at me and winks, letting me know she’s got my sister. “Get their bags while I take her down then we can eat.”
While they all take tours, I go out and grab their three bags and bring them inside. We are all seated at the table by one-fifteen and eating. I don’t know if it’s the champagne or just Teaira and her mom’s outgoing personalities but my mom is talking her head off. All of that nervous shit from before is gone and she’s having fun. She and Miss Diane have practically planned the baby shower and she’s joined the gender reveal team. It’s a losing team because my baby is not playing about not wanting to know the gender.
Quay’s forgiven me too. Her anger was gone as soon as she saw that game room and her space while she’s here. She now wants to switch her birthday from the cooking class to a stay here with her and her friends.
“Would anyone like some bourbon pecan bread pudding? It’s served with a scoop of homemade bourbon butter pecan ice cream,” the champagne server asks.
“I do,” Quay answers first, followed by yeses from Miss Diane and my mom.
“No. I’m good,” I admit, then stand. “Imma go get my bags together while y’all eat that. My ride will be here in thirty.”
“You need me to help you?” Teaira asks.
“Nah, bae. Eat your dessert.”
After pecking her forehead, I leave them in the dining room then head to the kitchen. They are packing the remaining food into containers and preparing the dessert plates. The lead one looks up.
“You have three more meals until five tomorrow evening. Do you have the times and meal requests?”
“No. Teaira will handle it. Just get with her and do whatever she says. And thanks for today. Everything was straight.”
