Page 28 of Lily In The Valley
Mrs. Taylor handed her husband a bag, rubbing his back like the interaction between their friends was all routine.
When Kenneth went to grab the bag in Mrs. Risse’s hands, she snatched it away, walking away to place it on my desk. “A whole grown ass man throwing tantrums because his daughter, who’s successful in her own right, won’t bend to his will.”
Kenneth blinked. “I’m not”
“Khalil, come help me grab something from the car.”
I followed Kelly’s mother out of the office, meeting Kenneth’s jealous face with a cocky smirk of my own. Once we’d gotten to her car, I looked through the windows for whatever she’d wanted me to grab. All the seats were empty.
“It’s nothing there to get. I just wanted to talk to you without my drama king of a husband cutting in.” She laughed.
“I’m not worried about him. I’ll say what I need when I need.”
“I know,” she replied. “Let’s go sit on the bench over there.” Sitting down, I noticed Mrs. Risse was more resigned than I’d ever remember her being. When I was younger, she had this energy about her, much like her mother, Ms. Sonya. Now, it seemed as if Kenneth had sucked the essence from her to feed himself. What was left, she fed to Kelly.
“You talked to Kelly today?” she asked, peering at me with knowing eyes. “Of course you talked to her. You and her friends are her favorite people right now.”
I nodded. “You and Kenneth don’t give her much of choice in that matter.”
“She’s working herself to the bone,” she continued. “I can feel it in my bones. I tell her to slow down, but she won’t listen to me.”
“You know your daughter better than that, Mrs. Risse.” I laughed.
“She get that from her daddy. I never got their need for more,” she said. “Been the top all their lives and still act like they have something to prove. Like being the best is a never-ending quest.”
“That’s just how they are.”
“Exactly,” she said, worry clouding her eyes. “That’s the part that scares me. Not for Kenneth, but Lily-girl,” she said, bumping my shoulder with hers. “I’m scared she’s going to work herself to death. I put up with a lot so she could live easy.”
I looked down at my hands, reflecting on what Mrs. Risse said. Kelly lit up any room she walked in–classroom, kickback, hospital. The only times I saw her close to softening was when she was in my arms. A rare solar eclipse–brilliant, brief.
“She doesn’t know how to rest,” I said finally.
“I agree.” Mrs. Risse laughed. “My baby has all the book smarts, but slowing down? That’s foreign to her.” She let silence linger around us. “That’s where you come in.”
My gaze snapped to hers.
She looked at me–part challenge, part affection. “You love her.”
It wasn’t a question.
“I do.” I grinned.
She nodded her head up and down, a smile filling her face. “I didn’t need you to answer that. I know, been knowing for a while. When I walked on the porch after my mama passed and saw that look between the two of you.”
I blushed, knowing she was talking about the night Kelly and I first had relations.
“Don’t get bashful now. I would’ve cussed you out then, but it was crazy enough.” She laughed, then sighed. “I also know you’re the one that gave her that nickname Lily-girl.”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “Ms. Sonya said she wouldn’t say anything.”
“Boy, my momma couldn’t hold water when it came to Kelly. But we both saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“You,” she said. “You’ve been loving my daughter all these years. Patiently. Fully. Carefully waiting for her permission.”
I exhaled. “And she acts like she has everything handled. Like she doesn’t need anyone.”
