Page 52 of I Changed for You
It was just like Erika to be the one who opened her mouth.
Melijah rubbed my thigh under the table. “Nah, it’s cool. My food may not be for everybody.” He chuckled. “But before you judge, you should taste it.”
We started eating when my father opened his mouth to ask Melijah what he did for a living.
“I own a car wash and am in the process of opening another one. My grand opening is in two more weeks,” Melijah proudly stated.
My mother’s eyebrow shot up. “Which car wash do you own?”
Melijah told her. “Jah’s Suds &Wash.”
I beamed happily at him.
My mother’s eyes widened. “Oh my! I love that car wash! Your business offers great service, and the staff you’ve hired does such an amazing job every time I visit. I love the car packets too. I haven’t opened some of them.” My mom chuckled.
Melijah laughed. “It’s all good. Thanks. I’ll be sure to tell them you said that.”
I almost sighed in relief.
“You look so familiar to me. Are you kin to someone named Melisa Hall?” Erica asked him.
He slowly nodded. “Yeah, that’s one of my older sisters.”
Erin and Erica’s eyes widened.
“Oh, cool. We went to school with her. We hadn’t kept in contact with each other, but when we see each other out, it’s good vibes,” Erin voiced.
“I’ll be sure to tell her you asked about her.”
My father frowned as his eyes bounced from Melijah to me. “Hall? Your last name is Hall? I went to school with a couple of Halls. Someone who owns a boating business.”
Melijah smiled brightly. “My father owns a boating business. He travels the world with them when someone wants to buy one.”
“He’s a good man, a very good man. I need to talk to him about a few things.” My father reached into his business suit and pulled out a card. He never leaves home without his business cards. “Make sure he gets this and tell him to give me a call.”
Melijah nodded and took the card. “Yes, sir.”
The rest of the dinner went by in a blur. I could admit that I enjoyed myself to the fullest. My family liked Melijah and didn’t have anything bad to say. At first, it was rocky, but it turnedaround. I was happy they weren’t standoffish with him, unlike my friends. That made me so happy.
When dinner was over, we all pitched in to help with the cleanup. Melijah and my father went to talk, leaving us girls alone in the kitchen after a while.
“I really like your boyfriend, Elianna,” my mother stated, looking at me.
I smiled proudly. “Thanks, Mama. I really like him too. And I’m glad you like him. That’s something I thought I’d never hear you say,” I admitted with tears in my eyes.
She walked over to me. “Elianna, I’ve always wanted what was best for you. As your mother, I never want to see any of my children fail. You’re very different from your sisters, but I love you just as much as I love them. I’m sorry if it seemed like I wasn’t there or wasn’t trying to be a part of your life. You were always in my thoughts and prayers.”
Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at my mother. Did she really just say that?
Erin and Erika circled me too. Erika gave a small smile. “I guess I owe you the biggest apology, huh?”
I chuckled through my tears. “No, it’s all forgiven. I just want a hug from my big sister.”
She stretched out her arms, and I went into them and sobbed. When it came to my sisters, Erika was the one I always looked up to. No matter how wronged she treated me. I had always wanted her approval for anything I did. I would cherish the hug I received from her forever.
“I’m so sorry, Elianna, for the things I said about you and even the way I judged you. I’m so damn sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I told her.
