I’d prepared myself for the title, so it didn’t sting as much hearing it expel from his lips, but I did feel a stab of pain from the mention. Nonetheless, pleasantries had to be paid.
“Jenna!” I greeted with an inviting smile—something else I’d prepared. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I didn’t want to say finally because that would have implied that I kept tabs on Stenton’s personal life, which I did, but no one needed to know that; not even him.
Her regard to me was as timid as her gaze. She, too, gave me an appreciative once-over. I could tell she had an impression of me. What it was, I didn’t exactly know. Jenna was older than me. In fact, she was older than Stenton. She was a mahogany-cased woman with long hair that she had scooped straight back, draping over her neck, reaching her scapula bones. Jenna was a few inches taller than my five-foot-five stature. She wore minimal makeup and quite honestly, she needed none. It was obvious that she had good skin care. I knew this from the next introduction.
“Maggie,” Stenton called out to the woman still seated at the table, fixedly observing me. “This is my son’s mother, Zoey. Zoey, Maggie is Jenna’s mother.”
I extended my hand to her as I corrected, “I’m Jordan’s mother, Zoey. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maggie.”
I didn’t relish the title of Stenton’s son’s mother. It wasn’t too dissimilar to Stenton’s baby’s momma. Ilk! That so wasn’t me. I caught the reception of my rebuke in Stenton’s eyes. But I ignored it by turning my attention back to Maggie. I knew Jenna couldn’t have inherited her flawless skin from her mother because her mother’s casing resembled that of a reptile. She had lumps and dents throughout her face and neck.
Hmmmm...
“Mrs. Brown,” the elder woman insisted.
“Pardon me?” I asked, noticing her looking me up and down, too. Only hers was set in a glower.
Maggie…or Mrs. Brown wasn’t easy on the eyes in the least bit. I’d immediately hoped with her spooky regard she wouldn’t be the cause of Jordan’s nightmares.
“My name is Mrs. Brown to you. Only friends can call me by my first name.”
“Mother!” Jenna hissed, appearing visibly embarrassed.
“That’s fine. I totally get it,” I put my hand up to assuage Jenna. “We are by no means friends, and that is perfectly understood by me,” I spoke directly to Maggie.
The table went silent. I noted Stenton’s jaw flexing. I didn’t want it to linger and start off an ugly meeting, so I added, “And this is my Jordan.” I gestured towards JR, who was resting comfortably in his dad’s arms. No matter the fact that he was almost school-aged, Stenton still held that boy.
Both women greeted Jordan. I was grateful that Maggie smiled kindly at my son. I didn’t want to have to cut her with my tongue. Jenna put more effort into her introduction; a little bit too much. She did way too much baby cooing to Jordan.
“Daddy, why is your friend talking like a baby? Is she two?” Jordan’s little face wrinkled bitterly.
Jenna blushed, my heart went out to her. When I thought Stenton would admonish him for being flippant with his girlfriend, his amused eyes said otherwise.
“That’s because when a dude is as fly as you, all the ladies want to be at your level.”
“Yeeeeah, boeeeeee!” Jordan high-fived his Dad.