“Yeah. I’ll be there. And by the way, my mother’s party was pretty successful, B.”
“Ahhh… I’m sorry, Zo. I should have asked about that. It’s just that it’s been a rough twenty-four hours since leaving you. Did you offer her my apologies for not being able to attend? I mean, I did before leaving, but I don’t know if she understood what this gig means to my career.”
Another gig you’re not being paid for and probably didn’t even sign at? Sure, she understands, B.
Ughhhhhhhh! I’m just stressed. I need to shake this off. Stenton can no longer be the thermostat of my emotions. I need to push forward.
“Yeah, I told her. Bernard, listen.”
“I’m here, but they’re calling me, sweets,” he warns.
“Let’s go away soon. Like somewhere tropical.”
“Ah, Zo, you know how tight money is right now. You know I’m working hard to give you the lifestyle you’re used to,” he goes into his usual underdog spiel.
“I’m not asking you to take me away. I’m proposing that we go away. We’ve never done that together. We can pay for it together. I’ll pay half. I don’t care. I just want to move us forward. Make our engagement official—” I suck back a cry rising from my belly.
There’s silence.
“Bernard?”
“I’m here, sweets. I’m just happy you want to finally do it.”
“I know, but it’s time. I think this trip alone will be good for us.”
“That’s fine by me. Hey, they’re calling me. I have to go. Plan the trip, but please…nothing too extravagant. I’d like to be able to pay my bills when we return.”
I roll my eyes and try to brush off the annoyance of his constant mentioning of money.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Go and have a good time, Bernard.”
“Thanks and love you, Zo,” he rushes.
“I—” I retract. “I’ll speak to you soon.” Then I disconnect the call and hop into the bathroom.
When I reach the kitchen, I notice it’s empty. Then I go out onto the back deck and see them sitting peacefully, taking in the open air. This place has been good for them. Their hearts never left South Carolina. They only ventured to Jersey for better opportunities for Ruth and me. They deserve the tranquility this place brings. Too bad I’m about to scratch the record on it.
“Hey.” I breathe weightily, not exactly confident about what I’m going to share.
“Afternoon, Zoey,” my dad greets.
“There you are. I was wondering when you’d show.” My mother’s smile is as comforting as I’ve always known it to be. “Thanks for yesterday. It was the best birthday, Elizabeth Ardell. I’m sorry it tore you down to the point of getting sick. I cleaned up the vomit there on the back staircase you tried to get up.”
Wh-what?
Stenton.
So, he tried to clean it up. This is what I need to share with them, but my mother’s still riding the wave of excitement from her party and won’t stop.
“I used a new cleaner Geraldine gave me a while back. She told me it helped when her grandbabies would mess her carpet. I wish I had it when Jordan was younger.” I pinch the bridge of my nose at my mother’s rambling. “I could have used it. I guess it came in handy with my big girl messing the carpet…”
“Momma, Stenton got me pregnant on purpose. Jordan wasn’t an accident.”