“Uhh-huhn. She ain't too tiny like them other Hollywood types. I see a lil meat on her,” Momma D's tone was suspicious. She reluctantly reciprocated and greeted Rayna.
“Momma D, that's because I'm not from Hollywood. I'm from right across the bridge…Jersey,” Rayna cajoled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Azmir had so many good things to say about you. I hear you’re a woman about your business. I’m ready to throw down.” She continued stroking Momma’s ego and with much success.
Momma D turned around to Ed, her younger brother, who followed her around like a shadow, and shouted, “Eddie, get this girl here a number four.” She jerked her head back to Rayna who is now wearing an expression nothing short of confusion and asked, “You eat cheese on yo grits?”
Rayna slowly nodded and quickly informed, “...and eggs.”
“Shit!” Momma D popped back in excitement. “Eddie, make that a number four wit' cheese all the way.”
Rayna had won her over. Maybe this was a great idea after all. Momma D was special to me. She reminded me of happier times in my life. In fact, whenever I felt low about not having a family I would occasionally pop up here around the holidays for comfort food. It was always home here. I made sure she met her expenses and when things cut close I'd throw her a couple of bucks to stay afloat. She probably had no idea of my motive, but I knew why I valued her.
“Whatchu’ gone have, baby?” she snapped at me.
“My usual, princess.”
“Eddie, get Azmir Divine two sunny side up with blueberry cakes and beef bacon. Light on them eggs,” she turned and shouted.
After taking our drink order, she excused herself. Momma D didn't wait tables unless someone of special interest was there, which wasn't everyday. It was nice to be made felt special.
“She calls you by your full name,” Rayna observed with a soft smile.
“Always has.”
“It's nice to encounter people who know you.”
I chuckled at the thought. Very few actually knew me. How badly I'd wished Rayna knew me. I often found myself living in fear of her knowing all there is to know about me. I wanted to protect her from my truths forever while I spoiled her with all the happiness she deserved.
Minutes later our food came out. Rayna appraised her catfish, grits and eggs with cheese. My blueberry pancakes were on point as always. The sated feeling I got from devouring them never got old. Rayna, to my surprise, cleared her plate.
“Someone was hungry,” I teased.
“Someone has to impress Momma D. I know you caught her sizing me up,” Rayna shot back.
“I'm the only one around here sizing you up. And I so happen to know that you taste better than the food that once sat on that clean plate before you.”
She gasped as I heard Momma D yell out, “Yeah, Yazzy, he over there finishing up his food. Go on!”
I turned and looked behind me to find my mother sauntering over to our table. I rose from my chair and turned toward her. She looked exactly how I remembered her, only aged. She was just a few pounds heavier, but her posture was now lax. She now had a fixed defeated scowl on her face. She wore a velour sweat suit and black classic Reebok sneakers. I couldn't believe she still wore a gold nose ring and her head covering. Her expression initially was phlegmatic but the closer she got the more her face fell into a dark emotion. My heart trembled in my chest. My knees quaked.