Page 12 of Heartless

“He can be pretty stubborn,” Kaia says.

“Either way, someone needs to make a stand for Danica. If Onyx won’t do it for his sister, then maybe I’ll have a conversation with Shep. Don’t get me wrong, he won’t do it, but he won’t stop me from doing it either,” Mak says.

“I’ll try to talk to Onyx again and maybe even his parents, too, though I just don’t know how much good it will do. My father-in-law, like my dad, firmly believes that his way is the only way. My mother-in-law, like my mama, loves the earth that man walks upon. I doubt she’ll go against him even for her own kid.”

“I have to give it to Mrs. Christina. She’s a great wife. She truly upholds the Proverbs thirty-one woman from all that I’ve seen,” Kaia says.

“I don’t recall the Proverbs thirty-one woman turning her back on her children,” Mak disagrees.

“You’ve got a point there,” Kaia nods emphatically.

“Well, let’s not focus on their problems anymore. Have you ladies seen the text that I sent this morning of my outfit for your performance, Meadow?”

When we shake our heads no and pull out our phones, Mak says, “Shep and I went shopping yesterday for what we’re wearing to your performance. Girl, I’ll be finer than the finest wines. Might even outshine you, Meadow. Not that I’m trying,” Mak says humbly.

Kaia and I laugh and then ooh and ahh over the beautiful orange dress that Mak is wearing in the picture and how it hugs all her curves perfectly.

“Chris and I will be there, too, love. You know that I’m so proud of you,” Kaia says, leaning sideways on her stool to hug me.

“Thanks, girl.”

“Will your parents be there?” Kaia asks.

“Yes, I’m expecting them to. But I know that they won’t sit anywhere near Onyx’s family so you may or may not see them.”

“It saddens me that when people are out here with real-life struggles like these people,” Mak says, waving her hand to the homeless population that we’re serving. “That there are people like your father who are picking obstacles to erect in their lives,” Mak finishes.

“It’s the kind of pressure that could place a strain on the family if we let it. Onyx and I choose not to let it, and neither do my brothers. We all let daddy sulk in his feelings for the most part, and if he gets too out of hand, Mama puts him right back into place. Girl, I don’t think I told y’all that I overheard a conversation between my youngest brother, Micah, and his then-girlfriend about Onyx’s proposal to me.”

“No, you didn’t. What happened?” Mak asks.

“When Onyx went to my father to ask for my hand in marriage because he knew it was important to my father, my dad said hell would freeze over before he gave him my hand in marriage.”

“Damn, that’s cold. And Onyx never told you?” Mak asks.

“Nope.”

“That man loves you. He simply wanted to protect you from the hurt,” Mak says.

“That’s what he said too.”

“How did you deal with that after you found out the truth?” Kaia asks.

“I never did. After I overheard the conversation, I went straight to Onyx rather than my dad or my brother. I wanted tosee if it was true. He confessed that it was and then I was going to go to my parents’ house. Onyx said that it wasn’t necessary. He said that what did it matter anyway when we were married? I pointed out that it obviously impacted my brothers.”

“But aren’t your brothers grown-ass men?” Mak asks.

“They are. Mark Jr. is thirty-nine, and Micah is thirty-five. Mark Jr. doesn’t get too involved with it, but Micah only wants to please my father so he stays away.”

“Either way, don’t let that stress you out because you’ve got a very important night coming up, and you’re living your dreams. Many people don’t get a chance to do that so don’t let other people’s shenanigans ruin your life. They’re grown, and they have to handle their emotions. That’s not your responsibility,” Mak says.

“When Mama and I had lunch the other day, she told me that Daddy grumbled about being there with the Maxwells, and he didn’t know why they had to come at all. She said he pouted like a little kid, but he would be there.”

“Girl, all men are little kids no matter how old they get. But no matter what he does, just know that Kaia, and though Yaya isn’t here, but I know that I speak for her too, the three of us have always got your back so don’t let the petty stuff get to you.”

Leaning toward my cousin-in-law, I wrap her in my arms and say, “Trust me, I won’t. I’m not letting that bother me. But thanks, sis.”

“Any time,” she says. “Besides, you’ll have the Maxwells there that night with a strong show of support.”

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