Page 61 of Krash & Bern

She wiped her hands on a towel and closed the distance between us. “You’re not weak, baby girl. You held on until you found a window to escape. Despite all the bad you underwent, you still managed to create and sustain a successful business. I will always be proud of my baby girl.”

“I know, but during that time… he made me feel like he was the only person who loved me. He was an important aspect to getting in the rooms to get my business started. In the beginning, it felt right—he felt right. Then things changed, and he broke me to pieces. When I finally escaped, I thought I did a great job of keeping him away from me… but he found a way to me anyway.”

I was tired of crying, but my parents made me feel like a child again. Their love hugged my soul in the perfect way. I leaned into her touch and allowed her warmth to soothe the ache in my chest.

“I’m sorry, Mama. I’m going to keep you informed from now on. You won’t miss a beat or milestone in my life moving forward. Hopefully, I never have to go through something traumatic like that again.”

“He won’t ever have access to you again. If I ever catch him, I’ll have his ass snatched up and shanked. I know Krash won’t ever hurt you either. That young man has a look in his eyes that only a mother can see. I trust you with Krash, so I’m glad the two of you rekindled that relationship.”

“Mama, please.”

“It’s true. At the wedding, I’m going to let everyone know I saw this coming long before either of you did.”

I laughed. “Okay, Ma.”

“Is dinner ready?” Daddy asked as he and Krash joined us in the kitchen. He walked over to Mama and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pecked her lips, and she grinned like a woman in love. After all these years, they remained in love with each other. It was a blessing to grow up in a safe and nontoxic household.

“Yes. Y’all go wash up for dinner. By the time y’all come back, plates will be made.” Mama kissed her man before she turned to switch off the knob to the stove.

Krash licked his lips. “I’m gon’ sleep good tonight.”

I laughed. “You and me both, man.”

Krash and Daddy went to wash their hands while me and Mama filled the bowls with rice and gumbo. We had a good routine to get all four bowls full and at the table. As I set the final bowl on the table, the men returned, and we said a quick grace before we dug in.

For a long moment, the only sounds in the room were our spoons tapping the bowls, the slurps of the crab legs, and the hum of the television in the other room. This was what I needed, good company and great food to soothe my nerves.

“Thank you for such a delicious meal, Mrs. James.” Keyshawn was the first to break the silence.

“No problem, Krash. I’m glad you enjoyed the meal.” Mama smiled as she wiped her fingers with a napkin.

“Since someone else broke the silence… Daddy, what did you and Krash talk about in the den?” I asked with a smile on my face.

Daddy shook his head and chuckled. “It ain’t none of your business.”

I frowned. “So, what you’re saying is you hate me?”

“Women are so dramatic,” Daddy commented with a shake of his head.

I dropped my spoon as I gasped heavily. My mouth nearly hit the floor as I clutched my chest. “Mama! You heard what yo’ man said? He said he hate me, and he want me to leave.”

Everybody at the table cracked up. Daddy shook his head. “If you must know, nosy, I just told him to take care of you. You both have been through trying times, and y’all need to heal properly. I told him as black men, we often shy away from therapy and talking about our problems, but it’s not a sign of weakness to want to get help from trauma, no matter how old it is.”

I poked out my bottom lip. “Aww! I love that.”

“I told him my therapy has always been releasing my anger onto my opponents in the ring. When this is all over in January, I’ll have to find a new outlet. He gave me some recommendations on therapists to try who are patient with black men.”

“Now y’all want to make me cry!” Tears welled in my eyes.

“Damn, Bern. You been emotional as hell today.”

“Who you telling?” I replied.

My emotions had been higher than usual.

“Oh? Emotional… Hips getting wider… Skin glowing. If I have a dream about some fish, I’m gon’ know something.” Mama tapped her finger on her chin while she examined me from afar.

I frowned. “Please don’t speak any babies in my uterus just yet.”

---