Page 47 of Soul Food

“Is that why you won’t leave here?” I frowned.

Her brown eyes flicked over me. “See why I don’t like you coming? When have I ever taken care of you for you to concern yourself with me?”

“Ma.” I smiled and took her hand. She faced the other direction purposely. “I’m alive, aren’t I? I wouldn’t be here right now if you hadn’t at least done something for me growing up. I’m not cut out to hold grudges. I don’t hate you. I don’t even hold any kind of resentment toward Liz, and she deserves my hatred. I’m just not an angry person. Maybe you made me this kind of person, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”

When she peered at me this time, there were tears in her eyes, or the shimmer of them in the making. “I don’t like that about you, Ruth! I hate that you remind me of myself when I was younger. Being kind makes you depressed and being a gentle person in this world feeds that depression.”

I got up from my chair, sat down on the bed with her, and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry. I wish I could have been enough for you then, but you can let me be enough now.”

She sucked in a breath. “Oh, Ruth.” She finally wrapped her arms around my back. “You were the only thing that kept me from drowning completely.”

“Let’s get you out of here.”

“I like myself in here.” She gave me one of those glares I’d grown accustomed to. “What if I revert back in the real world?” Leave it to Ma to be mean-looking when she was afraid.

“You’ll be the same. I know it. You healed yourself all on your own.” I stared up at her face as she pulled away from me. “I fulfilled my dream Ma, and now, I can take care of you.”

She nodded vigorously through her tears. I had no idea when I came here today, I’d get her to leave. I wiped my own eyes as I grinned at her.

She didn’t know what she just did for me. I finally broke through to her just in time. Because I was out of it.

_______

“Change of plans, Jayne.” I said the second she answered her phone. My plans had been to meet The Oppressors this evening, but I sent a text the moment Ma told me she’d leave, and I wasn’t wasting a second.

“What’s going on?” I could hear the worry in her voice.

“Ma is coming home with me.” I smiled as I told her.

“Are you serious, Ruth? Oh my God that’s amazing!”

“I know.” Rupert was there by my side the moment I stepped outside to finish the call. “She doesn’t want to stay with me at all. I’ve managed to convince her for tonight, but I need you to call and get her electricity and everything else hooked up ASAP and bring over a catalog for her to pick out her furniture.” I bought her a house not far from mine years ago.

She squealed in my ear. “Okay, I’ll call right now. This is so exciting! I know this is supposed to be a mother-daughter bonding moment, but you two are not getting rid of me tonight. I’ll bring the ice cream and chick flicks.” I hung up, shaking my head.

“What are you so happy about?” Rupert was grinning himself. That was the thing about smiles. They could be contagious if people would let them.

“Finally convinced her to leave.”

“It was only a matter of time, Ruth.” He patted my back affectionately. “You have a way with people. I think your mom knows that. It’s why she gives you a hard time. I’m happy for you.”

______

“How have you not seenThe Notebook?” Jayne was in disbelief as she gawked at Ma.

“I can already tell if you like it, I’m going to hate it.” Ma crossed her arms and scowled at Jayne.

I beamed at Ma. I was so happy she was here. We sat on my sofa as Jayne stood by the TV still blinking in shock. She was in charge of the movie picking because she was the movie geek. She also had a love for music which was how she found herself working with me. She had been a rambling fool when she first started working for me. I had been wary about her at first thinking that she wouldn’t be capable since she felt too much like a fan. She proved me wrong countless times over.

“Now Barb, I know that’s a lie you old hateful woman.” Jayne started the movie and then left the room. She came back out a minute later with a tub of ice cream and three spoons. “See how fun this is?” She talked to Ma as she walked around the sofa and flopped down between us. Jayne looked at her then me. “What?” She had an awfully cheesy grin on her face. “Can’t I sit here?”

I chuckled while Ma picked up her legs and tucked them underneath her ass—the same way I did—and sighed. “She’s making me exhausted.”

Jayne took that as a compliment. I could tell. And by the hidden twinkle in Ma’s eyes as Moose rested his head in her lap, I hoped she didn’t regret her decision. I hadn’t felt this content in my entire life.

________

AMIT

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