Page 20 of Enough

Jaden’s arms moved up Claudia’s back, his palm gripping her head as he pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was magical. Somewhere between a fairy tale and a dream. Soft lips sealed in a seductive caress that took Claudia to a breathtaking oblivion. Paparazzi jumped out of nowhere, crowding their space. Bulbs of light flashed as Jaden deepened the kiss.

Claudia’s tongue slid in his mouth and sautéed with his tongue. The wet and warmth of their salsa felt like a free fall. It was only when a camera man stood between their personal space that Jaden pulled back. His hand shot out, and his brows knocked together in a frown as he shoved the disrespectful photographer back. The man stumbled and fell to the ground. With swiftness, Jaden stepped back, covering Claudia until she’d made it safely inside her Toyota.

Jaden shut the door and strolled back to the driver side of his Lamborghini sliding into the heated leather seats. He closed the door and dialed Claudia. She answered turning to look at him through her window.

“I apologize for the paparazzi,” he said. “Lock your doors and drive straight home. Call me when you get there.”

“Okay,” was all she said before ending the call. Still breathless from such an explosive kiss, Claudia made an effort to gain her bearings. She put the car in drive and pulled away from the curve. Driving through the winding streets of downtown Chicago, her mind remained with him. Claudia could still taste the tang of his tongue and the suction of his lips. She closed her eyes briefly still trying to steady her fast-paced heart.

“Lord have mercy,” she said out loud. This thing between them was undeniable, and Claudia wondered how she would ever let him go when the time came.

Opening the door to her mid-century modern home, Claudia glided through the entrance and hung her purse on the doorknob. The house was dark, and all was silent with the exception of a TV that quietly ran in a back room. Trying to shake off thoughts of Jaden, Claudia traipsed down the hallway, past the kitchen and living area to her mother’s room. Sitting slumped on the couch, Adeline Stevens light snores whispered from her nose, and her glasses sat crooked on top of it.

In front of Adeline on the table was a half a glass of water and a single pill. Claudia exhaled a deep sigh. Her mother hadn’t taken her blood pressure pill even after Claudia set the alarm to go off at 6:30 p.m., for Adeline. It seemed her mother was doing a lot of that these days. If Claudia weren’t personally around to feed Adeline the pills, they’d never get taken, which frustrated Claudia more than anything.

The TV was stationed on the news channel, and the weatherman was talking about sunny skies tomorrow afternoon. Claudia went to her mother and rubbed a hand down her shoulder and back speaking gently.

“Mom.”

Adeline stirred but didn’t rise. Claudia shook her with a heavy hand.

“Mom.”

“Humph, what is it?” Adeline responded with her eyes still closed.

“You didn’t take your medicine.”

Adeline’s aging eyes crinkled then fluttered opened; the gray in her tendrils mashed to the side of her face. “Girl, you didn’t wake me up about no medicine, did you, because that’s just rude.”

Claudia considered her for a moment. “It’s rude not to take your medicine when that’s what it’s here for. You don’t want to give your favorite child a heart attack if something happens to you because you failed to take it, do you?”

Adeline sighed and sat up straight, stretching her short arms as she yawned. “Chile, gone with the dramatics will you. Ain’t nothing about to happen to me that God didn’t plan. So whatever He wants, His will be done.”

Claudia sat down slowly next to her mom. “Don’t blame your stubbornness on God. These pills are here to help you, and deciding not to take them is taking the life God gave you for granted.”

Claudia was good with turning the tables on her mom. Adeline always had a reference about God, but she only used them when they benefited her the most. Adeline waved her off. “You think you’re cute with that little comment don’t cha?”

Claudia grinned. “Come on, let me help you get into bed, and watch your step.”

Adeline looked over her child. “I’m old, not senile.”

“Of course, mama.”

Adeline got to her feet with Claudia’s help, and moseyed over to the queen size bed flanked with a Serta mattress that Adeline was adamant about getting; dubbing it the best sleeping mattress in the world.

After helping Adeline get comfortable, Claudia went back for the pill and the glass of water. “Take your medicine.”

Adeline waved her off. “I don’t need that. I’m going to sleep now, leave me alone.”

“Mama, take your medicine.” Claudia’s voice rose, and Adeline peered at her.

“Who you raising your voice to, chile?”

Claudia slumped, defeated. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice, mom. I just need you to please, take your medicine.”

Adeline pursed her lips and sat up taking the glass of water and pill from Claudia’s hand. Claudia watched carefully to make sure she swallowed before replacing her frown with a smile.

“Thank you, mama.” She kissed Adeline on the cheek. “I love you.”

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