Page 88 of Until the Ink Dries

“You get drunk off this shit, don’t you?”

“I may or may not sing along to love songs and slow dance with myself at home.”

“Baby.”

“What! That’s my me time. Me, myself, and I have a good ol’ time. Once I move into my own space, you have to come slow dance with me.”

“Do I look like a slow dancing ass nigga to you, woman?”

“I’ll let you feel on my booty.”

He laughed out loud. “Don’t tempt me with a good time.”

“Just wait til’ you see it in my mumu.”

“You trying to trap me?”

“What! How?”

“Pops can’t keep his eyes off my mama when she wears that shit. He’s a man of few words, but that mumu gets him talking.”

I had to stifle my laughter. He seemed like a quiet man. I gathered that he was who Benny got his laid back temperament from.

We talked and joked around a little more until our food was brought out. After saying a quick prayer, we were preparing to dive in when a shadow appeared at our table. I looked up to see Mrs. Thompson standing there with her hands on her hips. Ellis walked over and tried to pull her away, but she brushed him off.

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here?” she said, glaring at me.

“Marcia, today is not the day and I am not the one,” I warned her. “Take your uppity ass on somewhere.”

“Mom, let’s just go,” Ellis pleaded, taking her arm.

“No,” she said, snatching away from him.

“No?” I parroted. I chuckled, but I didn’t find shit funny. “Ellis, get your mama.”

“Nobody has to get me, little girl. You are nothing but trash. Look at you. Sitting here with the next man when your relationship with my son is barely over. How whorish of you. You were never good enough for Ellis.”

“You want me to handle this, Willow?” Benny asked, sliding his chair back.

Ellis moved to stand in front of her. “I dare you to lay a hand on my mother.”

“It ain’t your mama that needs to be worried.”

“I got this, baby,” I said to Benny. Pushing my chair back, I stood to my feet. “Let me get this straight. I’m a whore because I’m here with my man after breaking up with your son almost two months ago? The same son that didn’t respect me as his woman? The same son that was too busy sucking your titty to stand up, be a fucking man, and put you in your place? You try to control every aspect of this man’s life and he’s so pathetic that he lets you do it.

“That’s exactly why he’ll forever be alone because no woman in their right mind would put up with your shit. Tell me, Marcia? Does being the woman you are keep your husband happy?”

“I’ve been married for forty years, honey. You could take a lesson from me on how to keep a man.”

I laughed. “Really? Because Ellis let it slip that the good doctor has quite a few side pieces and outside children.”

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped as she turned to Ellis, who refused to meet her gaze.

“Yeah, I know all about that. You see, when your son gets drunk, he gets loose at the lips. I know all of your family’s dirty laundry. So, while you’re standing here trying to belittle me for finally freeing myself,youcould learn a thing or two from me about that. I guess having a piece of a man is better than having no man at all, huh? You know what feels better? Having a man that’s only yours. Now, if you will excuse me. Me and my man are trying to have dinner. Pick your mouth up off the floor and get the fuck away from this table before you’re wearing my favorite wine.”

She stood there in complete disbelief. Ellis hesitated as he tried to reach for her again.

“Mother, let’s just go.”

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