Page 32 of Sour Brew Face

“You’ve proven that, Mo. I can’t tell you what it does for me to know I always have you in my corner. I want to be that for you…in time, I hope I can give you that same comfort.”

There’s nothing to say to that. It will take time. He flicks his turn signal, smoothly gliding the vehicle down an exit ramp. My stomach flutters with nerves, knowing we’re close to his dad’s house.

We sit in relatively comfortable silence as he drives through city streets, then neighborhoods, before pulling into a long driveway. The house is ranch style, suiting the large spread of land surrounding it. Langston parks, gets out and rounds the hood to open my door. I unbuckle and take his proffered hand as he helps me out of the passenger seat. Once I’m on my feet and the door is closed, he frames my face with his large hands and descends slowly, giving me the chance to stop him if I’m not ready. But I am ready. I want to feel his lips on mine, inhale his breath and share my own, connect in a way that I desperately need to ground me in this moment. And he doesn’t disappoint. The kiss is tender and quick, but no less potent and meaningful.

Taking my hand, he leads me up the sidewalk to the double red doors. He rings the doorbell and only moments later my future opens the door, showing me that if Langston and I can work this out, I won’t be disappointed in the least as we grow old together.

“Lang!” The man engulfs Langston in a big hug, holding on for long moments, before releasing him. “Is this her?” Langston barely nods, before I’m brought into a broad chest and smothered with fatherly affection. “Mary Opal, it is so wonderful to meet you!”

“Rob, let her go, I won’t meet her while I’m giving CPR to the poor girl.” A warm female voice comes from behind Langston’s dad and Lang chuckles next to me. I’m abruptly let go and then immediately pulled into another hug, this one filled with motherly warmth. Tears prick my eyes as I realize I’ve never had this. Not once in my life, have I ever been hugged like this. I could get used to it if I’m not careful.

“Oh dear, you’re even prettier than he described.” Veronica, I assume, gushes over me when she pulls back enough to look at my face. There is no judgement in her dark eyes, nor any in the slate eyes of his father. Only happiness, excitement. I imagine this is surreal for them both, being active in Langston’s life when they had thought it impossible only a week ago.

“Only because,” Langston defends himself, laying his arm across my shoulders and tugging me into his side, “there are no words to adequately describe her beauty.”

I glance up at his face, open and loving, and rub the tip of his nose. “You’ve got a brown smudge right…there.”

Veronica claps and Rob throws his head back and laughs. “Lang, I like her. Come in, come in. Emerson and his gang will be here soon. I told him you were coming up after I got your text message.”

“Thank you for welcoming me into your home. It’s lovely.” I say honestly, looking around as we walk through a foyer, into a comfortable living room.

“You are welcome anytime, Mo, may I call you Mo? Or do you prefer Mary Opal?” I wave off Rob’s concern.

“Can I call you Rob or do you prefer Mr. Reynolds?” I counter and he laughs again.

“Rob is fine, and this is Veronica.” His wife grins at me.

“V, Ronnie, whatever you prefer.” I nod.

“Mo is good. Sister Nadine is the only one who routinely calls me Mary Opal.” I answer without thinking and immediately wish I could take it back.

“Are you Catholic?” V asks with a glint in her eye.

“I was raised in the foster system, mostly in a group home. It wasn’t Catholic based, but there were several nuns who volunteered their time. Sister Nadine and I bonded early on, and she’s been the one constant in my life.”

V stands from her husband’s side on the couch and squeezes in next to me on the loveseat with Langston. Grabbing my hand, she squeezes, “I’m glad you had someone like that in your life. I wished I’d had someone like that during my time in the system.” My jaw drops as I take in her meaning. She smiles sadly, “My parents died when I was 8, and we had no other family in the States.”

Overwhelmed, I throw my arms around her slim neck and hold on tight. She wraps hers around me and holds on just as tight. We stay like that for several moments, while Langston and Rob chat. I pull back first.

“Thank you for sharing that with me…it means a great deal.”

In a hoarse whisper, she says, “You aren’t alone, mija, I’m here anytime. And so is Rob and Emerson and all of us. You brought Langston home and we can never repay you for what you’ve given us.” I lose my fight with the tears as I watch several fall from V’s shiny eyes.

“He’s given me just as much.” I reply and she nods.

The front door opens after a perfunctory knock and our moment is over. But I know I will treasure it for the rest of my life.

A man slightly taller and broader than Langston walks into the room with a little boy on his hip. A short woman follows, well, her belly follows first, another little boy, slightly older than the first, holding her hand. A beautiful family.

“Unca Lang!” The older boy yells, letting go of his mommy and running to Langston at full speed. Lang scoops him into his arms and raises him high in the air, as he squeals. My heart skips a beat watching him with his nephews. How open is heart is to them, how elated he is just to be a part of their lives.

“Unca! Unca!” The other boy wiggles in his daddy’s arms and as soon as his feet hit the floor, he’s off like a shot to wrap his pudgy arms around Lang’s legs.

“Hey boys! I missed you so much I couldn’t stay away. And I brought a friend for you to meet.” Langston says with a happy grin, pointing to me to draw the boys attention. They both eye me with wide eyes and curious brows.

I drop down to my knees on the carpeted floor and hold out my hand to shake to the oldest. “Hello, my name is Mo, what’s yours?” Hesitant fingers touch mine.

“Lange Reynolds.” So formal. I turn to his little brother.

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