Page 35 of Sour Brew Face

“I know, believe me. I’m not letting her go again.”

A few minutes later the door to the bar bangs open and my mother fills the doorway like an ominous harbinger of evil. Beelining to where I’m standing frozen in place behind the bar top, she slams her purse down and practically snarls at me. I’m thankful for the two feet or so of polished wood between us. For her safety as well as mine.

“Where have you been, young man? I have called you for days and texted. I even stopped by here and that ridiculous little man you have working here wouldn’t tell me anything about your whereabouts. Well?” She crosses her arms and glares at me, tapping her foot. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

I inhale a deep, cleansing breath, and then turn to Jesse who is watching the scene. “I’m giving you a raise. And a promotion. How does manager sound?” His pursed lips spread in a gracious smile, his eyes lighting up in excitement…until the sound of glass shattering draws our attention to the back wall where I have rows of liquor bottles displayed. Had…I guess, since they are now smashed to bits and littering the floor.

Mom seems a bit startled at her actions but stands firm behind the bar. “It is disrespectful to ignore someone when they are talking to you.”

“It’s also disrespectful to cause property damage.” I hear Jesse murmur before his voice trails off. He’s either moved back or the blood rushing through my ears is deafening in the otherwise silent bar. My focus narrows to my mother, and she wisely interprets whatever is on my face, as she makes a hasty retreat and resumes her position on the other side of the bar.

“You. Are. Not. Welcome. Here.” I spit out harsh and low, catching her by surprise. “How you can stand in front of me, preaching about respect, knowing the things you’ve done, the lives you’ve ruined…” I shake my head, trying to reign in my temper, since I’m still in my place of business with witnesses. “Get out. And don’t come back here again. Don’t call me. Don’t text me.”

“Langston! What is this about?” She flounders, trying to gain the upper hand again. It’s like seeing her for the first time. The veneer has worn away. “Is this about that Mary Opal girl? What did she tell you?”

“This isn’t about mygirlfriend, this is about finally opening my eyes and seeing what’s been in front of me my whole life. You can’t fathom what you’ve cost me. Years wasted, missed…I don’t ever want to see you again.”

“Excuse me?”

“Let me break it down for you using a simple math problem.” I lean my fists on the bar top and get in her face. “You had two boys, one moved away and the other stayed. Then he learned about what a malicious manipulative monster you are and now he’s leaving too. How many boys do you have left?”

The door opens again, but I pay it no mind as I watch the emotions flit across my mother’s eyes. “What did she tell you? Dammit, Langston, I’m your mother.”

“Not anymore.” A throat clears behind her and in my periphery, I see it’s a man my age in a police uniform.

“What can I do for you today, officer?” I ask, never taking my eyes off my mother.

“We received a call about a disturbance and destruction of property.” It takes great strength to look away from her, but I find Jesse biting his thumbnail next to the officer and I know he’s the one who called. Definitely a promotion.

“Yes, this woman here shattered my back wall of inventory.”

“Langston Mayes!” She starts.

“I’d like to press charges.” Her mouth opens and closes, and I don’t know how healthy it is that her eyes are bugging out like that.

“Ma’am. Please turn around.” A female officer steps into my view and guides me with a hand to the other end of the bar. I can hear my mother arguing with the officer, but I pay her no mind.

“Can you tell us what happened?” She asks, pulling out a notepad and pen.

“I can do you one better. I have video with sound.”

Mo 31.

“Lang, I’m so sorry.” And I am. Despite how I feel about his mother, I know this is hard for him. We’re sitting at my kitchen table eating dinner while he tells me about his run in with his mom.

“I just don’t understand how I didn’t see it before?”

“What little boy doesn’t want to protect his mom, doesn’t want to make her happy, doesn’t want her to love him? I hate to say it but given everything you’ve told me and what I’ve seen myself, your mom is scary impressive.” He gapes at me, so I hurry to explain. “She fooled a hell of a lot of people and manipulated everyone around her. It’s amazing she was able to keep it going for so long.”

“Can you wipe the hero worship out of your eyes, its ruining my appetite.” He grumps.

“Sorry, good, bad, or otherwise, I give credit when credit is due. What do you want to do now?”

“I want to finish this delicious dinner that you slaved over a cellphone to order and then I want to eat your sweet pussy.” I was not expecting that answer. Said pussy floods at just the thought.

“I meant, about your mom?” I reply huskily.

“Gross. We did not have that type of relationship.” I level him with an unamused glare. “Well, I pressed charges and I think you should too, regarding the slap heard round the office.” He sighs and it breaks my heart, “And I think I’ll need to apply for a restraining order. I’ll do that tomorrow before work.”

---