Page 14 of Sour Brew Face

“I’d like to try that new Greek restaurant. You know how much I love tzatziki sauce and I want to see if theirs is any good.”

“Mom, I was actually going to surprise Mo with lunch.” There’s a beat of silence, a very heavy silence and I turn on my heels and place the cooler bag back on my kitchen counter.

“Well, if she didn’t know about it, then she won’t know you took me to lunch instead. I enjoy our time together. And besides, we should really talk, dear, especially if you are getting serious with this…girl.” I know that tone and I don’t like that tone. However, she’s right, I can surprise Mo tomorrow just as easily.

“Let me put the food away and I will pick you up shortly.” I wait until I’m off the phone to sigh. But like a dutiful son, I unpack my bag, and drive over to my mom’s.

She’s waiting for me on her front porch, and with a wave she walks down the sidewalk to my car. Her ankle is definitely feeling better if her little hop before she gets in is any indication. Mom leans over the console, and I meet her halfway to kiss her cheek in greeting.

She chatters about the neighbors, filling me on the gossip I’ve missed since I moved out. Why I felt the need to do that is beyond her. It would be so much cheaper just to live with her instead of hemorrhaging money on my apartment. This isn’t the first time she’s told me this, it won’t be the last. I listen just enough to know how and when to respond, but my mind is on a certain beautiful chemist.

When we get to the restaurant, mom waits until the waiter has taken our orders and brought our drinks before she grabs my hand across the table and meets my eyes with a serious glint.

“I’m worried about you, Langston. You seem preoccupied. Is it about Mimi?” I stare at her in confusion before I shake my head.

“Mo. Her name is Mary Opal; everyone calls her Mo.” She waves me off as if the name of the woman I’m growing very fond of is inconsequential.

“What do you really know about her? Where is she from? What is her family like?”

“Mom—”

“Indulge a mother concerned for her only boy—”

“Emerson.” I grit out, hating when she behaves as if he doesn’t exist.

“He made his choice.” She snaps angrily, then she shakes her head and plasters a caring smile on her face. “I’m worried about the choices you are making.”

“She’s a good woman, mom. She’s smart, so intelligent. And she grew up in the foster system, but she didn’t let that hold her back. She had a full ride to Penn State University and worked two and three jobs at a time in addition to the full load of courses she took. She worked for several years at another job and saved money so she could buy a modest home, a nice car, and take a job that fulfills her passion for chemistry while giving her the family she never had. She’s…remarkable.”

Mom sits quietly for a few beats, then pats my hand. “She sounds lovely. And at no point did you comment on her looks.” She teases. “If, you’re sure.”

I nod and make no attempt to stop the smile that stretches my lips. “You’ve seen her, you know she’s beautiful. Actually, I don’t think that word quite encompasses everything she is, but it’s a start. I’m sure, mom, very sure.”

“Alright, tell me about the bar.” We talk through our meal. There’s a niggle in the back of my mind about how my mom dismissed Emerson, again, and her worry over Mary Opal. Anytime I’ve mentioned a new woman of interest, she’s been concerned. I’ve always chocked that up to normal motherly concern, but Mo mentioned something the other night about my mom and…I shake myself internally. She doesn’t know my mom like I do. She’s done so much for me and sacrificed to make sure I had a good life. She did the same with Emerson, but it wasn’t good enough for him.

When I drop her off at home, I get out of the car and round the hood. Pulling mom into my arms, I kiss the top of her head. “Love you, mom.” She squeezes me tight.

“You are my world, Langston. Love you too.”

Mo 13.

I was just cleaning up my workspace to go to lunch, when the intercom on my office phone buzzes.

“Yeah?”

“MoMo, you have a visitor.” Ishaan’s voice sounds weird.

“Okay…it’s not Aunt Flo, you wanna tell me who it is?”

“I hate it when you do that.” He whines through the intercom. “Just for that, no, I’m not telling you. Get your ass up here.”

Grabbing my lunch bag, I head to the front of our space where we set up a small reception area. My steps falter momentarily when I take in Langston standing at the front desk talking with Ishaan and Esteban. He looks up when I come around the corner and the smile he gives me has me wishing I’d worn a panty liner today.

“Mr. Mayes, what a delightful surprise. What can I do for you today?” I ignore Esteban and Ishaan’s snickers and focus on the tall devilishly handsome man in front of me.

“Miss Morrow. A pleasure as always. I was hoping to take you on a picnic for lunch today.” His smile becomes strained, and I try hard to hide my amusement when I glance out the front windows and see its pouring down rain.

“I didn’t bring an umbrella, I’m afraid.” He shakes his head at me, but Ishaan speaks up before he can respond.

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