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Rae gasped. “Weston, Mama didn’t hate you, nor did she think that. She knew how you were, and she actually loved that about you. She would always brag about how strong you were, how you stood your ground, and went after everything that meant something to you. You are her baby boy. She understood how frustrating it could be to have people constantly asking for things. That’s why she did the DNR. She wanted us to continue living and not have to take care of her.”

I sighed, feeling the tears preparing to fall. Rae letting me know my mother didn’t hate me was a small sigh of relief.

“I-I didn’t get to say sorry.” No longer being able to hold the tears, I let them fall.

Rae sniffed. “She knew you didn’t mean any of it. Mama knew how her Tank Head was. Hard on the outside but a softie on the inside. The day you left the house, she watched you walk to the car. She watched you drive away and still had a smile on her face. It pissed me off so bad. I was calling you everything but a child of God.” She chuckled. “But that lady didn’t like for people to talk bad about her baby boy. She told me to stop and to understand that you are a work in progress. You were angry and just wanted to feel love without involving money. She always wished you well and prayed for you every day and night. She hoped you found someone who makes you realize that money ain’t everything and you can be loved. She wanted that wall torn down.”

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep up wiping my face and crying. My mother never stopped loving me. She never stopped praying for me. She remained my mother even when I stopped being her son. Rae stared at me with soft eyes. She had to witness my mother loving me and me being a jackass to them both. No, I couldn’t go back and right my wrongs with my mother, but I could start with Rae. I made my way closer to her. I didn’t even wait for her to accept the hug I was giving her. I immediately wrapped her in, pulling her close to me.

“Rae, I’m so sorry for everything. Shit, even leading up to having to drive all the way over here. Let me fix this.” She shifted in my arms, but I didn’t let go.

“Not like that. Let me be by your side for the rest of the days to come. We do this together, please.”

She said nothing. She stood there in my embrace. Seconds later, she wrapped her arms around me and sobbed.

“I got you, Rae,” I affirmed through my tears. “I got us, sis. I promise.”

14

Taja

“Damn girl, you trying to get you a man tonight!” Allison commented as I walked out of my bedroom.

I scoffed. “Girl, please! When I tell you I’m done with men for a long time, I mean a very long time.”

I applied the brown lip pencil and gloss to my lips before we headed out of the door. Tonight was TRU’s gala. Allison and I spent all day in hair and makeup. We knew that everyone who was someone was going to be there, so we had to look the part. I wore a long, red mermaid satin dress with a slit that went all the way up my thigh. The dress was strapless with sequins across the top. Allison wore a beautiful metallic gold dress with a dramatic train. She was stunning. She had returned from Japan a week ago and had been staying with me, keeping me company.

“Don’t let one raggedy, stank, poor, ashy-ass man spoil it for everyone. Jay should’ve been left in the dust a long time ago. He has been holding you back. Now you can travel with me more,” she squealed.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Allison wasn’t right. I hadn’t sworn off men because of Jay’s ass, nor was I thinking about another man because I was still thinking about Weston. I didn’t tell Allison about Weston because everything still stung. The day he put me out of his house hurt so badly. All I wanted to do was be there for him, but it wasn’t enough. I thought that maybe by now we would’ve seen each other at work, but he had been out. Everyone at the company was concerned. Finally, I took it upon myself to let the leadership team know about the passing of his mother. I didn’t want him to lose the one thing he helped build. The company sent flowers and cards to his home, but as of today, there wasn’t a response.

I reached out a few times to Rae just to let her know I was thinking about her. We kept the conversation short and sweet. I didn’t bother asking about Weston. If anything, Weston was probably still being a jackass to her, and she had not heard from him either. However, I won’t lie. I was missing him badly. I was concerned about his well-being. I felt conflicted, and it was killing me. Tonight, he was one of the recipients being honored, but I doubted he would be there, especially after everything.

“Ta! The car is outside. You ready?” Allison asked.

I smiled and grabbed my clutch. “As ready as I’m going to be.”

* * *

I stood at the bar,grabbing a glass of white wine for Allison and me. We had been at the gala for an hour, and more people were strolling in. Everyone was dressed in their best, and it was beautiful to see. Allison was mostly taking pictures with people. I couldn’t help but be proud of her. Allison had worked her ass off, and she deserved everything that was coming to her. I sipped from my glass while scanning the room. Everyone who was everyone was in the building. TRU even extended the invite to the top buyers and fans. I’ve always imagined myself here one of these days, but actually being here was beautiful. A part of me was thankful that Jay cheated on me. I knew I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this moment and take it in if he had been on my shoulder.

“This for me?” Allison asked, walking up and reaching for the other wine glass.

“Yep, I was about to drink it,” I teased.

“Girl, people won’t give me a break, but I don’t care. I love this shit.”

“I know you do.”

“Hey,” she said. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here in this position. You are an amazing person. You had an opportunity to come up, and instead of only worrying about yourself, you included me. I’m forever in debt to you, Ta.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes. “You’re welcome.”

We hugged each other tight before heading to our seats. The awards ceremony was starting. Allison and I sat at a table with a few other people from the company. The CEO made his way to the stage with his beautiful wife beside him. He was an older white man with a gray pepper beard, and his wife was a chocolate-skinned older woman who didn’t look a day over forty.

“Good evening, everyone. Wow! Don’t you all look ravishing tonight!”

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