Page 138 of Rhet

Rhet doesn’t miss a beat, he takes Ms. Hattie’s hand and kisses it. Her dentures are about to fall out of her mouth it’s so wide open as Rhet holds eye contact with her the entire time.

When Rhet finishes with Ms. Hattie, she looks stunned with her hand clutched to her chest. If the poor heart had pearls, she would have clutched them. I don’t know if she’s happy or just shocked.

Annie Mae pushes her away and sticks her hand out in Rhet’s face. He frowns as he pulls it down to shake it softly.

Annie Mae looks confused. I want to die laughing. She looks down at her dark purple pleated high low jacket, mind you she’s wearing the hat to match. Where Hattie is round and chubby, Annie Mae was slim.

“My stars, what’s your name, dear?” Hattie asks, still under theRhet wayspell.

“Rhet Banner,” he says, then does the smile. Okay, Ms. Hattie is a goner, she giggles. Ms. Hattie is an old crow she never giggles.

“Like in Gone with the Wind?” Annie asks, still looking upset she didn’t have her hand kissed.

“Yes, ma’am, my mom loves that movie.”

“How do you know Mr. Banner, Zeeta baby?” Annie asks.

Before I can answer Rhet jumps in. “I’m her man.” He takes my hand into his and kisses it. What the hell? Everything in me stops. I didn’t know if I should scream with joy or pull my hand away and run. I squeeze his hand and smile, letting go slowly.

Annie widens her eyes as she touches her chest. “Bless your heart, Zeeta. You finally got a man, but don’t be living in sin now. My Shirley got married quickly she couldn’t beat the boys off with a stick.”

“Because your daughter was a hoe and she got pregnant, so you married her off,” My mother says. We all look at my mom awkwardly. Rhet tries to fight a smile, but after a few seconds he just lets it go.

“Um, she’s a little tired, so we have to go. I’m so sorry.” I tried to usher my mom on, but she isn’t moving.

“I’m not tired.” She touches Rhet’s arm and looks up. “Annie’s daughter’s legs were opened every day of the week like a Walmart and Hattie’s son is the best tambourine player ever.” My mom does the pettiest thing. She shakes her hand like she’s shaking a tambourine.

Please lord let this stop.

“You want to come here and judge my baby and her man. While yours is looking at men.” My mom adjusts her little handbag.

Annie Mae, and Hattie stand in strained silence. Meanwhile, Rhet is shaking with laughter. I have no one to help me out of this.

“Why Jennifer Mitchell, that, that.” Hattie tries to find words.

“That’s the truth.” My mom fixes her bag on her forearm and looks out through the arched church doors.

“Alphonso left, I have to get to the car.” My mom starts to walk forward as Rhet holds his elbow out to help her.

I stand with the two ladies, both of their mouths opening and closing like two fish under water.

“Um, if you’ll excuse me.” I turn and hurry behind Rhet and my mom.

I make my way down the stairs, and I see Ms. Helen and Penny already at the car. Rhet opens the door for the ladies and they all pile in. I reach them as he closes the car door and leans on it with his arms crossed.

Every so often when I look at him, I remember what a fine ass man he is. The baby blue, tan, and brown suit looks so good on him. I smile as I reach him because it hits me he was serious last night. I’m his woman.

“What are you smiling at?” He slips his sunglass on his face.

“Nothing. Why do you look upset?” I see the slight frown on his face.

He bites his pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth. “You have a problem with me calling you, my woman?”

“No.” I reply.

“Really? So you had no problem with me staking my claim in front of those old crows in there.”

I look back and see the congregation members are all at their cars talking but still watching us.

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