Page 46 of Crossing the Lines for Love

My mother’s greeting seemed polite on the surface, but if you knew how she rolled, you’d know she threw a lot of shade with that statement.

“It’s nice to meet you both as well.”

“Deuce, I want you to meet someone.”

“Hold on, Son. Take Deuce to his room and get him set up with a movie,” Ma told me.

“But—”

“Niko, please. Do as I ask and come back when you have him situated. Chanice, you can sit while we wait for Niko to return.”

I was skeptical but did what my mother asked. Fifteen minutes later, I sat next to Chanice on the love seat.

“I thought we should talk before formally introducing you to Deuce,” Ma began.

“Marissa, go easy on her because this ain’t really our business,” my father said.

“Like hell, it’s not!”

“I don’t really consider it an introduction. I carried him for nine months and gave birth to him.”

“Yes, you did, but he’ll need some time to warm up to you before he’s comfortable.”

“Warm up to me? Comfortable? Excuse me? I’m his mother.”

“I’d use the word mother very loosely if I were you.”

“Ma’am—”

“Let me stop you there, Chanice. I can tell by your tone you’re about to say something disrespectful to my mama.”

“You didn’t stop her from disrespecting me.”

“That wasn’t disrespect. It was facts.”

I couldn’t believe Chanice didn’t understand my mother’s perspective and had the audacity to get an attitude.

“You’re a stranger to him,” my mother reminded her. “Chanice, I’m happy you wanted to take some time and see Deuce, but a few things need to be established first.

“Okay. I guess that’s fair.”

“I know it is. Do you plan to become a permanent fixture in his life?” Pops asked, which surprised me because he had been relatively quiet.

“Umm, I just wanted to see him.”

“I could have sent you more pictures and videos. You didn’t have to come here to see him,” I told her.

“True, but I wanted to see him in person.”

“Answer my husband’s question.”

“I’m still in the Navy. It’s almost impossible for me to see him regularly.”

“I’m sure it would be difficult, but parents serve our country all the time. With how technology is set up, if you want to be a part of Deuce’s life, nothing is stopping you,” Pops said.

“I still have no desire to be someone’s mother, but…I don’t want him to grow up thinking I’m a deadbeat.”

“So, you’re doing this so you won’t feel like a deadbeat. You can’t be a good mother to him if you have no desire to be a mother,” Ma told her.

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