Page 10 of Love Always, Nova Black
“Yeah, but that’s only because she just started dating some guy that owns a trucking company. If you ask me, this is when she’s at her worse. Whenever she finds a man, she feels like everyone else needs to find one too, which means today is going to be hell.” I could hear the pause in Kendra’s voice. “You know what? I’m not going.”
Groaning, I said, “No, you’re going. In fact, I’ll be at your place in an hour.”
“Why do we have to go to this toxic shit?”
“Because if we don’t, it only makes things worse. You know that.”
“Honestly, I don’t care. You know, I’m starting to think it’s okay to cut off family members that don’t match your vibe. Even if it’s your own mama.”
“Kendra, you can’t cut off your mother.’
“Why the hell not?”
“She’s your mom. Do you know what I would give to see my mom? Hell, to even have met her?”
Kendra got quiet for a second.
“My bad, Nova. That was insensitive of me.”
“It’s cool. I know you didn’t mean anything by it,” I replied. “But on the real, just be grateful that you have a mother to get aggravated by. All I have are old photos and the stories that Aunt Patricia shares with me.”
“You’re right. Let me get my shit together. I love you cousin.”
“Love you too,” I said before ending the call and pulling up at my apartment building.
It wasn’t easy to be reminded of the fact that someone else had a mother and I didn’t. For years, I’d had a hard time coping with my reality and everything that came along with it.
Thankfully, after putting in much work, a therapist was able to convince me that my mother dying while giving birth to me wasn’t my fault. Of course, I still had my moments. But the good days came more often than the bad, so I was always grateful for that.
Taking my time, I stepped out of my car and headed towards my apartment.
A text came through on my cell.
“If your family gets on your nerves too bad, just remember that I’m only a cuddle away. I got you.” –Don
Unable to hold back my smile, I quickly replied.“Thank you. I’m going to hold you to that.” –Nova
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” –Don
5
Don
“Glad to see you’re in town. Where you been hiding?” my boy, Jay, said as he plopped down in the chair across from me. “I feel like I haven’t seen your ass in years.”
Laughing, I dipped my wings in the ranch that was on my plate. “Don’t start with all of that exaggerating. You were just in Dallas a couple of months ago.”
“Yeah, but that was only for a few hours. I’m your boy, and you acted like you didn’t have time to kick it with me. Shit, I’m surprised you’ve got time for me right now.”
“First off, when you came to Dallas, I had no idea you were even coming. Second, I had a lot going on that weekend, so I didn’t have much free time on my hands.”
“Mmhmm, whatever you say,” he replied while turning his attention to the waiter that had just approached our table. “Let me get your ten-piece lemon pepper wings and a basket of fries.”
“Okay, anything else?”
“Nah, I’m good. Oh, I’ll take a Coke too.”
“Got it,” the waiter said before turning to walk away.
