Page 34 of For the Lover in You
"Thank you, Mama. I'm going to lay her in my bedroom. I think I got small shirts in there with shorts."
She sucked her teeth. "Boy, please. I got a couple of muumuus she can wear. Hurry and get her down. I've got a casserole on that I am bringing to the book club meeting tomorrow, and I'm not trying to burn it."
I nodded and took Mila to the bedroom. She was still asleep. This time, her snores had deepened. I laid her softly on my bed and stared at her beautiful face. Her short hair was disheveled, and her face was stained with tears. I didn't care that she was currently covered in vomit. All I wanted was to lay her down so she could get rest. I could still see the beautiful but broken woman. I leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. I immediately froze. I hadn't known what had come over me.
"Trey," my mother called from behind me.
I jumped back and looked at the petite woman standing in the doorway. She had her lips pushed out.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Mmm, she's your employee? Get out so I can get her clean."
I walked toward the door and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, love you."
She swatted my butt. "Love you, too. Get out."
Thirty minutes later, my mother came down the stairs. She sat down beside me and stared at the side of my face.
"What is it?" I said, trying to mask my smile.
"Boy, don't play with me. Who is that woman?"
"I told you, she works for me."
"Works for you like how?"
I sighed. I gave my mama the whole spiel from day one. I even made it my business to explain how her ex-husband came at her. My mother sat in silence as I explained everything.
"But that doesn't explain why she's drunk," my mother interrupted.
I shrugged. "I was dropping off a footstool for her. She and her friends were drinking wine and eating popcorn. They invited us in for a game of UNO. Four bottles of wine later, Mila and I were on the way to get pizza but didn't make it."
My mother went quiet for a few seconds. I wasn't sure whether or not she believed my story. Still, regardless of whether she did or didn't, it was the truth.
"You're out here saving people?"
I shrugged. "I'm not saving her. I'm helping her. Everyone needs help."
My mother tapped my leg. "You're still a sweetheart."
"Thank you, Ma."
She went to stand but stopped. "But what was the kiss on the forehead about?"
I rubbed my hand down my face and sighed. "You saw that?"
She nodded. "Sure did. Care to explain?"
I shrugged. "I wish I could. I don't know what came over me. It just felt natural, but I know I need to get control of all this shit.Mila works for me. She's going through this messy ass divorce. I can't be involved with no shit like that. It's too much baggage."
"Ouch, that's selfish. It seems like she didn't cause a lot of the stuff she's in. Don't crucify her for the cards she's being dealt. You know better than that."
"Yeah, my bad. It's just an employee relationship, nothing more, nothing less."
My mother looked me up and down.
"You sure? I've never seen a woman around you. Honestly, I've never seen you care for a complete stranger like this. You sure you ain't feeling her?"
