Page 62 of Crash: Love in Scrubs
But today wasn’t about him. Today was about my woman chasing her dreams and me being proud as hell to support her.
I pulled out my phone and started making calls. If Sametra thought an edible arrangement and lunch were a surprise, she had no idea what I had planned.
My thoughts were always on her, but one particular thought was bothering me. I hated keeping the shit with Ashe from her. Ijust didn’t want her to worry, but something was telling me that I needed to tell her, and soon. The last thing I needed was for her to think she couldn’t trust me.
I packed up my stuff and locked my office before heading out. I stopped at her favorite bakery and got her a cake, card, and some balloons. I also swung by the bank and added her name to my accounts. Thankfully my bank wasn’t tripping, and they provided me with a card right on the spot. Fifteen minutes later, I was in my car when my phone rang. Mama’s name lit up the screen, and I smiled as I answered.
“Hey, Mama. I miss you, little girl.”
“Why you always trying to get on my nerves?” She hated it when I called her a little girl, but it was just our way of playing. “You only call me that when you’re in a good mood.”
Leave it to Yolanda to pick up on my mood through the phone. “I’m happy. Real happy.”
“This about that firefighter you told me about? Sametra was it?”
I laughed, merging onto the highway. “Yeah, it’s about her. And it’s serious, Mama. Real serious. It’s official like a ref with a whistle. You’re one step closer to having a daughter-in-law and a grandson.”
“How’s her boy doing with his recovery?”
“Samaj’s doing great. Out of his cast, getting stronger every day. And today’s Sametra’s first day back in school.” I couldn’t keep the pride out of my voice.
“That’s wonderful, baby. But Malik, you listen to me good.” Her voice took on that serious tone I knew meant business. “Love makes you do foolish things sometimes. Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment, especially when it comes to your career.”
“What you mean?”
“I mean protect yourself, son. Make sure everything you’re doing is above board. I didn’t sacrifice everything for you to throw it away behind some woman you just met, no matter how much you love her.”
Her words slightly offended me, but I would never let her know that. She didn’t know Sametra, but I wanted her to take my word for it. Sametra was worth living off my investments if that’s what I had to do. I felt like everyone was more worried about my job than I was. I could always work in the private sector. I’d been thinking about it anyway.
“I hear you, Mama.” I sighed, kissing my teeth. “But you haven’t met her. You don’t know her.”
“Uh oh. You didn’t like that, son.”
“Nah, I didn’t, Ma. I thought you’d be happy about me settling down. And I love Sametra, she’s the one, not just some woman. I need you to trust me on this one.”
“Oh, baby, I am happy you found someone,” her voice softened. If I was in front of her she’d be reaching to brush my cheek. “Malik, I’m so happy you aren’t doing life alone. But, look, you know I’m a realist, and I love, love, for you. I can tell you’re happy and being well taken care of, but reality is you two have blurred the lines and need to make them clear quickly before someone gets hurt or things get too far away from you.”
“Yes, ma’am. My bad for getting offended.”
“Hush, you supposed to stand up for your woman. I just want you to be careful, baby, that’s all. Square?”
I was quiet for a moment, letting her words settle. My mama wasn’t wrong; she never was. But she also didn’t know Sametra the way I did. Didn’t see how she put everyone else first, how she’d built a life from nothing, how she made me want to be better just by existing. Still, Mama’s concern came from love, and I respected that.
“Square.”
“Good. Now, when am I meeting this woman who got my baby ready to check his mama?”
That’s what I loved about her; she was so much more than a mother. She was my best friend and gave me the space to be who I needed to be. But she also made sure I understood respect. I could tell her that she offended me, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. She made me emotionally mature.
“Soon. Real soon. I was thinking maybe the next time I come down, she can come too.”
“I’ll be ready. I’ll get the house all cleaned and set up. Will she bring her son? Do they have any allergies? Oh, baby, the family reunion, that’ll be the perfect time. The whole family can meet her.”
“Ma, calm down. I gotta ask her first.”
She laughed, and I could hear the chair creak as she got up.
“Malik?”
