Page 7 of I'm So Mega
We were busy today, so Shan and I helped with the expo line. Shan was an amazing manager and best friend. As we made sure plates were correct before they went out, one of our waitresses came to the back to let me know that one of the patrons wanted to speak with me.Lord, what now?It was rare that people asked for me.
I washed my hands before I headed to the front. My steps slowed as I approached the hostess stand. Today—well, ever—was really not the time for this girl to be here. I had a feeling that I would have to trespass her at some point. “Yes, Joy, how can I help you today?”
This girl was like a water bug. She would come out to be annoying, go away, then pop back out like the nuisance that she was. It had long ago been established that my man never wanted her on a level that was deeper than sexual. Delusional was a real thing.
She crossed her arms over herself and rolled her eyes like she didn’t come to my business and ask for me. “Um, I wanted to inquire about catering for my baby shower. I was told this was the best place to provide the catering.”
With a genuine smile, I responded. “Congratulations on your impending motherhood. However, Glory Soul Food is not available for your event.”
“How can you not be available when I haven’t told you the date of it? What kind of business is that?” She snickered. “I always knew you weren’t about anything, just like your janky restaurant.”
Stay calm, Ruth. You are in a restaurant full of patrons. She wants a show, cancel it.“As the owner of this establishment, I have the right to deny service to anyone for any reason that I see fit. This is me formally denying you service. I also request that you not step foot on these premises again.”
She took a step back. My eyes couldn’t help but to lower to take in her midsection. She didn’t appear pregnant. There wasn’t even a small bump, but that could mean nothing. Some people carried small. “Bitch, fuck you! You think you’re the shit because Mega put a little ring on your finger that means nothing.”
I laughed unexpectedly. This lady was stupid as well as blind. There was absolutely nothing small about the ring that was on my finger. “Joy, I promise you don’t want to be here any longer than you should. I advise you to leave while you have a chance.”
“What the fuck you gonna do, call the police like the bitch you are? I know your holy roller ass ain’t gonna whup my ass,” she taunted. “If you want a reason to try to beat my ass, I can give you one. While you’re claiming that fuck nigga, he’s still fucking me good.” She rubbed her non-existent belly. “Matter of fact, this is his baby.”
There was no need for me to say anything or argue with this silly girl. My enforcer had just entered the building. That was faster than anticipated.
“Ah!” Joy’s scream was loud. Her eyes were wide.
Mama Goldie had a tight grip with one of her hands on the back of her neck and the other in her hair. “Bitch, I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with you. It’s like you want to get beatthe fuck up, or do you want to die?” Mama’s voice was low but audible, which made it more intimidating. “Ruth, what did this hussy say?”
“Apparently, Mega and her are still having sex. She came in here to inquire about catering for her and Mega’s baby shower,” I answered. After a scan of the restaurant, I realized that there were more eyes on us than I preferred. “Mama, can we take this into my office?”
With her hand still gripped around the back of Joy’s, who was now in tears, neck, and the other hand in Joy’s hair, she guided her to my office. When we got in there, she pushed her onto the couch. “Have a seat, you naked mole-rat.”
I took a seat behind my desk. This situation was above me but below the Lord now. Mama Goldie took the chair that was on the other side of my desk and moved it in front of Joy. “Now, exactly when did my son have time to get your poisonous, rancid womb pregnant?”
Before she could answer the question, the door came open, and the man of the hour appeared. I wasn’t surprised that Mama Goldie and Mega popped up. I found out a little while ago that he had the restaurant’s camera hacked. In his office, he had television screens that showed the feeds at all times.
“What’s going on in here? Joy, what the hell are you doing in my wife’s restaurant? I thought we had this discussion before,” Mega said. He walked around the desk, leaned down, and placed a kiss on my lips. “What’s up, baby?”
I smiled, then said, “Nothing much. You need to talk to your baby’s mother.”
His head drew back. “Okay, like I said, what’s up? You the only future baby’s mama I got in here.”
When I told him not according to Joy, he spun around on his heels. He stared at her for a moment. “Mama, please.”
“I got you, baby boy.” Mama Goldie walked over to Joy and snatched her up by her hair. Joy was thicker than I was but in a build-a-body kind of way.
I lifted my back from my seat. “Y’all, she said she’s pregnant. I don’t want the baby to get hurt.”
Mega’s head slanted toward his left shoulder. The grin that surfaced on his face was twisted. “Joy, are you pregnant?”
Her hands tried to release Mama Goldie’s grip on her hair, but it was useless.Her cries were silent. She jumped when Mega’s voice boomed as he asked her if she was pregnant again. Her head shook side to side as much as it could with her hair gripped. “No, no, I’m not! I’m sorry I lied.”
Mega peeked over his shoulder in my direction. Without looking at Joy, he spoke to her. “Now, what do you suggest I do about you coming in here for a second time since I’ve been with my love and being a dumbass? I feel like you need to be handled.” He finally sent his attention her way. “My fiancée does not need to be stressed days before our wedding.”
“Just let me go. I . . . won’t ever bother her again. I’m sorry, Ruth,” she apologized.
I stood up to stand next to my man. “Joy, you’ve been told to leave me alone before, more than once. It’s like you think it’s a joke. I need you to really take heed and just leave me alone. He doesn’t want you and never have.”
“Okay! Okay! I get it,” she blurted.
Mama Goldie pulled her hair back which caused her back to bend backward. “This is the last time I put my hands on you. The next time I’m going to let my bullet kiss your forehead. I don’t play about my son and daughter. Do you hear me?”
