Page 129 of Between Desire and Denial
And then, after the ceremony, they both proceeded to whisper “Told you so” in my ear when I cried and hugged them, diploma in hand.
It wasn’t just having that diploma, it was seeing what had come of my last semester. I stood there looking down at the family I knew would be there for me always. I had Knox and Kee and Pink. I had Dimitri’s sisters and brothers. I had Lucille and Jameson and Franny. Other Paradise Groveians and even Bane Black stood in the crowd.
When the speeches were done, we’d invited everyone to our place later that night. I walked hand in hand with Dimitri to our car, and when we were only a few steps from it, Rufford, barely recognizable from the weight he’d lost and the facial hair he’d allowed to grow in, came barreling toward us.
Dimitri stepped in front of me immediately.
“Oh, don’t act like I’m going to hurt her,” Rufford sneered while he stood up tall, toe-to-toe with Dimitri, and patted his wrinkled brown suit. “I’m just coming over to congratulate her.”
“It’s fine,” I murmured to Dimitri, but he didn’t move out of Rufford’s path.
“Congratulations, Olive, on ruining my life. For blocking me and not giving me a chance. All so you could be with him. You think you’ll be happy settling for this—”
I stepped out from behind Dimitri to confront him. “I don’t think I’m happy”—I leaned against Dimitri, who immediately put his arm around me—“I am. I’ve achieved—”
“Nothing. You got a degree, and now you’ll go… what? Make a bunch of babies and settle for some suburban life?”
He said the words like they were an insult. “I’d be lucky to do that, Rufford. And I’ll be lucky to live my life in any way I want, whether it’s doing research or doing hair or taking care of my kids. You know why? Because it’s my life to live. Not yours. I’m not seeking your approval anymore. If you’re looking to give it to someone, you should look elsewhere.”
“You changed.” He wrinkled his nose at me. “You used to have so much potential—”
“Alright. Enough.” Dimitri kissed my cheek and told me, “Please tell me you’re done here? I can’t deal with this man causing you or our baby more stress.”
“Baby?” Rufford gasped and then he glanced at my belly. My black dress was a flowy one. Plus I wasn’t really showing yet.
“Yeah, I’m done with him. Have been since the night I found out he cheated on me. It’s good I found my way to the right man that very night and hooked up with you instead, Dimitri.”
“You better be lying—” Rufford started.
“Or what?” Dimitri laughed and opened the car door for me. I got in and he closed it but I heard his deep voice through the window. “You threatening my future wife, Rufford? Please tell me now so I can make sure that not only do I ruin your career but I break every bone in your body too.”
I rolled down the window just a little. “Dimitri,” I tried to calm him with saying his name softly.
Still, he continued. “She blocked you, didn’t answer your calls, and never contacted you again. Take a fucking hint, or I’ll use my fist to make it clear. Fuck off. Forever.”
Rufford proceeded to listen that time, and I had a feeling I’d never ever hear from him again. It didn’t stop Dimitri from complaining and cursing him the whole way home.
When we pulled up to our driveway, though, I cursed my husband as I got out. “Dimitri Hardy!” I groaned as I opened thedoor to seeing another package being dropped off in front of our house. “Stop ordering stuff for the baby.”
Kee and Pink got out of their black SUV behind us and snickered while I thanked the delivery guy for dropping two large boxes off that I was sure were more strollers. They were too bulky to be anything else.
“He’s not going to stop.” Kee sighed and rubbed her belly too. I don’t know if it was the hormones or the fact that my best friend and I were venturing on the journey of motherhood at the same time, but we both teared up as we looked at one another.
“Guess we should be happy they care so much right?” I told her.
She sighed and nodded as Dex draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Why don’t you think he’ll stop sending packages, Kee?”
“Because you just ordered five different high chairs to test out too. So ridiculous.”
“Yeah?” Dimitri now looked curious. “Which one was best?”
“You two are ludicrous, Kee’s right,” I grumbled, walking inside and waving everyone in. “We need to focus on getting this place ready for tonight, not thinking about babies that are coming next year.”
“Give them a break. They’re just being good daddies.” Pink chuckled and plopped down on my couch, throwing her combat boots on the new coffee table I’d bought from a boutique furniture store in New Haven City. “Plus, we don’t really have to do anything for that party right? I feel like Lucille’s got a whole damn crew in your backyard setting up.”
“I have no idea what’s she’s doing.” I groaned. “It’s like she’s the grandmother of the century.”
“Well, can’t complain, considering she’s doing what your mom always wanted, I’m sure. And… well, can’t speak for your dumbass father—"
