Page 46 of Wifey
It’s not a happy reunion but I’m not sure why she’s here. I cautiously approach her and she beams with pride as she sees me. She rushes over to give me a big hug and kiss, her dangling bracelets touching my face as she pulls back to look at me.
“My baby girl…” She coos in a voice that’s Sade-like. “…you’ve gotten so big.”
“I know I’ve put on some pandemic weight,” I pull down the tank top covering my gain. Cameron seems to love it, but I know I can lose a pound or two or twenty.
“No, no, no, no, no, no….” She shakes her head as she studies my eyes. “…you’ve grown up. You’re a young woman. I love everything about this.” She reaches in and gives me another big hug again. “I’m just so proud of you and everything you’ve done with your life!”
There’s a small crowd watching us and wondering what the hell is going on and who is this strange lady hugging me. I don’t want to make a scene and end up going viral for the wrong reason so I play along. “Let’s go in back and talk.”
Over the course of an hour, I’ve learned Laurie had no less than five engagements and one almost trip down the aisle. She’d been to every continent and could count the number of lovers she’s had in the contiguous 48. Her passport had seen more action than I could ever imagine.
She’s dated princes, terrorists, surgeons, teachers, athletes, politicians, rappers, and yogis. Whenever she simply became bored of the relationship, she left. No one threatened her, and no one kicked her out. It seemed like every man knew what he was getting involved with when she arrived and when she was ready to leave.
Sometimes, she left a note. Sometimes, she just left.
Now, she was back, but we both silently know her visit won’t be for very long. It never is.
I told her Daddy died before she could ask where he was. Her face dropped before she replaced it with a smile. She didn’t press for too many details. I don’t know if she just didn’t want to know or didn’t care. With Laurie, it was hard to tell.
Laurie looks around the room and sees elements of my father on the walls. A lot of his Black pride pictures have remained but I’ve managed to turn the office into my own. It looks a lot more feminine and professional. The old wooden desk he had was replaced with an executive one, complete with leather chair.
Old, worn-out file cabinets were replaced with modern ones. His desktop was turned into a portable laptop for me. Everything is just about digitized and I only use paper if I absolutely have to.
Some applauded me for being environmentally conscious but it’s more than that. Daddy was a lowkey hoarder. His love for vinyls translated into collections of other things and he left a bit of a mess for me to clean up.
“So, where are you staying?” I ask her. “Or are you just in town for the day?”
“Well, I was hoping to stay with you and your father, but that was before I learned of your father’s death.” Laurie’s having a difficult time accepting the news. Maybe deep down she still cared about my father in her own way.
“I don’t live at that house anymore, but it should be okay for you to stay there.” I mention. “Everything is still on there – all of the utilities, I mean.”
Laurie’s eyebrows furrow. “Where do you live now?”
“I live in Buckhead,” I quietly reply. “I live with my boyfriend.”
Laurie’s eyes widened before she could speak. “Wow. Baby girl got herself a rich one.”
I think of the various criminal activities Cameron is involved in. One could say he has legitimate businesses and that would be correct. One could also say his businesses are a front for his money laundering and that would be correct. “You can say that.”
“So, what does he do?” She gesticulates. “A rapper? YouTuber? Entrepreneur? Basketball player?”
“He owns a lot of businesses around Atlanta. He owns all of the property surround this Fresh Espresso location.” I wave my hand in a circular motion. “He’s also the son of a senator.”
“Well, then.” Laurie is taken aback but in a good way. “I hope I can meet said boyfriend while I’m here.”
I never thought I would see the day Cameron would meet Laurie. I never visualized it because it never crossed my mind. How would a meeting like that go between them? Laurie is on her bohemian vibe and Cameron always looks like he just came from the country club. The man wears Gucci loafers no matter the season.
“How long do you plan to stay?” I interlock my fingers and change the subject.
“Not that long.” Laurie loves to be vague. It tells me she’ll be gone before Christmas, maybe Thanksgiving if I’m lucky.
“Okay.” I don’t push it. I doubt we’ll even interact very much while she’s in town. Laurie likes to swoop in like Santa Claus and leave just as quietly. They’re the same fictional character in my life. “Do you need money? A temporary job? You can work here if need be.”
“No, that’s not necessary,” she shakes her head. “I should head to the house. It’s still the same place on Rosa Parks?”
“Same place.” Normally, I would escort Laurie back to the home, but I remember the last time I was there. It’s not a place I’m trying to go back to anytime soon. “I’ll have someone take you there.”
“I think I can manage, baby girl.” Laurie insists.
