Page 62 of Choosing My Happiness
“I love you, My Queen.” Jim gave a small bow from the seat of his Bob.
“And I love you, My Midwife.”
He roared out of the street. I watched while my heart broke. Kitsungi…I told myself. He’s going to put it back together with gold, and it’s going to be stronger and more beautiful because of Jim. I just need to get that divorce. I gritted my teeth. Tomorrow, I was going to call Shaquilla, and we’ll see what we can do.
I sighed and walked to the house with my head high. I’m Jim’s Queen, and no one is going to stop me.
* * *
Mom rolled in during the early hours of the morning. She was completely hammered. I think she woke up the neighborhood with her singing. She’ll be the talk of the grapevine for the next week or so. Even the dogs were too embarrassed to howl along. I got up and helped the prospect get her to bed. They abandoned her as soon as they could. No one wanted to be drunkenlyseduced, let alone by my mother. I hung up her kutte and made sure it was in pristine condition, then took all of the jewelry off her neck, arms, and fingers, apart from the wedding rings, and placed them in one of the massive jewelry boxes she had.
They were all diamonds. Every piece. Now that I’d guessed the whole story behind them, they were even more disgusting. Instead of accepting my father’s child, she got diamonds. She probably felt like she won in both ways. No embarrassing child, and the most expensive bling Dad could find. I was the loser. No sibling, a weak-minded father, and a determination to find out why all of this happened the way it has.
* * *
I rose early in the morning and made breakfast. I knew Mom wouldn’t sleep in. Her body clock was set. Sure enough, she stumbled into the kitchen and gaped at me when I handed her the coffee and acetaminophen. She sank down into her chair at the table, closing her eyes against the throbbing in her head. Her hands cupped the coffee, shaking only slightly with the effort of raising it to her lips and taking a sip to down the medication. That was my nice side used up.
My vindictive side was in full flight as I placed the greasy eggs and bacon down in front of her. I watched her turn green.
“Grease has been proven to help with hangovers,” was all I said. She swallowed.
I sat down with my own plate in front of her.
“So,” I started. “How long did you know Amber existed?”
Mom sagged. “Daisy, do we have to do this now?”
I took a slice of bacon and crunched it between my teeth.
“No, no we don’t. But seeing as she was the woman I caught Blaze fucking in the club when I first came back, it’s probably a good idea. Just so I know where I stand,” I said calmly. I wanted to know. It wouldn’t change anything, but I wanted to know.
“She didwhatwith Blaze?!”
“Blaze was fucking her in one of the town bars when I first came back to see Dad,” I replied.
I could see the wheels turning in her head as she fought the information.
“But he’s her cousin!” she blurted.
Okay, that was a surprise.
I put down my bacon. “Pardon?”
Mom closed her lips tightly, shaking her head like a petulant child.
“Mom, how is Amber Blaze’s cousin, and my half sister, and obviously Dad’s love child? Is that why Dad loved Blaze so much?”
Mom erupted, slamming her hand on the table. “She’s not his love child! She is nothing to him. If she’d been a boy, maybe,maybeI would have had to accept that thing in our lives. But luckily she’s a girl, and meant nothing to him.”
I stayed silent. But the kitchen still rang with her words. She picked up a fork and started pushing the food around the plate
“Is that why you accept Dylan, because he’s a boy?” I asked in a small voice.
“Oh for God’s sake, Daisy! You couldn’t keep your son alive long enough for me to get to know him. You don’t get to be jealous. I got my grandson whether you like it or not. You don’t get a say.” She went back to pushing the food around her plate, throwing glares at me from under her frown.
Suddenly, I really didn’t want to know. I didn’t want to talk to her anymore. I just wanted to get out of here. I stood up slowly, clenching my teeth, and walked out of the kitchen. I picked upmy already packed bag, walked out of the house, got into my car, and drove. I did not have a mother after today. Not after those words. I knew where I stood. I was nothing.
I rang Darcy’s office to inform him to drop the asset split and just get me the divorce. Whatever got me free quicker so I didn’t have to put up with this bullshit.
