“So… You’re not upset?” I asked him.
“I’m upset at the fact that you kept her from me. Does Mom and Dad know?”
“Not yet.”
“Come on, Kwamé. Something could’ve happened to you, and we wouldn’t have known.”
“I know, I know.” I felt horrible.
“Don’t you ever do that shit again,” he warned me.
“I promise not to.” I wanted to wipe my brow. My hands were sweating and everything.
Well,I thought.At least the hard part is over.
Youspoketoosoon,I thought just minutes later as Bianca peered at me. We’d spoken plenty of times over the years, and I considered her Antonias’s lady even if she was giving my brother a run for his money.
Bianca’s eyes were red, swollen, and her face was puffy. She’d cried so many tears that the tracks had left salty trails along her cheeks. She appeared to have lost some weight too. Trauma was evident in her eyes. Usually, I dealt with deep-rooted trauma hidden behind angry outbursts, abuse of all kinds, and fake smiles. Bianca’s trauma wasn’t hidden. It was plain to see that she wore a heavy weight on her shoulders.
“Hi,” I spoke gently.
Bianca blinked a few times, then said, “I’m not even mad he called you.” Tears spilled from her eyes. “I want to hide from everyone. Coming here, I was supposed to do that.”
“And you already realize the quiet is just as deafening.”
Closing her eyes against the current of emotions she felt, she nodded.
“I’m here to help you however I can, Bianca. I’ll listen at any time, about anything. If you want me to sit with you all day, I will.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Kwamé.”
Softly smiling, I said, “That’s not necessary. You’re my sister-in-law.”
That brought a soft chuckle from her lips. “Not quite. He’s getting married, ya know?”
Shrugging, I replied, “Between you and me, that nigga ain’t marrying that girl.”
This time we both giggled. As if she felt bad for laughing, she abruptly stopped, and her expression returned to one of somber sorrow. Just then, the door opened and Antonias walked in holding Jessie.
Although the sight caused Bianca to swallow hard, she placed a smile on her face and asked, “Who’s baby?”
Sheepishly, I responded, “Mine. This is Jessie.”
Bianca’s eyes shone bright with unshed tears as she beamed at my daughter. While Antonias’s actions were pure and from aloving heart, Jessie’s presence was jarring to Bianca. I felt bad for not thinking it through.
“I’ll take her out,” I stated.
“No, no… Let me hold her.” Bianca stretched her arms out, and Antonias positioned Jessie in Bianca’s lap.
“Hey, pretty girl,” Bianca cooed. Jessie flashed her dimples and made Bianca fall in love just that quickly. For a few minutes, Bianca was able to keep it together. Antonias reached for Jessie, who went right to him. His eyes darted my way, then he walked back out of the room. I didn’t even admonish Bianca for the tears she shed.
“If it’s too much, we can leave.”
Bianca shook her head. “This is divine. I believe it. You’re both supposed to be here with me. As hard as it is, I will embrace it.”
Strength would be the very thing to help guide Bianca through this storm.
“Is there anything you need from me?”
