“I did. I’m back for good. I ain’t going nowhere again.”
“You promise?” she asked, looking at me in a way only she could. Even if I had any intention of lying, I wouldn’t have been able. Mama had that look about her that said no matter what I’d been through her wrath would hit worse.
“Good, now get in here and let me feed you while you introduce me to this beautiful young lady you have me crying in front of.”
I laughed at that moment, reminded that Liora was standing beside me. When I looked at her, I could’ve sworn those contagious tears had gotten her ass too.Not Killa.
When we entered her house, I immediately felt home. The familiar smells, same ass decorations, and most of all, the smell of a hearty dinner she was cooking.
“My bad, Mama. This is Liora. Liora, this is my mama.” I laughed at how that sounded and so did both of them.
My mother let me go, then moved toward Liora, pulling her into a hug without her permission. She frankly didn’t give a fuck if Liora wanted one or not.
“You are beautiful and I feel like you’re part of what brought my baby back to me.” My mother held Liora’s hands, looking into her eyes.
“She is part of the reason.” I leaned over and kissed the side of her face.
Liora cut her eyes at me before nodding in my mother’s direction. “It’s really nice to meet you, Ms. Brooks.
“Nope, baby. The way he looks at you and the way you look at him is indication enough that you don’t have to call meMs. anything. Call me Ma.”
Liora nodded.
“Mama, where is Junior?”
“In there sleep and don’t you wake him up. He’s been running his lil tail around here terrorizing everything. Even the damn cats are hiding. Usually, Lucky gives me a break, but he done up and disappeared. Darla can’t even get in touch with him. You know she’s about ready to pop.”
I shook my head at the mention of Lucky, listening to my mother go on and on.
ELEVEN
Liora
Seeing Iso reunite with his mother and son warmed my heart in a way I wasn’t used to. Not only that, it made me think about my own mother. She had this countenance about her that let him and everybody else know she’d go there about her son.
With everything handled, he was able to finally move around without being so secretive. It also encouraged me to finally pinpoint the things I actually wanted in this life.
“When I told you to come see me, I didn’t expect you to come in here quiet and somber. Is there something wrong, Li?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I didn’t get much sleep last night and had to work this morning, then you called me here.”
She laughed. “Boo-hoo-hoo. You were probably up being nasty with that fine ass man. Ain’t nobody stupid nor blind.”
I cackled. “I didn’t say I wasn’t, but if you must know, I got in kind of late.”
“From where?” Sissy’s voice along with the bell alerted us to someone entering.
“Iso’s mother’s house.”
Lauryn’s hand went to her chest. “Wait, what?”
“You met his mother?” Sissy asked in shock.
“And his son. Why are you both so shocked?”
“Because bitch I’ve never met a man you’re dating. Then you pop up with him, and baby, I can tell you’re in love and he is too. Because when you went to defend my honor, that nigga asked for your gun and you gave it to him.” Sissy laughed through her own spiel.
I couldn’t help but laugh because she was right. Iso read me like an open book, picking up on things not many did.
