Mama pulled me down into her arms, smelling like home and comfort. I felt my throat tighten as I buried my face in her neck fighting back tears.
"My sweet, baby boy," she murmured rubbing my back swaying me in her arms like she used to do when I was kid.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. My grip tightened around her as I allowed myself to softly cry into her shoulder. I felt Pops hand resting on the top of my back. When I finally pulled back my face was wet with tears. "Why she leave me, Ma?" I asked brokenly.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm sure she had her reasons, baby. Maybe she just wanted to protect you."
"No." I pulled away wiping my face. "I don’t need protection. I'm a man. We talked about that already. The way she looked at me—" Her face flashed in my head and tightness gripped my chest. "She didn’t want to leave. She was just scared. I shouldn't have let her go." I wiped my nose.
"Did she say anything else?" Pops asked.
I shrugged helplessly. "She was just worried something would happen to me. Said she was sorry." My voice faded off. "She kissed me before she left. Why would she do that if it was really over?" I asked in confusion.
"The way she talked about you in our living room…" Pops rubbed his beard. "She sounded like she was all in. I could see it in her eyes."
"Yeah…me too," Angel chimed in holding on to my arm. "She almost had stars in her eyes when she talked about you and Melo at the restaurant. It's what made me like her instantly."
"I gotta try again." I sniffled nodding my head decisively. "I can't give up on her. Not this easy. She needs me," I continued with conviction.
"Remy…maybe this is for the best," Mama spoke up.
My face turned at her words. "No, Ma. This ain't for the best for me or her. I love that woman. I wanna marry her. Build a family with her."
"Oh God, Remel—" she rubbed her forehead beginning to pace.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Pops asked in concern reaching out to stop her movements.
She exhaled heavily, looking off shaking her head slowly. "I thought I was doing what was for the best."
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Mama looked at me. Tears instantly filled her eyes. "I talked to Gianna." Her voice cracked softly.
Silence. The room went completely still. Angel's grip tightened around my arm while Pops face slowly hardened in realization.
I stared at my mother trying to process what she just said. "When?" I asked quietly.
"Monday." She wiped quickly underneath her eyes. "I just…wanted to protect you, baby."
My stomach dropped. "You told her leave me?" I whispered.
"No—no not exactly," she rushed out emotionally. "I just… I told her how worried I was. About you. About Melo. I just wanted her to understand how much this was impacting your life."
"You talked to her…" I repeated numbly.
And suddenly everything started making sense. The crying and guilt. The panic in her eyes.
I dragged both hands over my face turning away from everybody because anger and heartbreak hit me so hard at once, I thought I might actually lose my mind.
"Remel—" Mama reached for me.
"No." I stepped back.
Her face crumbled. "Let me explain," she whispered.
"You had no right." My voice shook. "Nofuckingright."
Pops stepped forward carefully. "Son—"
