Oni chuckles and goes to wipe away her tears. I notice the moment her mother sees her engagement ring. Her expression becomes confused and then she bounces her gaze behind Oni to me.
I give a warm smile and close the distance I had given them to have their moment. Placing a hand on Oni’s back, I settle at her side. She looks up at me and smiles.
“Mom, I want you to meet someone. Rico, this is my mother, Brenda Raven. Mom, this is Rico Gallo.”
Her mother says my last name at the same time Oni does. I shouldn’t be as surprised as I am. I know she dated my uncle.
The men in my family have strong genes. We all look alike. I could pass for Uncle Emilio’s son.
The way Brenda is glaring at me, I would think I was my uncle himself. However, it’s the venom she says the name with. There’s so much hatred in her voice.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Raven,” I say and hold my hand out.
“Oni, what’s going on? Why are you wearing that ring and where on earth did you meet this … this young man?”
“Rico and I met three years ago when I was in Miami. He proposed when I came home. We asked you here tonight so we all can get acquainted.”
“We who?”
“Rico, his mom and dad. Please, Mom, Rico and I love each other.”
Brenda places a hand to her forehead and the other on her hip. My stomach sinks. This isn’t going how we wanted.
“Are you close with your uncle? Is he involved in your life? What is it you do for a living?”
“I’m not close with my uncle. We don’t see eye to eye on some things he has done. However, he is involved in my life. I run a few clubs and manage some properties,” I reply.
“Fuck, I need a drink,” she gasps.
“What? What’s going on, Mom? Rico makes good money, but I don’t rely on him for my income. What’s the problem?”
“Oni, please shut up. I can’t do this right now. I can’t sit and pretend you’re not lying to my damn face. Not when you’re involved with these people.”
Oni jerks her head back. People are starting to stare, so I lead them both to have a seat at the table. My thoughts are all over the place.
“Can I have two fingers of whiskey?” Oni’s mom says to the waitress she waved over. “Make that three.”
“Mom?”
She shakes her head, then places her elbow on the table and palms her forehead in her hand. I look to Oni and she looks like she’s about to lose it. I lean in and peck her lips then whisper into her ear.
“It’s going to be okay. She’s just in shock.”
The waitress comes back with Brenda’s drink. She downs it in one gulp. For the second time, Oni and I refuse a drink, but Brenda asks for another.
“I’ve known from the beginning you weren’t telling me the whole truth, but Claude was backing you. Never in a million years did I think he would allow you to get mixed up with their family.
“I turned a blind eye because you went away to school. I thought I finally got you away from their world. Engaged?
“How is that even possible? A few clubs and manage some properties.” She scoffs. “Do you know that’s the same bullshit he and your father told me when I met them?”
“Mom, slow down, my head is spinning.”
“Does he know?” She looks to me with her last question.
“Yes, my uncle knows.”
“Oni, I can’t allow this. Emilio will eat you alive.”
