Page 67 of Tension

I got my chillness from my dad, but my boldness definitely came from my mom. She said what she wanted, when she wanted, and how she wanted.

She didn’t have a rude or mean personality. I know I can come off that way sometimes.

My mama was just a bold woman.

“Come on, let's go sit down and talk while they finish up.”

“No, you guys can have a seat. I'll finish helping Levell.”

“Nope, I got it,” my dad told her, shooing them away.

She followed my mama into the living room, giving me wide eyes like she was scared.

“How you doing, son?”

“I’m better than good, Dad,” I told him.

“Love will do that to you.”

“How you know I'm in love?” I hadn't told my parents how serious I was with Chris. They just knew I had a girlfriend, and I told them a bit about her.

“The way you talk about her. Hell, the fact that you even told us about a girl, period, was surprising.”

I started laughing at that.

“Come on, I'm not that bad.”

“After what you went through with that girl in college. I never wanted to see you hurt like that again. But I hated how closed off to love you were.”

“I wasn’t necessarily closed off. I just knew I hadn’t found the one.”

“And now you have?”

“You heard Mama; that’s her daughter-in-law now, so I think I'm locked in regardless of how I feel.”

“Your feelings always matter, son.” He slapped me on the shoulder.

I knew he was looking for a real answer, so I gave him one.

“I love her, dad. I already got the ring. She’s been through a lot in life, from losing her mom at a young age, then losing her dad, and finally leaving an abusive relationship. I’m taking my time, but she knows I'm not going anywhere.”

He nodded. “Just remember the three C’s: communication, consistency, and connection.”

Dinner went well once Chris got comfortable; she and my mother cracked jokes and matched each other's energy.

My mother had pulled a photo album out of her purse, and she and Chris were sitting hip to hip, looking at pictures.

“Oh my goodness, is he outside running around naked?”

I lowered my head, knowing exactly what picture she was looking at.

“Vel was always a runner. Dominic Sr. and Jr. couldn't even catch him.”

“How far apart are they?” Chris asked.

“Ten years I had Dominic young, and Levell was an accident.”

I sucked in a breath like I was shocked and offended by being called an accident.