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Omega closes in on my backside, ready for whatever I’m sure while letting me handle my own problems. His silent strength surrounds me, exactly what I need, and I soak it up for what comes next.
“What has gotten into you, Astalia?” Mom looks genuinely shocked at my behavior. Usually, I’m the one to let things roll off my back while they say and do anything they want to me. Not anymore.
“What has gotten into me? You want to know what has gotten into me? You spent the last year ragging on the way I look, whether I have a man, whether or not one donut will keep me single forever. Then, you want to know what is wrong with me?”
“Yes.” She nods for emphasis. “What’s wrong?”
I look at her blank expression conveying that nothing I am saying is registering. “You. You are what is wrong. Because of you, I made up the whole boyfriend thing to make you happy not me, but it’s impossible to do anything right and I’m done trying. Omega is not my boyfriend of four months.”
She blinks, temporarily dumbfounded by my little nugget of truth, but it isn’t long before she fires back. “Excuse me? Why would you tell me you had a boyfriend when you didn’t? I did not raise you to be a liar, Astalia!” Mom sounds appalled and outraged.
“Well, the truth is I just met him two weeks ago and asked him to come here with me today, so I can present to you the man you want me to have. But in those two weeks since I met him, he has shown me so much. Number one, he has shown me that I’m beautiful. That these thick thighs are desirable. That my kinky hair is silky enough for him to run his fingers through. That my shirt fitting me this way is good enough for him. Mom, I am good enough! I am good enough! And I don’t have to take your abuse anymore.”
“Mama, you here this psychological babble Astalia is in here spitting? She got the nerve to act like you been abusing her.” James Jr. speaks up with disdain written on his face then turns to me. “Girl, you know damn well Mama ain’t abused yo’ ass.”
Mom raises her hand to quiet him, her expression no longer blank but remorseful. “James Jr. be quiet. Your sister is right.”
“What?” he asks with an astonished look on his face.
“Astalia, you’re right. I have been putting my faults off on you, and I’m sorry. When your dad died, I realized I was an old coot who had grown thick thighs and a stomach, and thought I would never be desired again. I then turned and looked at you and started to put all the pressure I was feeling on you. You don’t deserve it, my beautiful daughter.” She reaches her arms out. “Omega is right. You are beautiful just the way you are. Will you forgive me for making you feel less than that?”
“Mom, you’ve earned the right to be an old coot, to take it easy and gain a few pounds if you want. Or, lose a few. I don’t care how thick or cootish you are. All I want to do is make you happy, but I deserve to be happy too.”
Someone snorts in the background. “Cootish. Now, that’s a new one.”
Mom’s throat works hard to swallow. “I know that you’d do anything to make me happy. Deep down, I have always known that. That’s why I’m apologizing to you for being unable to stop myself from projecting my own insecurities onto you.” All of this because she is essentially lonely and doesn’t want me to be. When we are alone, I’ll introduce her to speed dating—it worked for me.
“Then, I accept your apology,” I murmur, hoping the fireworks are done.
“Thank you for that.” She shifts her gaze up to my man. “And Omega. Will you forgive me for speaking as I did about Astalia? Because whether you met my daughter two weeks ago or four months ago or four years, the way you defend her lets me know you’re head over hills in love with her.” I smile because I know this type of love is all my mother has ever wanted for me. It’s just her demands for me to find it immediately is what hit me so harshly.
“I am, and I accept your apology,” Omega says.
“I’m leaving,” Melz announces, her tiny voice much louder than usual.
“What? You’re not going nowhere.” James Jr. waves her off dismissively, making me bristle at his callous treatment of her. “Go back in that kitchen and get the kids something to eat so they won’t be hungry later tonight.”
Melz peers at James Jr. wide-eyed, like she’s having an epiphany. “No, James.” She takes off her engagement ring and throws it at him. Nope, the fireworks are definitely not done. “You’ve been no better to me than your mama has been to Astalia. It’s time I stuck up for myself too, and stop putting up with your… crap!” Crap is so not what she wanted to say as she eyeballs her husband hard. “I’m really done! I’m going to stay with my parents, and they already moved my things out while we were here.”
James Jr. does a double take, obviously not sure what to make of that. Melz starts packing up her kids, and I go over to help her, hugging her tight when we’re done. I don’t have to know what James Jr. has done to push her over the edge this time to lend her my support. I do know that she deserves better than his lack of care for her and their children.
Melz makes tracks for the door as everyone looks in sheer shock. James Jr. shakes his stupor to follow his family that he took for granted, arguing with her until she is safe inside her parents’ SUV already sitting outside waiting for her. I have never been so happy to see someone break away from another person as I am in that moment. It seems like everyone is having their breakthrough today.
Glancing around the living room at all the faces, my eyes land on Jayne and Jacobi. I hope these two are next to come to grips with what they need to do in their love lives.
Omega and I sit on the couch and he asks, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I assure him, though I have had enough drama for today. “About ready to go though.”
About that time, Micah comes through the front door. “Is there any food left? I know James Jr. and his tribe have probably run through everything,” he jokes.
No one laughs. Everyone has sober looks on their faces.
Micah browses the room, slowly picking up on the chilled atmosphere. “So what happened here? Why does everyone look like the grinch came in here and stole Christmas?”
Jayne is the one to speak up. “Well, Omega then Astalia let Aunt Sky know that they’re not here for the fat-shaming. Then, Melz stood up for herself ten years too late and let James Jr. know it’s over. She just left with the kids. Now that we got that out the way, we’re enjoying lemonade and eating turkey. What you got?”
I shake my head and stand up to hug my brother. I then hug Jayne and tell her I will talk to her soon. I go into Mom’s room where she is sitting on the bed with her back to me, looking out the window.
