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Shakira
Kendall was so damnhappy to be home.
It was honestly adorable to see the way just landing in Nashville had his dimples as deep as I’d ever seen them, the ride from the airport to the Green Hills suburb his mother lived in providing him an opportunity to proudly point out all the different landmarks along the way. And even though it was a lot for me to take in as a first-time visitor, I was happy to listen to his impromptu tour of the city, the passion behind it giving proof of just how important this trip back to his hometown was to him.
And how special it was that he’d invited me to join.
Sure, he might’ve mentioned it casually when we were first getting to know each other. But for him to have actually brought me here -and for the holiday at that- was a true milestone that had me cherishing every moment as Kendall navigated us through a nice ass neighborhood before he pulled into the driveway of a home that looked straight out of Southern Living magazine.
I was lowkey obsessed.
And also a little anxious since this would technically be my first time meeting Mrs. Dogwood.
But if she was anything like her son described,and nothing like her oldest daughter, I knew we’d get along just fine, that thought grounding me as Kendall and I exited the rental car and made our way towards the porch just as the front door was being opened by the youngest of the Dogwood bunch.
“About time y’all got here,” Anastasia groaned, pulling the door open a little wider so that Kendall and I could step inside while she informed him, “Your sister is already on my nerves asking for our ETA like the turkey giveaway doesn’t start for another hour.”
“Of course, she’s being annoying,”I thought, trying my best to keep my face neutral as Kendall shook his head and replied, “Guess that’s what I get for putting her in charge, huh?”
When Anastasia responded with a look that said,“Did you seriously expect anything different?”I wanted to co-sign so badly. But instead, I just pressed on with a knowing smirk that turned into more of a smile once I saw their mother rounding the corner with a big ol’ grin on her face and her arms already outstretched for a hug,
“There’s my baby boy,” she cooed, pulling her son in as tight as she could when she sang, “Aw, it’s so good to see you, Pup.”
“It’s good to see you too, Mama,” Kendall replied, holding her just as close before he took a step back to say, “This is my girlfriend, Shakira.”
The frown Kendall’s mother immediately responded with lowkey caught me off-guard until I learned it was only because, “I thought Ana said your name was Kiki?”
“Kiki is what most people call me, but I’ll answer to both,” I explained with a smile before telling her, “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Dogwood.”
“Girl, if Snoop is already bringing you home, you might as well start calling me Mama too,” she insisted with a wave of her hand, pulling me in for a quick hug before she asked, “Now where’s y’all stuff? I don’t see any bags.”
“I left ‘em in the car,” Kendall answered. “Figured there was no need to unload since Shakira and I are staying downtown.”
“Bullshit, y’all are,” his mother responded with a stern look, making Anastasia giggle as Mrs. Dogwood put one hand on her hip and argued, “You bought me this big ol’ house. The least you could do is stay in it for a few nights.”
She’d made a valid point. But instead of agreeing to his mother’s insistence right away, Kendall looked over at me to ask, “Are you good with that?”
His consideration was much appreciated.
Not that I was about to say “No” in front of his mama.
But still.
It was nice to be included in the decision even as I nodded and answered, “Yeah.Of course,” using the moment to also throw in a little compliment when I told her, “You havesucha beautiful home,Mrs… Mama Dogwood.”
“Thank you, Kiki. I sure appreciate that,” she replied with a warm smile thatjust… felt good.
Being herefelt good.
But unfortunately, just as quickly as I had that thought, Anastasia grumbled, “Kimberly is calling me again.”
“Tell that girl to relax,” Mrs. Dogwood complained, only for her youngest to hand the phone her way and suggest, “You tell her. She’s your daughter.” And like a boss, Mama Dogwood did exactly that, excusing herself as she answered the phone saying,“Kimberly Ann, we will be there when we get there. Those damn turkeys ain’t about to come back to life and fly away now, are they?”
The outlandish question made all three of us laugh as Kendall gently pressed his hand against my arm and said, “I’ma go get our bags out the car right quick.” And once he started heading for the door, Anastasia tagged on, “AndI’mgonna go change into something a lil’ less homely just in case one of Snoop’s fine ass homeboys from high school pulls up to get a free turkey.”
Throwing my support behind her plans, I cheered, “You do you, sis,” making her grin as she disappeared up the stairs. And with both siblings now gone,and Mama Dogwood off dealing with the third, I was left to find some business of my own, looking around a little bit before I gravitated towards the gallery of picture frames that were neatly arranged on a nearby wall.
Off the rip, it was clear just how tight knit the Dogwood family was, many of the photos featuring at least three out of five members, if not all five at once. But it was the picture of Mama Dogwood and Kendall’s father on their wedding day that I found myself observing a little more intently, the obvious love between them as they stared into each other’s eyes so heartwarming that I literally felt it in my chest as Kendall approached me saying, “That’s the last one we got of us all together as a family.”
