I didn’t know what to say. It was the first time the scenario had been flipped, when he knew what to say and I was completely stumped. “I’m still sorry that she spoke to you like that when you don’t—”
“Baby, it’s okay.” He cupped my cheeks and gave me another kiss. “Goodnight.”
He made me feel better, took the stress off my shoulders, thought about my feelings and disregarded his own. “Goodnight.”
He walked down the hallway and took the stairs.
I sighed before I stepped inside the apartment.
Lizzie was already eating on the couch, scarfing down her greasy food and milk shake. “Man, this is sooooo good. Way better than—”
“Lizzie.” Even though my mom had just pissed me off, I didn’t want Lizzie to disrespect her grandmother.
Lizzie continued to watch TV as she ate her fries out of the bag.
I faced my mom, giving her a cold stare.
She knew I wouldn’t say anything in front of Lizzie, so she kissed her granddaughter goodnight then walked into the hallway.
I let her leave and knew I should just let this go.
But nope. I never let anything go.
I went after her and shut the door behind me. “Mom, what the hell was that?”
She spun back around. “Why does he deserve to risk nothing when you have to risk everything? You have a daughter. You’re always going to have a daughter. If he really wants to be with you, he should be hustling his ass to be with both of you. He doesn’t deserve to drop you off clandestine-style and then just leave—”
“Mom, this is not uncommon. People see if they’re serious before they expose their children to a new person. I’m protecting Lizzie by making sure this is the real deal before I let her get attached. So, stop blaming him.”
The fire dwindled in her eyes.
“I don’t want to rush anything until we’re both ready. And frankly, it’s none of your business, Mom.”
“It is my business when I’m the one watching her—”
“Then I’ll get a babysitter,” I snapped. “But we both know you don’t want that. Don’t sabotage my relationship. Don’t speak to him like that. He’s a great person. You have no idea.”
“Exactly. I have no idea.”
I sighed. “We’ve only been dating for like six weeks. I wouldn’t introduce him to my parents this soon anyway.”
“But you met his?” she challenged.
“That was his decision—”
“Emmy.” She held up her hand. “He introduced you to his friends tonight. First, his family and now his friends—and you still don’t bring him around. Why? Are you embarrassed of us? You think if he meets Lizzie, he’ll leave?”
“Of course I’m not embarrassed—”
“Then what?” she demanded.
“I just… He’s a really gifted person—”
“Yes, I already know this.”
“So, conversations and social situations aren’t as easy for him as they are for us. I just want him to interact with Lizzie in the right way, when he’s ready to do that, when I’m ready to do that.”
“He seemed fine just now.”
“Yes, I was shocked. But I knew he did that for me because he doesn’t want to lose me. Mom, he really cares about me. He wants to be with me, no matter what. So, let us grow this relationship on our own terms. Don’t provoke him or disrespect him like he’s a teenage boy who knocked me up. This is a grown-ass man.”
Her eyes instantly became subdued.
“I know you don’t want me to get hurt again, Mom. I understand. But Derek is not someone who’s going to knock me up and leave. He’s the best man I’ve ever known besides Dad. You’ll love him. I promise you. Just…be patient.”
She inhaled a deep breath, looking guilty for her previous behavior. “I’m sorry. I just… All of that feels like it happened yesterday, even though I look at my twelve-year-old granddaughter every day and see her age. I know how hurt you were, and I …can’t go through that again.”
“I know, Mom.” I came closer to her then wrapped my arms around her. “But Derek won’t hurt me. I’m not just some random woman to him. He loves me.”
She pulled away and looked at me. “He said that to you?”
Not exactly. “No, but I know how he feels.”5DerekMy weekend was the same as all the others.
Just worked.
Now that I didn’t go out with the guys anymore, I stayed home most of the time. They were all single and looking to go out and hook up, and since I wasn’t interested in that anymore, I just didn’t fit.
And women just made passes at me the whole time, and it got really annoying. I wondered if I wore a wedding ring if they would leave me alone, but I suspected that still wouldn’t deter them.
Because people fucking sucked.
It was Sunday when my mom texted me. Hey, honey. What are you doing today?
Working. I was just like Dad. That was all I ever did.