Nola put her head in Mrs. Chambers’ lap and sobbed quietly. I felt like I was intruding on the intimate scene, but I didn’t dare leave. I couldn’t. It was evident Nola’s mother loved her desperately, even if she didn’t know how to express it all of those years.
“Darling, you’re still my proudest achievement and my most precious gift. I was a terrible mother, but I never stopped loving you, okay?”
“Okay, mommy,” Nola murmured into her mother’s blouse.
“Now, I don’t have much time left, but I know you’ll be fine. You’re brilliant, you’re strong, and you have Scout,” she said, reaching over to grab my hand. “I know we just met, but Scout reminds me so much of Ian. Tall, good heart, handsome as hell.” Mrs. Chambers smiled back and I almost broke down at her endorsement. She was entrusting her most precious gift to me, and I knew I couldn’t let her down. “I know you’re scared to end up like me, baby girl, but I loved your father more than life itself, and I wouldn’t trade my time with him for anything in this world. You were the apple of your daddy’s eye, and if Scout treats you even half as well as Ian treated me, you’re in for a lifetime of happiness.”
“Okay,” Nola hummed.
“And Scout,” Mrs. Chambers met my eyes, “if you even think about mistreating my daughter, Ian and I will haunt you for the rest of your life, you hear me?”
I didn’t believe in ghosts, but somehow, I knew Mrs. Chambers wasn’t joking. “Okay, ma’am.”
“Now help me up, I’m going to go water my plants and get a little color in these cheeks.”
Nola sprang up from the couch and grabbed her mother’s arm, helping her to her feet. “Do you need any help outside, mom?”
“No, darling, I’ve got it covered. Besides, you two have a few things to talk about. Isn’t that right, Scout?” she asked, winking at me.
Nola helped her mom to the door and into the yard, then returned to the couch and curled up next to me. “What was that about?”
“Maybe she wants us to work on those grandbabies,” I said, smiling.
Nola elbowed me in the ribs. “Yeah, right. I don’t think so.”
Still chuckling, I placed a kiss in her hair. “You okay?”
“A little. It’s so weird. On my flight down here a had a whole speech planned out about how I’d been feeling all these years, but now, everything just feels so…insignificant.”
“Your mother loves you, Nola.”
“I know…and that’s all that matters.”
I slung my arm around her shoulders and she snuggled further into me. “I could get used to this.”
“Yeah,” she placed a kiss on my neck, “me too.”
“Be careful,” I warned, “I might want to stay like this forever.”
Nola stared up into my eyes and smiled. “What are you talking about, Scout?”
I ran my thumb over her lips and lowered my mouth to hers. Nola’s lips tasted salty and sweet like her strawberry lip gloss had mixed with her tears. “You’re it for me, Nola.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, wide-eyed and beautiful as ever.
“You’re my forever, baby, and when you’re ready, I’m going to ask a question that’ll change both our lives.”
About the Author
Britni Danielle is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications including Essence, Jet, Ebony, Clutch, and Heart & Soul.
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Books by Britni Danielle:
Turn It Loose
Two Steps Back
Bad Dates & Other Disasters Vol. 1
Bad Dates & Other Disasters Vol. 2
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When You're Ready Page 24