Embarrassed, Tia tugged a loose lock of hair behind her ear, taking a quick glance at her date as he conversed with Wynn. “A few weeks.”
“No more Darnell?”
She shook her head. “No. Been there, done that. Don’t want to do it again.”
“Okay, then. I wish you and Chris all the best.”
“Thank you.”
Chris grabbed Adam’s hand and pumped it enthusiastically. “Beautiful ceremony. I wish you and Wynn the best.”
“Where are you headed for your honeymoon?” Tia asked.
Grinning, Wynn answered, wrapping her arms around Adam’s waist, “Two weeks in Hawaii.”
“Oh, man! That’s great.” Then Tia frowned. “Who’s going to keep your sons?”
“My mom and dad.” Wynn pointed toward the elder Evanses.
Tia hugged the couple. “Have a wonderful time.”
Grinning at her new husband, Wynn winked and answered, “We will.”
Adam wrapped an arm around his new bride and pulled her close. “Thank you. You guys are staying for dinner, aren’t you?”
“Of course,” Chris answered. “I understand The Whitney has excellent food.”
Tia hugged Wynn and then Adam one final time before moving on. “We don’t want to hold up the line. We’ll talk to you guys later.”
The reception went off without a hitch. As the evening progressed, Tia watched Adam and Wynn with awe. They were so happy together. The couple made time for all of their guests, stopping at each table to chat. Their first dance brought tears to Tia’s eyes, because they looked so happy and in love. When Wynn fed Adam a piece of cake, he leaned close and whispered something in her ear that made her blush.
Perfect. That was the word that described them. Tia was genuinely pleased for them. She hoped for a bright future. She turned to Chris, gazing upon his handsome face and wondering what the future held for them. Would they have their own happily ever after?
There were so many issues to consider. Race was just one of the many things they needed to address. Any decision Reynolds made about Chris’s future could destroy their future. What if Reynolds decided to send Chris to another office? What would happen to their budding relationship? Would or should she follow him to the next location?
What about Tia’s family? From the beginning, her mother had questioned their relationship and had shown some resistance to it. How would her brothers react to this new man in her life? It had taken them years to accept Darnell.
How about Chris’s family? How welcoming would they be to an African American woman?
Tia sighed. It was all too much to consider. Let it go, she decided. Enjoy the party. Think about the future tomorrow.
17
Offering up a silent prayer, Tia rode the elevator to the surgical suites of Harper University Hospital. Hospitals made her feel uncomfortable. Today was no exception. Tia scrunched up her nose against the odor of disinfectant and industrial cleaners as she rode the elevator.
She wished she were anywhere but here. Her family needed her, and she planned to be close by for Grandma Ruth. If Tia was lucky, she’d get a chance to see her before the doctors wheeled her into surgery.
Tia stepped off of the elevator and glanced each way. Where was the waiting room? she wondered, taking a tentative step to the nurses’ station.
“Tia,” called her mother from the opposite end of the hallway.
She turned. Mrs. Edwards stood in the center of the corridor, beckoning her. Tia changed direction. “Hi, Momma. Has Granny gone into surgery yet?”
“No. We got here about an hour ago. She’s up and awake. She’s being prepped now. Do you want to see her before they start?”
Tia nodded and then followed her mother. They stepped through a series of doors and entered a room filled with hospital gurneys separated by curtains used for privacy. Overwhelmed by worry, Tia swallowed hard and trailed her mother through the maze of curtains and medical equipment.
“Here we are,” Mrs. Edwards announced, slipping between the split in the curtain. Tia did the same.
Grandma Ruth sat on a narrow bed with an IV stuck into her left hand and a blue blanket pulled to her neck. “Hey, Tia. Come give your grandma a kiss.”
Love for this woman bubbled within Tia. Instantly, she went to her grandmother’s side and hugged her. After a second, she asked, “Are you ready for this?”
The senior member of the family replied, “I might as well be. That doctor is ready to cut me open.”
“Mother,” Mrs. Edwards chastised. “You agreed to this. Don’t talk that way.”
“What choice did I have? I intend to stay alive long enough to see my grandbabies get married. Maybe I’ll live long enough to see some great-grandkids. If this is the only way I can do it, then it will be done.” She looked directly at Tia and added, “Although I’m not real impressed with your choice right now.”
Embarrassed, Tia felt heat rise up the back of her neck. Yes, she knew her family was upset by her relationship with Chris, but like anything else in life, they’d get over it. All she needed to do was wait them out. “Let’s not talk about that right now, Grandma. I’m here for you.”
“Damn straight. This is my day.” The old woman wagged a finger in Tia’s direction and speared her with that look that made everyone squirm, including Tia’s mother. “All right. But we’re not done with this talk. When I get back on my feet, you and me are going to sit down together and work this out. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A woman in hospital scrubs poked her head between the curtains and said, “We’re ready for you, Mrs. Wilson. I’m going to ask your company to return to the waiting area.”
Nodding, Grandma Ruth opened her arms for one final hug. Tia and her mother rushed into her arms and hugged her close.
Tia kissed her cheek and rose. “I’m heading to the waiting area. You and Momma can have a moment.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later this evening,” Grandma Ruth promised.
“That’s a date,” Tia answered.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Mrs. Edwards replied.
Tia retraced her steps to the waiting room. Surprised, she stopped short of entering. “What are you doing here?”
Chris sat beside her father, talking softly. He looked up and found Tia in the doorway. Smiling warmly at her, he dropped the magazine in the empty chair next to him and moved to her side. He laid a gentle, reassuring hand on her arm and then rubbed it up and down, making her tingle all over. “I wanted to be here for you. I thought you might need me.”
Shaking her head, she asked, “How did you know which hospital?”
“I didn’t want you to be alone, so I’m here.”
“How?” Tia took a step back and gazed into Chris’s eyes.
Chris shrugged. “You weren’t ready to confide in me, but I knew you would need me. I called the hospitals until I found the right one. So here I am.”
Call hospitals! Chris was a nut. “What about the office?” Her eyes narrowed as she pictured his calendar in her head. “Didn’t you have a court date scheduled?” she asked.
“Rescheduled.”
Tia wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close. “Thank you for coming, but I didn’t want you to change everything for me.”
“Of course I would. You’re important to me.” He led her to the empty chair next to his. “Today is for your grandmother.”
“Thank you.” Tia grabbed his hand and squeezed, trying to convey all of her fears and emotions in that one touch. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“Come. Sit. We’ve got plenty of time before things are complete.”
Tia sat and stared at the television mounted on the wall. Chris sank into the seat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her against him. He kissed her forehead. “Relax. Everything is going to be perfect.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. Being close to Chris soothed her worried nerves. Grandma Ruth was precious to them all.
Although this was supposed to be an uncomplicated surgery, there were always risks, especially with an eighty-seven-year-old patient.
All was quiet for about five minutes until Junior and Nia strolled into the room together. “Hey, Dad.” Junior waved at them. He glared hard at Chris’s possessive arm around Tia, but he said nothing. Chris returned the glare with one of his own that said, “I’m here and you’re not going to stop me.”
Nia grinned at Chris and nodded approvingly. “Hi, Chris.”
“Hello, Nia. Comment allez-vous?” How are you?
“Worried for Granny,” Nia answered.
Tia stared at her sister. “Do you speak French?”
“Little bit.”
Shocked, Tia continued to stare at her sister. “When?”
Nia placed her hand on her hip and stated indignantly, “Just because I didn’t go to college doesn’t mean I didn’t learn anything in high school.”
“Hey, sis.” Junior squeezed Nia’s shoulder to signal that she needed to calm down.
Standing on the opposite side of Tia, he asked. “You okay?”
Tia nodded.
“Is Granny Ruth in surgery?” Nia asked, sitting in a chair close to their father.
“Not yet,” Mr. Edwards explained. “Your mother is still with her.”
“Can we go see her?” Junior asked.
“I don’t think so,” Tia responded. “I was in the prep room with Momma when the nurse asked me to leave. They were going to give Granny Ruth her anesthesia.”
Nia turned to Junior. “I think we’re a little late.”
Junior nodded as he leaned back in a chair and pulled a photography magazine from the back pocket of his denims. “Looks like it. I’ll wait until after surgery.”
“She’s on her way,” Mrs. Edwards announced as she entered the room.
Mr. Edwards met his wife in the center of the room and wrapped a reassuring arm around her. “Is everything okay?”
Eyes filled with tears, Mrs. Edwards nodded and pressed her lips together. She glanced at the members of her family until her eyes landed on Chris. Mrs. Edwards gripped her husband’s arm, narrowed her eyes, and scowled at the couple, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
“Come on, hon. We’ve got a long time ahead of us. Rest a little bit.” Mr. Edwards urged his wife toward a seat.
Andre and Andrew burst into the room. “Sorry we’re late,” Andre stated. “I couldn’t find a parking space.”
“How’s Granny?” Andrew asked. He gazed at Chris with a puzzled expression before dismissing the situation with a shake of his head and turning to his parents.
“Yes. Is she okay?” Andre queried.
“Just went into surgery,” Mr. Edwards answered. He pointed at two available chairs. “Sit down. There’s a long wait ahead.”
The twins did their father’s bidding and focused on the television mounted on the wall. A variety of talk shows filled their morning as they waited for news about their family matriarch. Junior finished reading his magazine and rummaged through the reading material in the waiting room. Nia played with her cell phone, texting people and answering messages. Her twin brothers stared blankly at the television.
Chris kissed Tia’s forehead, stood, and started for the door. “I’ll be back.”
Surprised, Tia glanced up at him. “Okay,” she muttered uncertainly. Where in the heck is he going?
As soon as Chris left the room, Mrs. Edwards demanded, “Why did you bring him here? He’s not part of our family. He has no place here.”
“I didn’t,” Tia said, feeling as if her mother was attacking her. Stunned by her mother’s angry words, she felt small and insecure.
“If you didn’t tell him, who did?” she asked as she rose from her seat and walked toward Tia. “Somebody had to let him know which hospital my mother would be at.”
“Chris said he wanted to be here for me,” Tia defended him.
“I don’t want him here.”
“Mother.” Nia stuffed her cell phone into her purse. “This is Tia’s friend. You’ve got Daddy to be with you. Don’t take that comfort away from your daughter.”
Mrs. Edwards’s voice changed to an accusatory note. “It doesn’t matter what the situation, you always take the opposite side.”
“That’s not what this is about. I’m not taking anyone’s side.” A flash of raw hurt spread across Nia’s face before she hid it behind her standard cocky attitude. “Why shouldn’t Tia have a friend who cares about her and wants to be at her side?”
Tia had had enough. She stood and demanded, “Stop talking about me as if I don’t exist. I did not invite Chris here. He called around until he found the right hospital. It was his decision to come. You shouldn’t get mad at him for caring.”
“Enough!” Mr. Edwards stated in a firm but soft tone. Everyone in the room turned to the head of the Edwards clan as he rose from his seat. “Jackie, stop it. In case you’ve forgotten, we’re here for your mother.”
“I…I know that,” Mrs. Edwards stammered.
“Then act like it. This is Tia’s friend, and he’s here for her, just like I’m here for you. This is not the time or place to voice any other concerns. Your mother is having surgery. Why don’t you focus on that?”
Practically in tears, Jackie Edwards returned to her seat and tossed a dismissive hand in the air. “Fine. I won’t say another word.”
“That may be a good thing,” Mr. Edwards replied, taking the chair next to her. He took her hand between both of his. “Let’s focus on Mom.”
All was quiet in the waiting room when Chris returned. He carried several bags and a carton in his hands. He dropped to one knee in front of Tia’s mother, removed a paper cup from the carton, and offered it to the older woman. “Mrs. Edwards, I thought a cup of coffee might help the time go by.”
Mrs. Edwards’s eyes widened in shock. She remained silent and folded her arms across her chest.
“That was nice of you, son. Thank you.” Mr. Edwards took the cup from Chris. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“It’s a long wait. I think everyone could use a little something.” Chris offered the bag to Mr. Edwards. “There are petit déjeuner sandwiches and doughnuts. Enjoy.”
He turned to Junior and offered Tia’s eldest brother a cup of coffee. “There’s a sausage sandwich and a cinnamon doughnut in this bag. Bon appétit.”
Junior took the bag. “Thanks, man.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Nia, I brought you a cappuccino.” Chris handed her a paper cup. “I didn’t think you’d want anything more.”
Tia’s twin removed the top from the cup, and the aroma of coffee filled the air. “That was thoughtful of you. I appreciate it.”
Chris handed another bag to Tia’s twin brothers before returning to Tia. Surprised, Andrew took the bag, took out a sandwich, and then passed the bag to his brother. “Thank you,” Andre replied.
Chris dropped into the chair next to Tia. “I know your nerves are stretched. Here is a cup of green tea. When you’re ready, I have a croissant for you.”
Her heart swelled with pride and something more. Chris always cared about the feelings of others. Although her mother had treated him shabbily, he still tried to help.
Like the sun coming out from behind rain clouds, Tia realized that she had fallen in love with Chris. His compassionate nature and concern for everyone around him was only one of the things that made him so dear and loving to her.
They concentrated on their meals. Chris’s treat seemed to lighten the mood, although they were still worried about their matriarch. The anger had fizzled. Before long, Tia’s brothers and sister were engaged in a discussion with Chris about the Detroit Tigers and the old Tiger Stadium. Time moved quicker and before they realized it, it was near noon.
Dr. Heuton stepped into the waiting room. The surgeon headed directly to Tia’s parents. The room went silent. “Everything is done, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards. Mrs. Wilson came through the procedure
perfectly.”
“No complications at all?” asked Mrs. Edwards with her hands linked.
“She was perfect.”
“So what’s next?” Mr. Edwards piped in.
“Because of her age, we’ll keep her for a few days to make certain there’s no infection. She might need a week or two of physical therapy. We’ll see how things go.”
Tia’s father stood. “Can we see her?”
“Sure. Remember, she’s under the influence of anesthesia. She may not make any sense.”
Dr. Heuton shook hands first with Mrs. Edwards and then with Mr. Edwards before leaving the room. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
“Thank God!” Nia got to her feet. “Let’s go see her.”
Tia followed her clan down the hall to the recovery room. Her mother and father swept into the room first. The rest of the family stood outside the open door, peeking in. Drugged, Grandma Ruth didn’t display her usual sassy attitude. The drugs made her lethargic.
They waited for the go-ahead from their parents. Junior commented, “She looks pretty good for somebody right out of surgery.”
Andrew nudged his brother and warned, “Don’t say too much. She might hear you.”
“Yeah.” Andre nodded. “Remember that time she was babysitting and we thought she was asleep and she heard and saw everything we did? She told Mom and Dad on us.”
“We were on punishment for a month,” Nia added. “We couldn’t watch television, we couldn’t go outside, and we had to go to bed right after dinner.”
“That’s what we had coming to us. We shouldn’t have had that kid in the basement,” Tia reminded. “Momma nearly lost her mind when she found out we had that runaway in the house for days while his parents were searching for him.”
Junior whistled. “When Momma found out, I thought her head was going to turn around like in The Exorcist.”
They all laughed.
“Hey, out there,” Grandma Ruth called in a groggy, tired tone. “Come on in. Let me see you before I go back to sleep.”
Everyone filed into the room, except Chris. He hung back, waiting in the hallway for them to finish their visit. Grandma Ruth looked past her grandchildren and directly at Chris. “You too.”
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