“Your mama’s been checking back here every half a minute looking for you. I finally told her to go tend to her guests and I’ll do stake out duty. Just like the old days hey boy.” He slapped my back but his eyes weren’t on me. “Jarvis this is my girl Melissa, Melissa this is Jarvis my coconspirator.” The two of them shook hands and Jarvis was beaming like an idiot. When he started to regale her with stories of my misspent youth it was time to go. “I’ll see you later Jarvis I better go see mom and dad.”
She had relaxed a little after her talk with Jarvis but as soon as she saw the room full of people in their evening dress she tensed up again. “It’s okay baby you look beautiful.” She did too in her floor length navy colored ball gown. I’d tried to find something to put around her shoulders since the damn thing was backless and strapless and what the fuck. But of course there was nothing to go over it and she claimed it was the only appropriate thing she had to wear. See why a man has to stay on top of his woman’s shit?
They’d done something with her hair too that made it sparkle with pearls or some shit that matched the top of her dress. She looked hot which I’d told her innumerous times already. Dad saw us first and made his way across the room to us. “Caleb your father is…”
“He’s just a man babe don’t freak. Good evening governor, I see mom corralled you into a monkey suit.”
“Boy you know I look good, don’t be jealous.” He pulled me in for a hug and a kiss on each cheek before setting me away to study me like I was sixteen again. “I forgot what your face looked like it’s been so long.” I shook my head at him because he was lying his ass off. “It’s only been a few months.”
“And you must be the beautiful Melissa I’ve been hearing so much about?” He turned to my girl giving her the once over.
“Dad this is my fiancé Melissa, Melissa my dad Clayton McNamara.” He pulled her in for a hug and kiss as well but didn’t let go.”
“Hands off my woman go find yours.”
“You always were a selfish child.”
Melissa hadn’t said a single word throughout this whole exchange and I was beginning to wonder if she’d gone into shock. Dad understanding the situation set about trying to put her at ease. I kept my arm wrapped around her for comfort as she finally opened up and started answering his questions. She’s probably going to give me hell later for not telling her but I knew she would’ve worried herself to death if I’d told her before hand. This way she could see for herself that they were just ordinary people.
“Where’s mom?”
“She went upstairs with your godmother and some of their friends a minute ago. Here they come now.” Mom didn’t exactly screech when she caught sight of us but it was close. She made a beeline for us but instead of greeting her son she went straight for her new daughter in law. “Oh my word Caleb she’s gorgeous, those pictures didn’t do her justice.” They started talking in a language I didn’t understand, about dress designers and hairstyles and what the fuck ever as dad and I watched.
“I’m taking her to meet the others you two catch up.”
“Mom…”
“Oh hush Caleb she’s perfectly fine with me.” And off she went dragging poor Melissa with her. When she looked back over her shoulder at me I just gave her the ‘you’ll be ok’ sign, I’m sure mom would take care of her.
MELISSA
I’m going to kill Caleb McNamara. No wonder his name had seemed so familiar when we first met, I just never put two and two together. I’m not the most in the know person when it comes to politics and stuff like that. And even tough my family were members of certain circles mom’s prejudice had kept me out of their midst. I knew of the McNamara’s of course, who didn’t? So I know they were rich before the father became governor of the state in the last election three years ago.
His mom was talking but truth be told I wasn’t hearing a word because my ears were still ringing. I’d never thought to ask Caleb anything more about his family than what he’d shared and he’d never let on. “Relax child my son told me he wasn’t going to tell you about us before we met and though I didn’t understand his reasoning at the time I figured he knew best. Now you just relax, you’re a part of our family now no need to be tense.”
Easy for you to say lady; Caleb’s mom Lydia was amazingly beautiful for a woman who had to be in her sixties. She wasn’t much taller than me with a slender build. My first thoughts were of my mom and how she would be embarrassed by me, but this woman didn’t seem to mind that I wasn’t a size two as she showed me off to her friends. In fact there were a few women here who were my size and some a little bigger. They were beautiful and didn’t seem to have the same anxiety I was beginning to have being in the midst of all this high society.
I was more than a little surprised when she kept introducing me as her new daughter in law with so much pride in her voice. It was almost too much to take in at once. These women weren’t interested in my weight or eating habits or any of the other things I’d built up in my head from the way mom had always made it seem my weight was always going to be an issue if she took me along with her and my sister. I could’ve cried at the way they carried on when Lydia told them I owned my own florist or as she put it the quaintest little shop in town.
People were asking me for business cards and wanting to know if I did weddings and other occasions. Pretty soon I forgot to be nervous and just enjoyed the attention. That could have something to do with the glass of champagne Lydia had forced into my hand at the beginning of the introductions. Whatever it was I was glad for it.
As the evening wore on and more guests started to arrive I was finally settled. Caleb had snatched me from his mother and her friends when his godmother Marcia tried talking me into posing for her magazine. “Caleb why didn’t you tell me your godmother owned that magazine when I mentioned it to you weeks ago?”
“You’re not posing for any magazine so what difference does it make?”
“But Caleb it’s not lingerie she said it would be evening gowns and formal wear just like I’m wearing right now.” He gave me the stink eye and his jaw started doing that twitching thing it does when he’s not happy but I wasn’t about to let up. I was kind of excited at the idea of being in that magazine.
CALEB
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. I should’ve waited until the folks went back to the homestead and made the long ass drive up there. Instead I’d waited until they came down to the governor’s mansion, which wasn’t that far from where I lived. Dad had opted not to live full time in the mansion but he used it for official parties and shit like that, but the rest of the time they stayed at the family home.
I’d been worried about her being comfortable here in this setting after all the shit her mother had said to her over the years but I should’ve known with mom on the job there was nothing to worry about. I hadn’t told her about Melissa’s hang-ups just that my girl was beautiful and sweet and that I was in love with her. That had been enough for the harridan. Now she and her best friend my godmother, were trying to talk my woman into this modeling shit.
“You don’t have time for that shit babe, you’ve got the shop remember?” I had her sequestered in a corner away from the others because it was the only way to get any peace. I wasn’t expecting this latest development but maybe I should’ve been. Aunt Marcia is a damn pain in the ass and my girl is gorgeous. I just thought you needed to be a professional to do that shit. “You really want to do this baby?” She nodded her head at me, her eyes bright with excitement. She’d been going on and on about the women wanting to come down to see her shop and making arrangements for somebody’s baby shower and a whole lot of shit I didn’t necessarily understand but she was happy and that’s all the fuck I cared about.
“Fuck baby you know how I feel about sharing you with the rest of the damn state.” She was so excited though and she would be wearing clothes so I guess that was okay. “Fine but you’re not signing any contracts.” I have plans for her body in
the next few months so they’d better get their shit done quick. She kissed me and wrapped her arms around me for a squeeze. “Thanks Caleb this is so exciting.” I kissed the top of her head and was about to take her upstairs to show her around when someone called her name.
I turned to see an older replica of my girl. She had my baby’s face yes but the sour expression detracted from that beauty. Melissa had turned to a block of ice under my arm so I didn’t need anything more to tell me that this was her mother. The young lady next to her was pretty enough but she was nowhere near the beauty my baby was. Then again I’m bias so for all I know she could be the next Miss. America, for me there was no contest. My baby won hands down.
“Mom, what are you doing here? I thought…”
“I should be asking you that question young lady. I told you I was bringing your sister, how dare you show up here like this?”
I wanted to strangle this bitch on the spot but Melissa was already near tears. Did this thing even care that she was embarrassing her daughter in front of me? She didn’t even know who I was since she’d never taken the time to get to know me and this is how she approaches her? In this setting?
“Good evening, Mrs. Jackson I presume? I’m Caleb McNamara, Melissa’s fiancé and since this is my parents’ home for the next year at least I think she has every right to be here.” Not the most diplomatic way to break the news to her but I’m hoping the evil bitch would have a heart attack and croak. Who the fuck does this shit? She took a step back and looked back and forth between us with her mouth open.
“Is this some sort of joke? I assure you Melissa if it is I don’t find it the least bit funny.” The sister Lisa stepped forward and hugged Melissa with a smile of congratulations that seemed genuine enough so I’ll let her ass live. I stepped towards the mother ready to blast her ass. I’d gotten a pretty good idea of what she was from the way Melissa spoke of her but seeing was fucking believing.
“What kind of beast treats their own with such disdain? And for what, because she isn’t your ideal of what a woman should look like? Who the fuck are you to decide that shit?”
“Caleb calm down please it doesn’t matter. Lets not talk about this now. Mom I’m sorry if my being here upsets you…”
“Kill that shit Melissa, don’t you dare apologize to her for being here are you nuts? You, if you upset my woman I’ll have you escorted off the premises. Don’t fuck with me lady you’re already skating on thin fucking ice.” Forget taking it easy on her ass because she’s family. She didn’t seem to have any problem showing her true colors, why the fuck should I?
“How dare you young man? She’s my daughter and I’ll speak to her anyway I see fit. Now Melissa I think you owe me an explanation for this behavior. There’s no way this imposter is the governor’s son.” I guess she’s never seen my dad in person before because we have the same fucking face, unless she was blind. Whatever her problem was I really didn’t care at this point. Her whole approach had killed any qualms I had about telling her about herself before now. This wasn’t a mother, I don’t know what the fuck she was but if my mother had treated my sister like this I would’ve ripped into her ass a long time ago.
“Melissa where’s your dad?” She never spoke too much about him and I never questioned it before but if I was going to do clean up I might as well do it all at once. Any man that stood back and let his woman mistreat his kid was on my shit list too. “He’s um…he left when we were younger.”
“I don’t see that that’s any of his business who is he anyway?” I decided to ignore her ass and focus on what my girl had said. “I can see why he would do that. What I can’t understand is why he would leave his children behind with this. And you Lisa have you ever stood up for your sister? Didn’t you see her being suffocated by this hate?”
“Caleb this isn’t the time or the place, please can we just get out of here?” She whispered that shit in my chest but I wasn’t having it.
“No your days of running from this shit are at an end. She brought the fight to me now she can deal with the fallout.” I saw dad walking by with some big shot talking his ear off; I didn’t give a fuck. “Dad over here a minute.” I called out to him and he made his excuses and came over.
“Hey son thanks; and who do we have here?” He was all smiles and political charm as he shook hands with the two women.
“This is Maureen and Lisa Jackson, Melissa’s mother and sister.” He must’ve heard the bite in my voice because he turned a questioning look my way. “Mrs. Jackson my father Governor McNamara.” I could see the truth finally sinking in as she tried to back pedal. That bitch could backpedal her ass into the fucking lake for all I cared. For what she did here tonight she’d be lucky if she ever walked in my woman’s shadow again.
“Oh so pleased to meet you governor McNamara this is my daughter Lisa.” She pulled Lisa forward like she was an offering or some shit and I finally got it. I kinda felt sorry for Lisa in that moment when she looked at me and realized that I’d seen what was going on. I pulled Melissa into my chest and kissed her hair sending up a silent prayer of thanks that she’d escaped this fucking snake. Knowing my girl she didn’t have a clue what was going on right in front of her.
“If you’ll excuse me ma’am my wife was just asking for Caleb and Melissa to join her I’m sure we’ll see you soon. Have a wonderful evening and thank you for coming.” I guess dad had read me right after all. Maureen didn’t know what to do with herself. I’m sure she thought proper etiquette would be for the governor to invite the mother of his new daughter in law to sit with him and his wife. She didn’t know the son had learned everything he knew from his dad. It was a toss up as to who was the biggest bastard of the two; especially when it came to our women.
I couldn’t tell you much about the rest of the evening because I spent the rest of my time watching over her. I could see mom and dad were dying to ask me questions but I wasn’t talking. Melissa didn’t have a very good time either after that little encounter though she tried to put up a brave front. Hopefully what I had for her later will do the job.
I left her with mom when the last of the guests had finally gone. I’d told her mother that we would be by sometime soon to see her as that seemed to be the only way to get rid of her when it was time to go. If she thought she was going to ride on Melissa’s coat tails at this point she was sorely mistaken. Her daughter might have a soft heart where she was concerned but I had no such malady. And if what I suspect is true I would remove her younger daughter from under her thumb as well. The poor girl was barely twenty from what I understand.
“I’ll be right back babe just hang with mom for a minute okay.” She was a little less tense now that her mom was gone. “I’m proud of you baby.” And I was. Though she’d become tense there at the beginning she didn’t break and she’d kept her head up the rest of the evening. Looking back I guess it could’ve been worst than it was so I was grateful for that. I’m not sure our next meeting with her mother will end so cordially but we’ll just have to wait and see.
“I guess you’ll be wanting that thing you asked your mother and I to bring down from the house now.” I followed dad up to his study. I can’t say I’m too fond of the governor’s mansion. It doesn’t feel like home and never have any of the times I’d visited in the past. Thankfully my parents didn’t choose to live here year round or I might never see them.
He walked over to his safe and removed the box that held the jewelry suite that was more than a hundred years old. Inside were a necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet in sapphires and diamonds. The engagement ring had a center stone of sapphire the size of a robin’s egg surrounded by diamonds.
“Your mom had it looked over and cleaned but it’s the same as it always was. You’re happy son?” I knew what he was asking me. The woman who wore this ring was the only one who would ever wear it. I had to be sure that Melissa was the one. I wasn’t mad at him for asking. He was just a father looking out for his son, which is something I will one day
do. “Yeah dad, I’m very happy. You should know I wouldn’t do this lightly.”
We talked some more about my future plans before we went to find the women. We were staying the whole weekend here so I took Melissa up to our room not long after. Whatever she and mom had talked about seemed to have brought her back around and she wasn’t looking so down in the dumps anymore.
In our room I sat her on the edge of the bed and removed her shoes. “How are you baby?” I looked up at her after kissing the tops of her feet. She ran her hand over my head and smiled just a little. There was still just the slightest tinge of sadness in her eyes but I understood. I had finally seen why she’d been as she was, why she’d thought she was undeserving of love. I still don’t know what her mother’s real problem is. Though I can see from our first meeting she has many, but I know it’s up to me to undo the damage completely.
“I wanted to do this another way, you know with candles and flowers and all that happy shit, but I think now is the perfect time for us.” I lifted the velvet box with the satin lining from where I’d hidden it from view. Her legs started to tremble and she covered her mouth with her hands. “Melissa, give me your hand.” That too trembled when I took it and slid the ring onto her finger. I studied it there for the longest time as something inside of me settled. “This was meant for you. I was meant for you and you for me. This is just another part of our journey. It’s is not the end goal it’s just the beginning for you and I. Note I’m not asking you to marry me, I’m claiming you, there’s a difference. Just like the mark on your neck, and your collar, this is a sign of my ownership. I take you Melissa Jackson as mine.” She hadn’t said a word but the tears were streaming down her face. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her.
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