Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
She doesn’t reply, but bites into her toast and smiles over my shoulder. “Esmerelda, all done?”
“Yes,” the soft reply comes from behind me.
“Thank you. Then let me grab my checkbook.” Mama stands and shoots me a look loaded with reproach and warning. “I’ll be back.”
When I was growing up, that look paired with that tone would have me stewing in dread and trepidation. Instead, I can’t wait until she comes back. I’m right and I want this fight.
“As I was saying,” Mama starts when she sits down again.
“Actually, I was asking if you know your son cheats on his wife, and I was waiting for your answer.”
“I’m aware they’ve had some challenges, yes, as all young couples do. That doesn’t make him unfit for office. Surely many of your candidates had those kinds of…challenges.”
“Of course, but they wouldn’t be dragging the Allen name through the mud with their weak character and incompetence. Daddy’s legacy is attached to Keith, and—”
“Ha!” Her scoffing laugh cuts over my point.
“Excuse me? But did you have something to say? If so, say it, Mama.”
“Your father’s legacy,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Girl, is that tea or Kool-Aid you’re drinking? Your daddy wasn’t perfect.”
“He was a great man,” I fire back, ice stiffening my spine.
“I’m not saying he wasn’t. Of course he was, but the women married to great men know they fart in their sleep and leave the toilet seat up. They are human. Your brother is human, imperfect, the same way your father was imperfect.”
“My father was no cheat.”
“How do you know what goes on between a man and a woman behind closed doors?”
“Are you saying—”
“I’m saying Keith and Delaney’s problems shouldn’t keep him from serving this state. You hold him to an impossible standard, which is your father. He always did spoil you.”
“Spoiled? Me? Keith is the one you both spoiled, allowing him privileges neither Kayla or I ever had simply because he was a boy. Letting him run wild so now he’s an entitled, underachieving, underperforming brat who assumes he can ride my father’s name and legacy into office. Well, not on my watch and not until I’m satisfied he will serve the people of this district well.”
Mama sighs with a despairing shake of her head. “You’re just like your father.”
“Thank you.”
Mama whips a glance at me, rolls her eyes and relinquishes a tiny smile. Against my will and better judgment, my lips quirk, too. Our clashes of will usually end in mutual respect.
“Look,” Mama says, “I know Keith has some growing to do, but no one’s perfect. Your daddy certainly wasn’t when we first got married.”
“I repeat. Are you saying Daddy cheated on you?”
Mama’s expression closes. She pulls her lashes down and tightens her lips at the corners. “Your father was faithful our entire marriage, as far as I know, and he was the kind of man who couldn’t have lived with that lie. So…no, he didn’t cheat.”
Relief releases the breath I was holding. “I don’t expect Keith to be perfect, but I do expect him to do better and to be prepared.”
“His heart is in the right place. He’s not corrupt like some of these folks running for office. If you’ll be in Georgia anyway, helping Congressman Ruiz run for governor, it’ll be easier to advise Keith, too.”
My shoulders, held battle-tense, relax a bit. “We’ll see. Ruiz has to choose me first. There are a few firms he’s considering.”
“Considering?” Mamas brows snap together. “Did he not see what you did for Maxim Cade?”
“Well, Maxim is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate. Charlie Brown probably could have managed that campaign and won.”
“Don’t do that, Tru,” Mama says, eyes narrowed, voice dropped. “They diminish us enough without you making yourself small. You descend from queens. And I’m not talking about going all the way back to Africa. I’m talking about your grandmother who put her life on the line as a freedom rider. Your aunt who was a pastor when they said women couldn’t be and led one of the largest congregations in the South. Your great-great grandmother, who, with a sixth-grade education, opened her own restaurant and became one of the wealthiest women in this city.”
“I know, Mama.” I chuckle at her shaking the branches of the family tree to make her point. “You’ve told us a million times.”
“Well don’t you forget it. Congressman Ruiz would be lucky to have you manage his campaign, and better hope you’re still available and interested by the time he realizes it.”
“That part,” I agree, feeling some of my usual confidence surfacing. I reach across and touch her hand. “Thank you, Mama.”
She squeezes my hand briefly before pulling away to eat her breakfast.
“And I’ll see what I can do for Keith,” I say grudgingly. “At least sit down with him and hear where his head is at.”
Mama nods. “Thank you. I’m the first to admit he’s not always…responsible, but he has potential. If your father were still around…”