Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
He could hear Mama’s dog Toby scampering and barking as if he were the most feared beast on the block, warning them to brace themselves for his grand viciousness. Mama could be heard saying, “I’m coming!” in a sing-song voice.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “Mama’s dog is an old terrier. The most he could do is gum your ankle to death.”
Genesis burst out laughing but stopped abruptly as the doorknob turned. Mama stood there with her peachy cheeks and bright eyes, wearing a lilac jumper, lilac dot earrings and a matching necklace. Her hair was pinned up with dark purple Asian style chopsticks and ornate gold hair pins, and on her feet she sported a pair of shiny purple Mary Jane shoes. Mama often reminded him of a life-sized doll on its way to church.
“You look so pretty!” Genesis squealed. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Bonnie.”
Mama’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, and then she gasped. After a few troubling seconds, she found her voice again.
“Uh…yes! Um, thank you, sweetheart! How nice of you. Uh, please come in!” Mama grew red as a tomato in the face. Roman sighed but offered no explanation. He knew what was going on, but it wasn’t his place to say anything just yet. When they stepped in, he noticed Mama’s purse and car keys on the counter.
“Mama, I’ve already paid for the spa, and Genesis has my credit card to cover a shoppin’ spree and lunch for the two of you.”
“Roman, I can’t believe you’re doing this!” She played nervously with her necklace as she shot her gaze between him and Genesis.
“I love doing things like this for the ladies in my life.” He winked, and they both blushed.
“You’d think it was my birthday or something. It’s too much!” The woman shook her head, a sweet smile on her face. “You spoil me! Genesis,” she turned to his fiancée, “Roman spoils me and I tell him not to do it all the time. This is over the top. I don’t want no shoppin’ spree. I got two bags of clothes that are too dang small, or not my taste any longer, to haul off to the Goodwill as is! I only agreed to the spa and lunch because I wanted to spend a lil time with my future daughter-in-law, but he insisted and wouldn’t let me off the phone until I promised.” She waved her hands about.
“Roman loves you, Ms. Bonnie. He just wants us to talk, get to know one another and have a nice day is all. It’ll be fun!”
Mama took Genesis’ hands into hers and looked at her with a discerning eye.
“Gosh, you’re so stinkin’ lovely, young lady! What a pretty girl you are.”
“Thank you, Bonnie. So are you.”
Mama shook her head. “No, not really, but I used to be, and that’s fine by me. I’m okay being just average. Even below average. I only want a simple life with God, good music, good health, plenty of laughs, and for the folks I love to be happy. I owe you an apology, Genesis.” Mama slowly released the woman’s hands, then crossed her own.
“For what?”
“For two things, actually. Roman told me he popped the question, and I was excited to hear that and meet you right away, but then I started ramblin’ on and on to him about my drippy kitchen sink. See, we had a bit of an emergency here when he called. It was getting worse and worse each day, and then the pipe burst, and water got everywhere. That’s what procrastination’ll get cha. I’ve been complainin’ to my husband for weeks, but he’s not good at those things. He wanted to spend a bunch of money callin’ a plumber only when it got out of control. I said well, we’re bent over a barrel now, and a plumber will see that and take full advantage! I told him Roman or Jordan could do it, but I know Roman is so busy, and then boom! Just like that! Roman called. It was the darndest thing.”
“Why would you owe me an apology for that?”
“Because I ruined his call to tell me his good news… It wasn’t his fault the pipe burst, and it wasn’t his fault we’d waited too long to get it fixed. I should’ve just hushed up, called a plumber and not said a word. Instead, I got sidetracked and zapped some of his enthusiasm. He was so dang happy to talk to me about you! I could tell.”
“Mama, that’s not a reason to apologize. You weren’t tryna switch the topic or anything. It’s not like you weren’t happy for me.”
“Well, when I thought about it after the fact, I felt mighty ashamed. Like I burst your balloon of joy. My father used to do things like that. Ruin our good news.” Mama’s lower lip quivered as Toby completed the important task of sniffing Genesis’ shoe. “Anyway,” She sighed, tossing on a pleasant smile, “My other apology is to Genesis, too. I was never good at playin’ possum.” Mama’s complexion got all splotchy and red again, as if she were afraid to utter another word. Roman looked towards the window as Toby noisily lapped up water. “Oh, Genesis. I’m an old fool sometimes. How in the world do I say this without soundin’ crazy? I’m not used to… I just didn’t think… Genesis, please, dear God, I mean nothin’ by this sugar, but… Oh, Lord! I sound so silly mumbling and bumblin’ over my words! I sound like an idiot!”