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)
Mama’s voice trembled. Genesis gave her a quizzical look, then her features relaxed. Roman resisted the urge to laugh. Genesis gently touched her arm.
“Bonnie, did you not expect me to be African American?”
“YES! THAT’S IT! Oh, dear! I’m so sorry, honey! I’m not racist, I promise you that. It was just a surprise!” Genesis nodded, obviously now holding in laughter herself. “I don’t care if my Roman is with a blue, red or purple woman, just as long as she’s good to him and treats him right. I’m so sorry for how I looked when I opened the door just now—I know it probably threw you for a loop! I’m just a silly ol’ Cheerio!”
“Mama…” Roman smirked and shook his head. “You don’t have a racist bone in your body. You’re just not used to being around folks that don’t look like you. It’s due to how you were raised, and where you grew up.”
“Yes, that’s it!” She waved her finger about. “I’ve been sheltered, minus the TV. TV, they say, doesn’t show everyone in a fair light anyway. I can believe that. They also say it puts about ten pounds on you. I must be in front of a thousand TVs right now, then.” She guffawed.
“Mama, stop crackin’ jokes about your weight. It’s not funny. I love you.” Roman wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.
“Oh, Roman, it’s okay! If I can’t laugh about it, then I’d never survive the things people say. I know I’m big.” She waved him off. “Anyway, when I opened the door to let you two in, it just took me by surprise that you were a pretty brown girl, but really, Roman didn’t need to say anything in advance or warn me, because this ain’t nothin’ to warn someone about. I mean, why would he think to say something, you know?” Mama was slightly trembling as she rambled on, all pink and flushed in the face.
“I wouldn’t expect him to tell me that you were shorter or taller than him, or that you were a woman. Well, on second thought, I probably would’ve wanted to know if he was engaged to a man in advance, to prepare myself mentally for it and all, but I’d love Roman even if he was gay because that’s my child. I don’t have to understand somethin’ in order to act in a kind and Christian fashion. Besides, that would be between him and God, and I love him no matter what. It would be surprising to me though, ya know? Seeing as his womanizin’ was a full-time job and all.
“His father had the same occupation and worked it religiously, Genesis, so Roman got it honest. It was the only job my ex-husband ever kept; never missed a day. Chasin’ skirts 24/7, he was. My son was a purebred gigolo. Like a dog chasing a cat. He started young. Roman had a bunch of dirty movies that he’d share with his brothers. Pass them around like baseball cards. I was livid when I found ’em in the house. One of ’em was called something like, ‘Hoes’ Holes to Glory.’ I took a look at it, and became sick! A revolting, filthy movie about this activity they call, glory holes, ya see? Havin’ sex with folks through a hole in the wall is what it is! I had never seen such a thing.”
“Hmmm, I don’t think I have, either.” Genesis stated sheepishly. You’ve got Pornhub bookmarked on your computer, girl. Lying to my mama on the first day of meeting her. Tsk! Tsk!
“Well see, the woman is on one side of the wall, and the fella on the other, then they go at it. Doing it in public bathrooms! Parks! Libraries! No place is apparently safe from the glory hole. Isn’t that just awful?! Roman had quite the collection. Dirty movies a mile high! That explains all the stiff socks in the laundry hamper. Three boys just havin’ the time of their life, and Roman was the one leading the charge! He also—”
“Mama…”
“Oh, dang it! I’ve done it again!” Mama placed a trembling hand to her lips, looking mortified. “Sorry, Roman!”
Her eyes were big as saucers. Genesis was now leaning against the wall, falling out with laughter. Mama was an unintentional comedian and hated every moment of it.
“Thanks, Mama. I appreciate those kind, sweet words you shared about me to my wife-to-be. They belong on a Hallmark greeting card,” he taunted, then chuckled.
“That was in the past, Genesis! It’s the truth, but I shouldn’t have said all of that. It’s almost like I forgot he was standin’ right here. He doesn’t do that anymore. I swear. Or at least, he better not, or I’ll have his hide!”
Still laughing, Genesis approached Mama and wrapped her arms around her. Mama hugged her back, real tight, looking like she was on the verge of tears. All Roman could do was observe in amazement.