Never Let Go

Chapter 12: Normal Is Subjective

My Mother wraps a cloth around a bag of frozen peas and hands it to me.

"Thanks." I show a little smile and wince as I gently place the coldness on my bruised cheek.

"I'm so mad." She frowns and shakes her head. "Look at your beautiful face."

"If anyone had the right to throw a punch, it's you!" Wes scoffs. "Why did he punch you? He's the one who took your girl."

"Ok, Wes." I give him a look. "I don't need to be reminded."

"I'm just sayin. You don't deserve any of this."

"Damn right you don't!" My Mother shakes her head, agreeing with Wes. "No one treats my baby like that. I want to go over there and whoop her stuck up cheating ass and her no good bit on the side."

"Whoooaaa!" Wes laughs. "Mama K ain't playin! I'm with you all the way, Ms. Jackson. I ain't never seen your Momma get like this! I like it." Wes wiggles his eyebrows and I give him a look.

"No one messes with my son." She says sternly. "They done picked the wrong one." She waves her kitchen towel and walks over to the oven.

"I'm a grown man." I sigh. "I don't need anyone fighting my battles and anyway, it's done now. I won't be seeing either of them again."

"Good riddance is what I say!" My Mother scoffs as she checks on the food she's cooking. "I always said you were too good for that girl, Michael."

"I said the same thing." Wes mumbles.

I sigh and roll my eyes.

"That asshole saying he can give her what you can't." She laughs. "And what's that? Money?! That gold digger. Money is the root of all evil, and that girl is evil." She tuts. "I'm telling you, baby, you're more of a man then he will ever be. You're sweet, compassionate, respectful, loving, caring, funny, handsome, intelligent and any girl would be lucky to have you. You just need to find the right one and stop picking the wrong ones."

"Facts, Ms. Jackson, facts." Wes nods. "And I said all along that Katie was trouble."

"Ok." I sigh. "I know you're both trying to make me feel better, but it's not helping right now. I don't really want to talk about it anymore. I'm exhausted."

"Michael, I'm not just saying this because you're my son. I mean every word and I want you to believe what I'm saying. You're a good man. None of this was your fault and dont let her make you think otherwise. Unfortunately, some women are selfish and never satisfied."

"I know." I show a little smile, wanting this conversation to be over. "Thanks, Mom."

"She'll get her karma." My Mother nods.

"Do you need help dishing up the food?" I ask.

"See, baby, that's what she's missing out on. You're a gentleman." She smiles. "But, no thank you, I'm fine. You sit and relax. Let your Momma look after you, boy. Wesley, you could learn a thing or two from my son. If you want some chicken, get your ass over here and help me."

"Yes Ma'am." Wes widens his eyes and quickly gets up to help my Mother which makes me laugh.

Wes helps her dish up and she places down a plateful of food in front of me before taking her dinner into the living room so she can watch her TV show.

"You know what will help, don't you?" Wes said as he finishes a mouthful of food.

"What?" I lower my eyebrows.

"A night out with the guys." He smiles. "It's the perfect way to move on!"

"I was with Katie for almost 3 years, not 3 months. We were serious. Hooking up with some girl on a night out isn't going to help me." I roll my eyes.