Love Notes

24- In My Feelings

The Thanksgiving holiday was upon the Knowles-Williams household. Michelle was happy to be able to spend time with her family but at the same time she didn't want to deal with her cousins/siblings. Though Auntie is hosting the dinner it will be at the Knowles-Williams house. It was the Tuesday before the holiday and she and Tina had invaded the couple's kitchen. Everything you could think that a Black family would have for the holiday was what Auntie was cooking. There were cakes on the kitchen Island, things in the oven, stuff was even all over the kitchen and dining room tables. Auntie was doing her thing with all the food. Michelle knew to stay out her way unless she asked for help.

Auntie's two children will be coming to town and Michelle didn't know how she felt about seeing Kim. Kim was four years older than Michelle. She got married right out of college and has two little girls Zuri(3) and Kaylee(4). Jason is Michelle's favorite. He's five years older and got married a few years ago. He also has two daughters Amari (7) and Shayna(10). He did not marry his daughters' mother. He was bringing his wife with him this time. There had always been tension between Kim and Michelle. It puzzled Michelle as to why Kim always treated her badly. When Kim came around Michelle tended to steer clear of her. Beyoncé knew of Kim's rude and mean behavior towards Michelle. She had never met the woman and didn't want to judge her. She would hold off developing how she felt until she met Kim for herself.

On Thursday morning Tina was the first to arrive. She and Aunt Charlene put the last finishing touches on all the food. Dinner was at 4pm promptly and Solange showed up about an hour early. Jason was next to show with his family. His wife seemed really nice but there was something off about her that rubbed Beyoncé the wrong way. It was the way she looked at her, it was a look of lust and wonder. When Jason introduced her and said her name Beyoncé realized why the woman looked at her that way, it was Aaliyah her first love. This was about to be one awkward ass family dinner. Michelle smiled at the woman but kept an eye on her because she didn't like the way she was staring at Beyoncé. Next Kim made her appearance with her husband Greg and their daughters. Introductions were made all around and everyone socialized for a while before dinner. Surprisingly Kim was being cordial but Michelle knew it was all and act, she could look in her eyes and see the disingenuity. Just before dinner was served Beyoncé pulled Michelle into her office.

"Babe, I know you keep eyeing Aaliyah because she keeps looking at me."

"She keep staring I'm gonna reach across the table and gouge her eyes out with a butter knife."

"Tenitra! What the hell?!"

"Well that's how I feel. She needs to keep her eyes to herself."

"Babe she keeps staring at me because she was my first love. Remember I told you when I was pregnant with Brielle and I lived in Louisiana?"

"Yeah, go on."

"Well that's her."

"Seriously, my brother married your first girlfriend. We live in a small ass world."

Beyoncé grabbed Michelle pulling her into a hug and pecked her lips.

"Babe, why are you so angry. I can feel it radiating off of you?"

"Because Kim walked into my house and is putting on this act of being so nice when we both know she hates me."

"Tenitra don't let her presence ruin a beautiful dinner that our mother's prepared."

"Okay, I'll try not to."

This time Michelle initiated the peck and they left the office to join everyone in the dining room.

Dinner at the adult table was tension filled but no one wanted to address the elephants in the room. There was definitely more than one and it was felt in all the adults. Even the ones that it really didn't affect felt it and it was not good. Nearing the end of the meal Beyoncé sent the kids to the theater room in anticipation that some stuff was about to pop off at the adult table. No sooner than she sent the kids away Michelle broke the tension.