Diana (Urban Fiction)

XIX

"Diana, sit down! Pregnant women not supposed to be on their feet. You go on over there and peel these potatoes like I asked you to."

Where we last left off, Mrs. Jones, Diana and Derrick's mother, conducted a dinner at their Airbnb. All the bishops, deacons, and their wives were going to be there. But, Pastor and First Lady Stephens are the real guests of honor. It was imperative that these church folks get together for a big dinner before the weekend of preaching for convocation, it gave them a chance to catch up outside of church. But we're not here to hear about them, we're here to really talk about...

Diana

"Ma, I'm literally only 10 weeks. Still in the red zone, I would appreciate it we don't throw the "p word" around."

"What's the "p word" in which you speak of?" mama spat, looking me up and down.

"I hope that "p word" is Pinot Noir, because I brought bottles of it!" Semére sang as she enter the kitchen, cutting through the thick tension like a sword.

Andra breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Diana's friend, I sure need a glass."

"Back it up fiancé, you don't even know my name." Semére rolled her eyes.

My mama gasped. "Semére, this isn't that type of dinner party! This is for people of the church, not the night club on 45th!"

At this point, I've grown frustrated with my mama, and I don't need Semére quarreling with Andra thinking she can steal my brother from her.

"For the love of God, Andra, this is Semére. Ma, I'd appreciate it if you keep my pregnancy private until I'm for sure the baby will make it to my second trimester, because I'm definitely keeping it. And someone please get me some damn water my throat is dry!" I snapped.

Silence filled the kitchen.

Andra cleared her throat. "I can finish up the cooking from here. The mac and cheese should be ready. Pot roast is almost done."

"I got you best friend. Also, hand me them potatoes too, you ain't skinning me." She took the bowl of potatoes and the peeler.

"Oh I don't have time for this." Mama walked out the kitchen.

I took the water bottle Semére gave me and took a sip, closing my eyes and letting out a deep sigh.

"I'm just so tired of her shading me. This whole week she's been getting on my fucking nerves."

"Oh bitch, I know that's your mama and all, and I can't wait to be her daughter in love, but if she brings up grandkids and "I just wish she'd do it the right way like y'all doing" one more time!" Andra rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her wine.

"No, the whole dress fitting on Thursday she was talking about "that dress won't fit right by the wedding" and a whole bunch of other shit. I already have a stomach at 10 weeks, and I'm already feeling self conscious."

"And she kept saying how I looked like a "Georgia peach in May." Why does she praise me so much? If only she knew exactly what I be doing to your brother-"

"Aye, imma stop you right there." I held up my finger.

"Both y'all better than me, my mama and I are too much alike. We argue all the time then we're on a cruise to the Bahamas the next. She stop can't get over me stealing her boyfriend."

Andra and I stopped and looked at her.

"What? He had money. What I look like turning down 5k for a date?"

"Oh so you were an escort?" Andra asked, taking a sip of her wine.

"No, I was a young businesswoman. I went to school and I'm debt free for having a pretty face. I really didn't sleep my way to the top. And what about you, fiancé? What you do for a living? Desk hopping?"