Mr. and Mrs. Swing

Chapter 6 - Welcome Home Donald

November 26, 1992

Charlotte, NC

Devante's BMW glided gracefully through the suburbs of Charlotte as we headed to his parent's house. It had been a silent and tense car ride and I could tell Devante was nervous. As he drove he held my hand and I could feel the sweat on his palm. It was Thanksgiving day and I was finally going to meet his parents. The album was 80% done so we both felt some relief with that. Now we just had to handle Thanksgiving dinner.

We pulled into the driveway and I saw Dalvin's red BMW coupe with the license plate "FREAK'N U" and his new gold VVS rims he wouldn't stop talking about. 

"I hope your parents don't come out and see Dalvin's license plate," I said laughing.

For the first time since we got in the car 45 minutes ago, De' laughed, "Man that nigga is so ignorant! I can't with him".

I pulled down the mirror and fixed my makeup. I got my hair pressed in New York and it has grown so much since I stopped putting heat on it regularly. I kept my makeup simple, with some foundation, light blush, and clear lipgloss. My outfit was cute, yet modest and festive for the holiday. It was chilly in Charlotte so I chose a brown Donna Karan sweater with light-colored Levi jeans and Louis Vuitton ankle boots. Of course, I wore my diamond earrings and matching necklace, I also had a similar gold necklace with the Jodeci logo that Devante gave me a few weeks ago. De' was coordinating with me perfectly with his cream cashmere sweater, dark jeans, and brown boots.

I kissed Devante on the cheek and looked at him, "It's going to be a great day baby. Just be cool.".

Devante squeezed my hand, "We look like a fly ass married couple baby, your style is really rubbing off on me".

"I can't believe I got you to wear anything besides Black leather, it is truly an accomplishment on my end", I said laughing.

"Yo ass always got jokes", he said laughing as he got out of the car and came around to open my door.

Before we could fully get out of the car Dalvin swung open the door and ran down the stairs to his brother, completely ignoring me.

"Bout time you made it here nigga! Moms been asking about you nonstop! And plus I got a joint I wanna smoke later", Dalvin turned and looked at me, "Well my my my, look at you. I didn't know you owned jeans Whitley", Dalvin said laughing.

I rolled my eyes at him, "I own jeans and a gun too. Keep fucking with me Dalvin", I said hitting him upside the head.

He laughed and gave me a hug, "There's the hard-ass we know and love".

Devante broke us apart and jokingly pushed his brother, "Don't be feeling up on my wife nigga, I don't wanna fuck you up on a national holiday. Let's head inside baby", Devante said, leading me up the stairs.

The DeGrate family home was utterly beautiful. All the furniture was a form of cream, white, and gold and there were childhood pictures of the three boys everywhere. In the formal living room was a white baby grand piano, behind it there was a painting on the wall of the family. Devante looked around 15 or 16 in the painting, he had a sad look on his face, the face of a troubled soul. I walked back towards the family room and sat down next to his mom, Ms. Mary. The food was finished up in the oven and she had some gospel music playing while she drank her tea.

"Mrs. DeGrate, your home is so beautiful. The artwork, the family pictures, this is the type of home I aspire to have one day", I said to her as I sipped the cup of tea she made for me.

"Drew, baby, call me Momma Mary. Mrs. DeGrate is my mother-in-law, not me girl", she said laughing. 

She continued to speak, "Thank you for your kind words. You are a phenomenal and sweet young woman, I've really enjoyed your help in the kitchen. You make a mean pound cake!", she said tapping my shoulder.