In celebration of the woman that they had all grown to love and cherish over the years. Justine's entire family was in attendance, just as she had wanted it.
The rental house Kelsey had booked was huge, and big enough to accomodate all of their out of town guests. There was a caterer, bartender, and Luther Vandroff was playing over the speakers. Everyone was eating, talking, drinking, enjoying the sunset as it slowly brought the day to an end. Justine's funeral would be the following day, Paris' stomach sank at the thought of it.
She wasn't ready to say goodbye, none of them were.
Looking out across the backyard until her eyes fell on Shane, Paris watched as he talked and laughed with his brother and cousins. She could hear their laughs but she couldn't hear their conversation. But as happy as he seemed to be, she knew he was really anything but.
He was on his 6th shot, she had been counting. Everytime he threw one back, he refilled his glass.
He was smoking. He was drinking. Shane was doing everything he didn't need to be doing at the moment and that's what bothered her. She was secretly hoping Shamar would stop him, but he was right there with him.
"Paris .." She heard a familiar voice call her name, snapping her out of her thoughts
Sighing, Paris slowly turned around to greet her mom. She had a Long Island iced tea in her right hand, and her youngest grand daughter Siena on her left hip. That's one thing Paris couldn't take from her mom, she was a great grandmother. No matter how diluted she was as a mother. Paris' kids loved being with her. They thought the absolute world of their Gi-Gi. However Paris had pretty much gave up on their mother and daughter relationship.
She had learned a long time ago, her mom's loyalty was wherever the money resided.
"Hey mama .." She said
"You okay?" Celeste asked
"I'm fine, thanks for checking .." Paris replied
"Okay, we'll I'm about to head out .."
"That's fine, be safe .." She sat her drink down and grabbed her daughter out of her moms arms ..
Taking a look at her daughter and granddaughter one more time Celeste smiled.
"There is something I wanted to talk to you about .." She said
"What is it ?" Paris asked
"The wedding .." Her mother began ..
"What about it?"
"I was wondering if you would be able to help with it .." She said
"Help you with it how ?" Paris asked
"A possible donation, 10 grand ?" Celeste asked, with a shrug of her shoulders ..
Staring at her mother, Paris couldn't believe she had the audacity to even ask her that..
She laughed before shaking her head.
"Is that a no ?" She asked
"He can't pay for the wedding ?" Paris asked
"He could, but he can't afford to have it the way I want it .." Her mother replied
"Well, plan within your means .. it's called a budget mama.." Paris said
