My Favorite Woman. (CG|LG WOMANXWOMAN)

19.

Ashanti in the MM.

The storm is brewing .

A few weeks later..

"When are you coming back from your trip? I miss you." Ashanti whispered into the phone. It's been a few weeks since Nadine's play date with Kitty. After that moment in the bedroom, Ashanti grew completely attached to Nadine. She wanted the young woman to be wrapped around her at every single moment. Nadine was currently on a trip on the other side of town visiting her family. She wanted nothing more than to be in Ashanti's arms.

Her mom had reached out through email. It's been a long time since Nadine saw her mother. Her childhood wasn't the best, basically fending for herself. She was the only girl out of five boys, and was the middle child. Her mother always made it known that she didn't want a girl. She made sure to neglect young Nadine. She didn't teach her how to do her hair, or how to carry herself, Instead berated her everytime she tried something new.

Nadine learned through all of the celebrities she loved. She watched America's next top model, and watched real housewives of Atlanta. She wanted to learn how to be a luxurious woman, but instead adapted the fashion sense and nothing else. She learned how to do her hair, and how to make sure she was always neat and well presented.

"I miss you mama..I'll be back home tonight. It's only been two days." Nadine giggled into the phone. Ashanti rolled her eyes and chuckled as she plucked the fabric of Nadine's blanket.

"You promise?"

"Yes, Ashanti."

"Aht..who?"

Nadine snickered mischievously before looking up to see her mother staring at her in disapproval. Her mother always hated when she was on the phone in her house. She felt as if it was an invasion of privacy.

"Get off that phone and come set the table for dinner." Nadine's mother demanded causing her to flinch. Ashanti heard the woman's voice in the background and clenched her fists.

"Yes ma'am. Baby, I have to go okay? I love you bye." Nadine hung up the phone, Ashanti staring at her home screen in complete shock at the young woman's words. Her heart started beating faster in her chest and she swallowed hard as a small smile started to grow on her face.

"I love you too."

Nadine gulped as she stared down at her phone. She didn't mean for it to slip out the way that it did, but it felt so natural. It felt natural because it was true. She was falling for her domme, but was afraid that she passed a boundary by saying the three words.

"Am I invisible?" Her mother asked harshly causing Nadine to shake her head as she stood up. She walked over to the dining table and started to set the table, her brothers gathered around in the living room watching the football game that blared from the television.

"Who were you talking to? Having you smiling like a creep." Her mother asked. Nadine swallowed hard as she smoothed down the table cloth before clearing her throat.

"My partner."

"Will we ever meet him?" Nadine's mother asked. Nadine sighed, before looking over at her mother who eyed her skeptically. All of her brothers were already married or in relationships with long time partners. She knew her mother was skeptical of her sexuality, but never once asked her.

"It's..I'm not sure yet." Nadine responded. Her mother scoffed, rolling her dark eyes as she placed their dinner around the table.

"You know...you're the only child I've got that's given me nothing but problems. What are you doing with your life, Nadine? You're not getting any younger and you don't bring nobody home, you don't have no ring on your finger. What's wrong with you? Your brothers are doing just fine. I swear, after your father died you been nothing but lazy. He's not here to keep you in check no more."

"My step-father?"

"Don't talk about my late husband like that. He was more of a father to all of you than your real dad was."

"Mm." Nadine hummed while pressing her lips together.

"Boys! Dinner!"

"So, Nadine..what you been up to, sis?" Darnell asked. He was Nadine's oldest brother. They weren't close, but he always cared for his little sister.

"School and work."

"Got anyone special?" Genesis, her other brother asked. Nadine smiled at the thought of Ashanti, nodding as she stared down at her plate. Her mother scoffed, Nadine looking up in confusion.

"Why don't you just tell us you're gay already?" Her mother asked. Her brothers and their wives slowly dropped their utensils as they all looked at Nadine who just twisted her face in hurt and confusion.

"I mean..I didn't think it was anyone business. It's not like you guys call and check on me." Nadine responded back. Her brother cleared his throat as her mother smiled sarcastically.

"It's my business to know if my daughter is a fággot-"

"Ma!" Darnell yelled causing everyone to jump. He glared at their mother who just scoffed and rolled her eyes while waving her hand.

"What you defending her for, Darnell? Huh? I gave all of you a good life. I love my boys, and now my only daughter is a dyke. You think ima be happy about that? It gives me another excuse to regret she was ever born." The room went quiet as everyone stared at the older woman that Nadine no longer considered her mother. No one said a word, her brothers continuing to eat because the conversation didn't affect them.

It never did.

"If that's the case, what am I here for? What's this dinner about?" Nadine asked, the hurt laced in her voice. She held her composure, her mother chuckling.

"Darnell, why did you invite her here? I didn't email you. Your brother did. I have stage four melanoma, but it was none of your business. You're not on my will. My boys are getting the house and the car. You ain't getting Jack shit but a bag of my ashes. I only tolerated you cause of your father, but he ain't here. So you can leave."

"Because she deserves to know that her mother is dying."

"I ain't her fucking mother!" The older woman yelled. Nadine was in full blown tears, shaking her head as she grabbed Darnell's hand while standing up.

"Thank you. Enjoy your dinner. I'm sorry in advance for your loss." Nadine sniffed before grabbing her bag and walking out of her childhood home that never felt like one as Darnell chased after her.