𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

𝟛𝟚

𝕁𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕖

"You look beautiful like always baby" he watched me under his knitted brows in awe. In his two hands he held the dish of collard greens I cooked the night before. As we waited for someone to answer the door, I tried my best to fix myself as much as possible before meeting his family.

Anxiety and nervousness ran all through me, the feeling was unsettling. My fears of not having his mother's approval kept me up the night before. So I kept patting myself and pulling on fabrics making sure everything was in place. Before I knew it the sound of the locks being turned from the other side of the closed door was loud and clear.

I stopped and stood still while the door opened. Behind the open door was the entrance into the cozy ambiance of the Ms. Browns home. Over her head I got a peak of her decorated homes rich earthy tones. But before it, she stood, we were around the same height standing at eye to eye level. Her smile was welcoming and her beauty was radiant. She glowed with charm and class.

"Happy Thanksgiving mama" he spoke in his enthusiastic tone before taking a step forward to give her brief hug.

She kissed his cheek as she squeezed him. "Happy Thanksgiving baby" she sung in there long hug.

After their embrace she held her hands looking at me with a grin stuck on her face. I didn't see much of Chris in her face, he must've looked like his father. Her beauty was still breath taking, Ms. Brown looked fantastic for her age. She wore earnings that hang with light makeup, bright pink lipstick, eye shadow and a fresh silk press.

"Mom, this is Justice, Justice this is my mother"

She did not hesitate to waste another minute and pulled me by the arm into her embracing hug without warning. She felt warm and petite in our cozy greeting. "How are you sweetie" she questioned holding me at my shoulders giving me a slight squeeze.

"I'm good, thanks for asking" I found myself grinning the same way she did. Her expression was charming.

"Thanks for coming, come on in" she said letting us in.

The first whiff hit me after my second step inside of her cozy home. Smells of savory flavors and seasonings smelt so good I could almost taste the Thanksgiving dinner. Chris was disappointed after his mother brought the news that it'd be just the three of us.

His sister was having Thanksgiving dinner with a friend's family. "I really wanted you to meet London" he spoke to me as he pulled out the wooden seat for me.

The chair was cushioned right where I sat, in what I assumed was her living room. Across from the glass dining table was polished wooden cabinet filled with fine China behind glass. Over my head I admired the gold bright chandelier. There was not one spec of dust in my presence.

My favorite part was seeing Chris's graduation photo hanging on the floral wallpaper. His photo was next to hers, I pointed at the photo and teased him. Next to his gold framed photo was his mother's graduation photo and below his was his sisters.

"Justice I can't wait to try these collard greens" she said sitting at the end to my left. Chris sat next to me at my right as we sat in front of the food. "You know, collard greens are my favorite soul food" she spoke full of enthusiasm.

"Me too, especially my mother's, I've been trying to recreate hers for years but nothing comes close"

"Aw I bet yours are just as good" with her hand she reached out and grabbed mine. "Chris, do you want to say prayer?"

He shifted his eyes from her before closing his eyes in frustration. I nudged him slightly, I'd give anything just to be with my mother again. To see him giving his own attitude bothered me. "Be nice Chris, I'll pray" I widened my eyes looking at her.