10th Commandment | Revamped

Chapter: 32

A week later.

Fantasia and Taraji were having a blast together, but now it was finally time to break the news of their secret marriage to their families.

Things between Taraji and her mother were rocky—they barely spoke. And then there was Fantasia’s relationship with her mother, which was fraught with tension, as well as her conflicts with her sister and, worse still, her stepfather. Taylor was around to lend a hand.

Taylor was busy helping them get ready for dinner while Fantasia felt butterflies in her stomach, battling what she called her "mother-pleasing syndrome." Taraji, on the other hand, was cool and carefree. She couldn’t care less about her mother’s potential reaction to their same-sex marriage; she'd come to terms with the fact that her mother’s views were rooted in judgment. Unfortunately, Taraji didn’t really care for her mother’s opinion anyway. Meanwhile, Fantasia was a bundle of nerves...

Just then, Fran called to cancel. No sooner had they hung up when there was a knock at the door. Taking a deep breath, Taylor chirped, "I’ll get it!" and dashed to the front door. Taraji hardly gave it a second thought; she continued whatever task she was absorbed in. Fantasia stood by, her nerves tingling. Taylor swung open the door, revealing Fantasia’s mother.

"Hey," she greeted. Fantasia’s heart raced as her mother scanned the room. "Baby girl," she said, locking eyes with her. "Hey Mama!" They embraced briefly before pulling away, her mother sizing her up. Fantasia gulped, uncomfortable in her usual tomboy getup of blue Timberland boots, a white baseball cap, an oversized baseball tee, and long shorts.

Her look was a total hit with Taraji, who couldn’t take her eyes off her, but her mom clearly wasn’t pleased. Feeling uneasy, Fantasia retreated upstairs.

"Taraji! Great to see you again, my dear! You look stunning," her mother beamed, pulling Taraji into a warm hug. Taraji wore a fitted long dress that highlighted her curves. "Thanks! Let me grab your things," she offered, taking the bag and purse and heading to the guest room.

Fantasia returned in skinny jeans, barefoot and without a cap. Her mother gave her an eyebrow raise. Taylor watched the tension unfold. "Are you going to offer me a drink or what?" her mom asked, breaking the silence.

"How about fresh-squeezed orange juice, with a hint of lemon and a slice of orange?" Fantasia replied. "You remembered? And add vodka drops too," her mother said. "Coming right up!" Fantasia headed to the kitchen, where her wife was waiting. "Mommy issues are the worst; I feel suffocated," Fantasia admitted. "It’ll be over as soon as she leaves; I know she won’t hang around long; I'm just not her cup of tea," Taraji reassured her.

Then the doorbell rang again.

“Mama!” Taylor exclaimed excitedly. “My sweetie, shower me with kisses and hugs!” Taraji and Fantasia emerged from the kitchen, finding Taraji’s mother making a beeline for her daughter after hugging Taylor. The atmosphere tightened as Fantasia felt the growing pressure. “Daughter!” her mother said calmly, as if to intimidate Taraji. “Suzanne Michelle Henson!” Taraji responded without a hint of remorse.

Her mother shot her eyes to Fantasia, then turned to Fantasia’s mom, and suddenly froze. A collective gasp filled the air as all four exchanged bewildered looks. “I need the restroom quickly, Taraji!” Fantasia's mother hurriedly said while moving towards the guest room. “It’s down the hall on your left,” Taraji directed, watching as Fantasia's mom practically dashed out of the room.

Taraji fixed her gaze on her mother, and the awkwardness grew palpable. “Anything to drink?” Fantasia asked, attempting to break the tension. “I’m sorry, who are you?” her mother queried, looking perplexed.