Unbearable

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

(Vanessa’s POV)

The sun was almost set I noticed as I waited on the outside of the restaurant for Chase. There were bats flying all through my stomach. I pulled out my compact mirror checking my face, making sure I wasn’t too made over. “Vanessa,” Chase’s voice called. I immediately flipped my compact closed and placed it back in my purse and looked at him. I needed a moment to take in his presence. He was looking good. Too good. “Damn,” I murmured.

“Hey,” he said greeting me with a hug. I gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Hey,” I said back. He had a million dollar smile that I couldn’t resist. “Uh oh!” he said dramatically playfully biting his finger. He took me by the hand and forced me to spin around. I giggled as I turned strutting in the new outfit I bought for this special occasion.  “Mm, you look beautiful!” he yelled. “But that’s always the case with you,” he added. I smiled. “I can’t let you go on without giving you a compliment. You look really nice,” I said. He smiled, “Aw, you’re just saying that. You don’t have to make me feel good Vanessa.”

“I’m serious Chase, you look great. I’m an image consultant. I know swagg when I see it. You look real sharp. I’m surprised you put that together yourself,” I teased. We both laughed. He placed his hands in his pockets and exhaled. I’m not sure what he was thinking. He seemed nervous. He couldn’t have been as nervous as I was. “So is she nervous too?” I asked.

“Of course. You should of seen her, she was shaking like a chihuahua.” I laughed. “How you feelin?” he asked.

“Good. I mean, I’m nervous as hell. ...I’m glad we’re doing this though.” I said.

“You ready?” he asked placing his palm out to me. I took his hand and exhaled before nodding. He led me in the restaurant to our table. A table that was empty. “Where is she?” I asked a little worried.

“Uhh,” Chase replied fumbling around in his pockets. “Have a seat,” he said pulling out a chair for me like a true gentleman. “I’ll call her.” He walked away from the table and made his call. I feared the worst. What if she didn’t want to meet me? Was this too soon? ...even worse, was it too late? I hope she didn’t run off. My foot shook up and down rapidly as I awaited Chase. He walked back smoothly to the table. “Bathroom,” he said. What a relief. “I told her to stop drinking all that water,” he joked shaking his head. He sat down in the center chair. His hand reached under the table and rested calmly on my exposed knee. “Relax,” he said softly with a gentle smile. I stopped shaking and took a deep breath. Chase stood up suddenly. I looked over at him who was looking across the room. I tried to find what he was glaring at until I saw a young woman in a cute dressy halter top and what looked like leggings. I stood up. I knew it was her. A mother knows her baby’s face. I almost wanted to cry. I exhaled in disbelief as I cupped my nose and mouth with my hands. She finally stepped to Chase not taking her eyes off of me. She smiled. I smiled. I wanted to break down and cry. “Well, I guess I’ll introduce you two. Vanessa, this is your daughter, Darryl. Darryl, this is your mother Vanessa the woman formally known as Christina.” She looked at me in disbelief. Her eyes grew watery. I walked up to her. “Hi...mom,” she said sweetly in a barely cracked voice. I wanted to break down right then. A tear fell down my face. “Oh Darryl,” I whispered giving her the longest warmest most loving hug I could ever give anyone on this earth. She began crying in my new dress. I didn’t even care. “Shh, I’m here. I’m here now,” I whispered rubbing her back. I cried as well and soon people began to stare. I didn’t care what they thought. They didn’t understand anything. When we finally had enough tears the three of us sat down. “Wow,” I said in awe. “Darryl, you are so beautiful baby,” I said admiring her gorgeous features. She laughed. “Well I obviously get it from you. I wish I got your eyes too,” she said. I giggled. “And you know how to dress too? Fashion has to run in the blood,” I said smiling at her. I looked at Chase who was taking all of this in. “Well. I’m paying for everything tonight. Ya’ll don’t worry about a thing. Order anything you want, as many, times as you want,” I insisted.