ENEMY LINES

MONSTER IN-LAW

I'm getting ready to go over to Jason's family home for dinner,where he'll be announcing our engagement and pregnancy. I'm on the phone with Angie complaining about the dinner and my future monster inlaw.

"Angie you know that woman hates me,she's a witch with a capital B"

"Come on hate is such a strong word babe"

"She told me to my face that Jason could have found better. There's plenty of beautiful white women he could date not my kind. I'm really not looking forward to this dinner. If it wasn't that it's important to my fiancé I'd be in bed watching repeats of empire"

"I'm sorry hun ,maybe now that there's a grandchild in the picture, she'll change"

"A leopard never changes it's spots Angie. She's racist and bitter. She'll never change and I don't want her near my baby"

"Don't be harsh. She's going to be your mother in law soon anyway"

"Don't remind me. I had to find a great man with the worst mother, I have to go,Jason is calling for me. Can't wait to get this day over and done with"

"I'm going to pray for you. Try to not let her get to you. Take care of my little niece"

"Get me garlic and a wooden stake,prayers won't work with her. I'll try. You really believe I'm having a girl hey.....................Bye love"

We're now driving to Jason's mother's house. I'm really dreading this dinner,I've had the 'privilege' of having dinner with his parents on 3 occasions. When he asked me to meet his family,when his sister got married to an Indian man,which she wasn't happy about too and when his youngest brother had a graduation party. Most of the time he just comes to his families Sunday dinners alone.

"Don't worry,we'll be fine. We'll be there for just 2 hours max"

I smile at his feeble attempt to comfort me,we both know his mom needs only 2 seconds to spill her racial venom and remind him that I'm black,like he wasn't aware. Then she has the audacity to invite his ex girlfriend Sarah-Lee who happens to be white,to every dinner we or he has with her. Now that we're engaged I'm going to have to see her almost every 2 weeks.

"We are here "

I was so deep in my thoughts I hadn't realised that we were at his family home. Time to go fake it with Cruella. Help me Lord.

"Tasha please don't take to heart what she says and try not to stress about it for the sake of the baby. I know she's not an easy woman to deal with. I promise we won't stay long. Thank you for doing this Tasha"

"I'm not making any promises Jason but I'll do my best for you"

He cups my face about to kiss me, when there's a knock on his side of the window. I look past him to find Cruellas sidekick Sarah-Lee,what does this puta want. Should've known she'll be here. She waves at us and I'm tempted to wave back and flaunt my ring in her face but Jason asked me to let him break the news,so I'm going to have to hide my hand till he says it's time. I sigh and get out of the car,while he does the same.

"Jason! Long time!"

This girl has the audacity to be touching on my man like I'm not even here. He's trying to get her off of him but every time he succeeds she manages to slide in an arm or hand. This girl is a pain. Jason grabs me when he finally notices me behind him, I want to push him away but I won't give his mother the satisficaton of seeing us argue. Who happens to be watching us from her doorstep.

"Oh where are my manners..... I totally forgot about you there Tasia,right! How are you?"

Why is she talking to me!,she definitely knows that my name isn't Tasia cause Jason is always correcting her. I don't respond because I fear what may come out of my mouth right now.

"It's actually Tasha Sarah"

We walk up to his mother who smiles at Jason and Sarah while looking at me up and down like I'm something she stepped on. I ignore her,letting go of Jason's hand as he hugs her. She doesn't acknowledge me so I won't acknowledge her.

"Jason baby,how are you? Haven't seen you in 3 weeks. Look at how much you've gained,told you to come eat at home. You know these peoples food isn't good for you"

I mentally count to ten as Jason gives me a sympathetic look as his mom continues with her rambling. I say nothing as she ignores my presence and grabs Jason's right arm and Sarah's left arm,leaving me standing there.

"Come you two,let's go into the house and catch up"

I watch them walk into the house as I'm left standing there looking like a lost puppy and feeling like I don't belong. I'm about to turn back to the car when I suddenly feel an arm slide into my arm. I look to my right to meet my soon to be father inlaw. Who's a total opposite to his witch of a wife.

"Why is my beautiful daughter standing here in the sun by herself. You know it's not good for the baby or a bride to be"

I look at him with shock written all over my face. How does he know. Jason must've told him,after all they're close.

"Don't be so suprised you know Jason tells me everything and congratulations by the way"

"Thank you Mr Dewald"

"I told you to call me Jonathan"

We continue to our conversation as we walk arm in arm to the patio where he likes to spend time attending to his garden. Which he started as soon as he handed his businesses over to Jason and his older brother Jonathan Jr. I wonder how this warm,loving man fell for the devil herself. They're two very different people.