When we got to the table I saw women that were dressed a little too young for their ages. I couldn’t tell who they were because they had there masks on, but I wasn’t confused for long.
“Really Juanita? You just need to get over shit that happened forever ago.”
“Naw I don’t have to get over nothing. Whoever invited you here it was by mistake.”
“Hi, my name is Nadine and I am Navette’s mother,” I said reaching out to shake her hand.
She shook my hand,”I know who you are I saw you at what was supposed to be her sons funeral,” she said shooting daggers at Juanita.”
“Bitch are you mad that your son is locked up for killing your baby daddy?”
Instantly the woman whipped off her mask and I saw Belinda who was Petey and Grayson’s mother. Oh my goodness.
“Look Juanita this been a long time coming so let’s just get this shit over with finally.”
People were starting to look at us so I was trying to diffuse the situation without making a scene. One of my guards made his way over, “Ms. Nadine is everything okay?”
“Yes we are okay um Daniel, I said squinting to read his name tag.
“Ladies can we please do this at another time because right now is my daughter and son-in-laws day.” They stared at me with mouths hung open and I was waiting for one to jump stupid. I had, kicked off my shoes as Navette, Leroi, and Juan ran up.
“Mama what is going on, why are yall hollerin and screamin like we in the projects?
I smoothed back my hair, “Ask them two”, I said pointing at Belinda and Juanita.
“Ma what the hell?”
“Juan I will tell you later,” she said throwing her hand up.
“Naw gon head and tell him now bitch!!”
I looked over at Belinda, “You got one more of them in you and I am putting you out. Yall can be grown and talk like women, but today is not the day!”
Right then Grayson walked up, “Damn ma I can’t take you no damn where. I step out for a cigarette and I come back and you arguing like some hood rat!”
“The bitch is a hood rat--“
“Look Juanita I asked yall to drop it, but now I am telling you!”
“Honey who are you hollerin at?!”
I was ready to slap fire from her so I walked away. When I opened the front door Kay looked up at me, Ms. Nadine you okay?”
“Yeah baby I’m alright.” I walked over to the side parking lot and sat on the first car that I saw.
I guess I had put too much pressure on myself to make this reception a success. Maybe I felt like since I had abandoned her that I could make it up to her, but the truth was it would take my whole life to make it up to her. I just wanted to go home. I had been sitting for a while when I heard Navette calling me.
“I’m over here baby!”
She walked over to me with the biggest smile on her face, “Mama why you sittin out here by yourself?”
“Girl they got on my nerves, I just tried to make this night special for you.”
:Mama, she said grabbing my hands,”the fact that you are here made this night special enough for me. I never thought I would even find you. Plus, do you honestly think that we was gonna have a drama free night when half the projects is up in here?”
I laughed, and she grabbed my hand leading me back into the party. I finally sat down with her and Leroi and ate my food while holding my grand baby. I was the happiest I had been in a long time when they started playing A Couple of Forevers and everybody cleared the dance floor for Leroi and Navette. The way he held hair and brushed her hair out of her face reminded me of how I felt with Detrick. He was the only man I really ever loved. Even when I married Ricky I still never forgot about Detrick, but the way he treated my daughter changed all that. The rest of the night went as planned and the only mishap was when the deejay played Rednose I had no idea that old women could be so nasty. Ms. Wanda hit the split and was bouncing with it. I was disgusted, but it was hilarious. Juanita stayed and helped me and the cleanup crew, but we kept our distance.
