The Business Woman

Apparently

My mother stood up from her seat and walked over to me with a surprised look on her face.

"You've gotten so grown up since the last time I saw you!" She exclaimed over the conversations that were going on.

"You must be Jack?" She said just before pulling him into a hug. "I've heard so much about you."

"I'm Tammy, Maliyah's mother. "

My mother was good at hiding her emotions. She could be feeling angry but could converse like she was the happiest woman alive. Hell, you wouldn't even be able to tell she was a drug addict.

I stood there next to Jack with my arms folded against my chest, closing any gateway or thoughts of receiving a hug.

"I've been trying to reach you Liyah." She said while frowning. "But you haven't been returning my calls."

"I just don't have time for temporary people in my life," I said while looking down and kicking my foot against the floor.

"Your aunt told me I'm going to be a grandma!" She mentioned.

"I'm pregnant if that's what you mean." I scoffed.

"Baby." Jack intervened. "I know you're upset, but this is your mother. She gave birth to you, the least you can do is look in her eyes and give her some respect."

Sometimes our age difference and our ways of thinking clashed. I didn't think my mother deserved any respect at the moment and that was not his place to decide that.

"I'm going to get a plate," I muttered just before storming off.

In the kitchen, aluminum pans were scattered throughout the countertop and the savory smell of fried chicken and ham filled the air.

"How are you doing?" Uncle Richard asked just before closing the refrigerator.

"I'm doing okay. It's Christmas so I can't complain."

"Your grandma told us about the new addition." He said with a smile.

"Yeah, we're super excited. I can't wait to find out what I'm having."

"You better hope it's not a girl, cause the way you treat your mama..." he trailed on.

"I won't abandon my kid, they'll know I'll be here for them."

He went on with his business and made his way back to the living room where everyone was.

"Are you feeling okay?" Jack asked.

"I'm okay, I just don't feel like showing fake emotions."

"What do you mean?" He asked before picking up two plates.

"My mama and I are not in a happy place, and I don't want to drop everything and act like we are."

"It's Christmas, baby. And the new year is around the corner. So why don't we do the whole new beginnings type thing?"

I leaned against the counter and stared at him.

Maybe he was right. I'd been holding onto this grudge of feeling abandoned, I never stopped and realized afar I was doing to myself. I would find myself in the mirror crying because I resembled my mother so much.

"Your Aunt really knows how to cook," Jack said interrupting my thoughts. "I'm going to go feed Julianna, I hope to see that you're in a better mood when I bump into you again."

He pressed his greasy lips against my cheek and I squinted my nose.

"Eww," I said laughing while wiping the side of my cheek.

He smiled and gave me a small wink before leaving the kitchen.

I finished eating alone in the kitchen before heading back to the living room where everyone was heading out and saying their goodbyes. I sat on the empty couch next to the Christmas tree.

"This one's for you." My dad said with a present in his hand.

I was hesitant to take the navy and gold wrapped present, but I did.

I glanced up at him before unwrapping the gift.

It was a long-eared bunny rabbit named Hoppy. Hoppy was my childhood stuffed animal that I did everything with. I wouldn't go anywhere without him.

"Where'd you find this?" I asked in shock.

"Your mother and I got a few renovations done to the house and we found it under a pile of old boxes in the living room."

I put Hoppy to the side and thanked him for the gift.

Maybe this was a peace offering to signify new beginnings.