Unexpected

Tuesday morning, I took the kids to school and went to visit my mom. She and Daddy were laughing about something.

When I walked on the porch, I could hear them. I tapped on the door and Daddy opened it. He kissed my cheek, and said, “Good morning! What brings you out so early?”

“I dropped the boys off, and decided to pay you all a visit.”

I walked into the kitchen, and saw they were eating breakfast. Mom said, “Good morning, Felicia. Are you hungry?”

“No, Mom. Thanks. I’m sorry I interrupted your breakfast.”

Daddy said, “We were just finishing, Daughter. You didn’t disturb anything. I was just about to step out for a while. Did you need me for anything?”

“No, Daddy. I didn’t want anything in particular.”

“Okay. I’ll see you both later.”

Shortly after he left, Mom got up and began clearing the dishes from the table. We talked about our getaway, and Mom asked, “What’s wrong, Felicia?”

After sharing with her most of what I was dealing with, she continued cleaning her kitchen. She handed me a glass of orange juice, and went to the sink.

While she had her back to me, she said, “You know what? I tried very hard not to spoil you, and I still think I did a pretty good job. However, this selfishness is grating on my nerves.”

She turned, looked at me and said, “You’re extremely blessed, Little Girl. You have a village of people who adore you, not to mention a husband that, although not perfect, would drink your bath water!”

She came over and sat at the table. I said, “Mom, I know how blessed I am. I just can’t stomach the fact that he’ll always look at me like I’m a slut. Or worse.”

“Are you a slut, Felicia?”

“No, Mom, I’m not a slut. But I did cheat, and unlike you, I liked it.”

She got up and went into her freezer. She removed something for dinner, and turned to me. She said, “Excuse me, but I did enjoy it! Yeah, it was bad sex, but the cheating was thrilling. Are you sure you used protection every time?”

“Yes, Mom. Of course, I did.”

“So, you’re absolutely sure those babies are Harold’s?”

“Yes.”

She came over to the table and picked up my hand. She said, “Baby Girl, stop worrying about what might happen. Go home and continue doing what has made him so happy. You owe it to those children to at least try, Felicia.”

She went back to the sink and said, “Go and clean your face.”

I got up and went to the bathroom without saying a word. I was drenched in my own tears. When I returned, she said, “Harold calls me often.”

I went over to her. She said, “Please sit. You really shouldn’t be on your feet too much. And this anxiety is not good for those babies you’re carrying.”

“Mom, what does he say?”

“He misses you, Felicia. A man needs his woman like he needs water. You can’t deprive him of what he needs from you.”

I went back to my seat and looked at my hands. I asked, “How do I fix this?”

She came back to the table and said, “Like I said earlier, just love him. You know what makes him happy. Stop being stubborn and prideful like your father. This man married you when the average man would’ve walked. He cared nothing about pride. Don’t send him into someone else’s arms, Daughter.”