Page 38 of Surrender
“I know, baby. We just have to keep praying on it.”
Every night since we touched back down, we’d said an intentional prayer for our families to accept each of us into their lives. As two family-oriented people, this shit was really fucking with both of us. Prior to us getting married, we both had great relationships with our parents. I wanted to know my in-laws. I wanted my parents to know my wife and love her the way I knew we would grow to love each other.
Maybe the way we did things wasn’t traditional, but our end game was.
I took the deepest of breaths as I pulled into my best friend’s driveway.
We’d been back in town for a few days, and I knew I couldn’t let too many days go by without facing her and taking the curse out I knew was coming my way. Gathering my nerves, I opened my car door and climbed out.
It seemed to take forever to walk up these seven steps. Every time I lifted my feet, my stomach did flips. I made it to the front door and stopped. Even though I had a key, I decided to ring the doorbell. A few seconds later the door opened, and Myra stood with her hands on her hips and a frown on her face.
“You raggedy bitch. You have some nerve showing up here after I’ve been trying to contact you for a week.”
She slammed the door so hard in my face that I jumped. For a moment, I just stood there contemplating what to do. Did I leave? Dare I try to reason with her? Before I could make my decision, it was made for me. She opened the door, still frowning.
“Get your ass in here.”
She walked away but left the door open. I stood there for a moment before stepping over the threshold and into her home. She was upset with me. She would probably need wine, so I tracked to the kitchen. Sure enough, she had a big ass glass preparing to fill it to the brim with her favorite wine.
I took a seat at the kitchen island and watched as she took several big gulps of the alcoholic beverage. Nervously I twiddled my thumbs, waiting for her to say something. She placed the glass on the counter and crossed her arms as she stared at me.
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” she spat.
“I—”
“How could you get married and not tell me? We talk every day, Chelly. We have lunch three times a week. I’ve been in your presence way too many times for you to omit the fact that you were getting married. And to a stranger! What were you thinking!”
“I—”
“And then you don’t invite me. Me! Your best friend. That hurt, Kachelle.”
“It was never my intention to hurt you, Myra. I was already dealing with my parents and Ebony bashing my choices. I had to get ready by myself with help from my makeup artist. Daddy refused to walk me down the aisle. They sat there the entire time with frowns on their faces, Myra. I was hurt and embarrassed. I didn’t wanna add you and your bluntness to the stress I was dealing with. You know how you can be, My.”
Her face softened slightly. She dropped her hands and leaned across the counter to grab mine.
“I know I can be brutally honest at times. But you could have talked to me, Chelly. That was one of the most important days of your life. I would have been there for you and stood right by your side. You didn’t have to go through this alone.”
Tears pooled in my eyes. Hearing her say that made me feel horrible. I assumed she wouldn’t be supportive because the people closest to me weren’t.
“Come here,” she said, rounding the counter.
She pulled me to my feet and into her arms. The moment she enclosed me, I broke into tears. She hugged me tightly and stroked my back as she kissed my cheek.
“Don’t cry, boo,” she said softly. “I love you, Kachelle. I know your family loves you, too. They’ll come around.”
“I don’t know about that. They are adamant about not supporting this marriage. Daddy basically called me desperate and told me to get an annulment.”
“Damn. That’s harsh.”
I shrugged. “It is what it is at this point, My. I’m just gonna keep my distance for a while.”
She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know that’s gonna be hard, but if it’s what you have to do to protect your peace, I get it.”
She walked back around the counter and grabbed another glass from the cabinet to pour me a drink as well. She slid it across the counter then climbed her ass on top of it.
“So… tell me about the mister. I saw the pictures. He’s fine as hell, and he’s loc’d up like me. You know I love a dreadhead.”
I giggled as I told her everything I knew about Jacob so far. She got to clapping when I told her how he checked both of our parents before we left the reception. Then I told her about our wedding night and our time spent in Santorini. Even though it had only been a few days since we touched back down in the States, I was dying for another getaway with my husband.