Page 83 of Serenity
Again, Serenity’s eyes darted in my direction. Blankly, I returned her gaze.
“So, Daddy, too?”
“Reni, talk to your man. I’ll see y’all later. Duke, Thanksgiving?”
The discussion we’d been having prior to Supreme’s disruption resurfaced with his invitation.
“Let me holla at your sister.”
Supreme nodded, stalking away from our table and out of the restaurant.
Eyes glossy with unshed tears, Serenity looked at me. My fingers drummed against the table, awaiting her words. When she failed to locate them, I egged her on.
“What’s wrong, Bee?”
“I’m sorry.”
Dragging my index finger across my bottom lip, my eyes cemented on my woman. “Why, baby?”
Of course, I was gonna drag it. Already, I knew why she was apologizing, though I didn’t comprehend her tears. Those shits weren’t needed, nor were they welcome. It was all good. We were good.
From side to side, her face rocked. Seconds passed before she gathered her words.
“I was so afraid of what my family would say. I didn’t realize how all of this was affecting you. I’ve been such a coward. And this whole time, you’d already told them. Were you… testing me?”
“Not at all.”
“So, why didn’t you tell me they already knew?”
“Wanted to give you the opportunity to come clean to them on your own. Pre asked me not to say anything.”
“They probably think I’m such a liar. God–” She sighed.
“Don’t beat yourself up, Bee. Your family still sees you as the baby. I’m sure you’ll get a pass.”
“That’s just it, though, isn’t it, Duke? I’ve complained about being respected, being an adult, wanting to be on my own and handle my own, and I dropped the ball with this.”
“We all drop the ball a few times. That doesn’t make you any less of a woman, Bee. I’m sure you had your reasons for your reservations, which had nothing to do with you as an individual and everything to do with your family and the way they’ve treated you. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
I rose, tossing my napkin on the table. Hand outstretched, I waited for her to grab hold.
“You aren’t mad at me?”
“You want me to be honest?”
“Always.”
“It was pure comedy watching you behave like that with your brother. I was mad before we went to Turkey. I’m good now.”
Collapsing her head in her face, she groaned. “That was so embarrassing.”
“You gotta find your voice and courage with your family the way you do with the rest of the world, Bee. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s just growing pains.”
“So, to be clear, you aren’t mad? I’m still your honey bee?”
As we approached the SUV, I opened the back door.
“That depends. Are you giving me some honey?”