Page 87 of Unlikely to Stay
“They do and the battery on them lasts forever.”
“I believe it.”
The trio began eating, Betty pausing every now and then to shake her head and whisper, “His booty on social media,” to herself.CC couldn’t help but smile every time she said it.
Brant was telling the truth when he said his mom was a good cook.CC didn’t think anyone could rival Sadie in the cooking department but Betty Billings was her definite equal.The potatoes were creamy, the roast juicy and tender.
“So, Betty,” CC said.“Why did you decide to become a foster mom?It seems like that would be a really hard job.”
“Oh, honey.It was.The kids I had in my house, the things they’dseen…it about broke my heart.But all kids, no matter how they act out, need love.I figured I was tough enough to handle everything they threw at me and still give them that love.”
“That’s pretty amazing.”
Betty grinned.“Girl, I’m an old black lady who lives in what used to be the hood of Oklahoma City.I don’t scare easy.Just because I come in a little package don’t mean I ain’t fierce.”
“I can totally tell,” CC said with a smile.
“But when I got this one…” Betty shook her fork at Brant.“I knew he was somethin’ special.And I knew he needed alittlemore love than some of the other kids I ever had before.”
Betty shook her head.“Man, was he angry.Just one big ol’ cloud of anger billowing off him everywhere he went.Looked like that dirty kid in all the Peanut comics.Linus?Was that his name?I can’t remember.Anyway, it took me awhileto break that tough exterior he had.But when I did…man, oh man.Was it ever worth it.When that wall came down…this amazing kid appeared.I just knew then God sent him to me to be mine.”
“I never had any kids of my own.Never got married, even.I just always liked bein’ by myself.Didn’t see the need for no man.They don’t listen anyway.But kids…kids I could help.And this one,” she grinned and pinched Brant’s cheek, “he needed so much help I figured I deserved to make him officially mine.I knew he was going to be something special and I wanted to takeallthe credit.”
Brant chuckled.“Nice to know you got all the anger out of me.”
Betty shook her head and blew out a breath.“You better thank thelordI did.Otherwise, I reckon you’d be behind prison bars right now.”
CC raised her eyebrows.“That angry, huh?”
“Not that angry,” Brant replied with an eye roll.
“Totally that angry,” Betty whispered behind her hand.
After visiting for a couple more hours, Brant sitting by her on the couch with his hand on her knee the entire time, it was finally time to leave.CC now understood how Brant became the type of man he was.His mom was loving, kind, and willing to see the good in everyone.CC was so glad Betty had never given up on the man sitting beside her.
As they walked to the door, Betty pulled her in for a tight hug.“You better come back and see me, CC,” she whispered in CC’s ear.“I think you’re a keeper.I’ve never seen Brant look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
“I thought you said you’ve never seen him with a woman.”
Betty playfully elbowed CC in the ribs.“I see how you are.Calling me out on my own words.Still, I see the look in his eyes when he stares at you.The way he always wants to touch you.You’re something special to my boy, CC.Just don’t break his heart.Even though he doesn’t act like it, his heart is still pretty fragile.I might be nice now, but if you hurt him you’ll feel my wrath.”
CC could only imagine what that would entail.“I promise, Betty.I know he’s one of the good ones.”
Betty nodded her agreement.“You’re damn right.”
Brant walked out of the kitchen where he was finishing loading the dishwasher before they left and took CC’s hand in his.“Mom, please rethink visiting Parker.I think you’d really like it and you’d get to see CC again.I even have a spare room you can stay in as long as you like.What’s keeping you here other than church?I know Pastor Miller would give you a free pass if you told him you were visiting your only son.”
“I might just have to do that,” she finally said.CC loved the smile it brought to Brant’s face.He pulled his mom in for a big hug.“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, son.More than you will ever know.”
At her words, Brant and CC walked out the door and down the porch steps.“So?What did you think of my mom?”
CC squeezed his hand.“I think she ranks right up there with Annie’s grandma and Sadie.”
“That good, huh?”
CC nodded.“That good.”
“I’ll tell her you said that.”
As they pulled away from the house, CC watched Betty standing on the porch waving goodbye until they turned the corner.