Page 6 of Heartbeat
I sat quietly by, scrolling through design ideas for an upcoming job. I tuned into their conversation every once in a while, but my sisters’ mindless chattering was grating on my nerves today. This is usually how our Sundays went. My sisters laughing and talking about something silly, and me lending very little input.
However, today I wanted to be anywhere but waiting at the restaurant for my parents to show up. My parents weren’t late because Josephine wouldn’t ever arrive on CPT time. I was just anxious to get this show on the road. The sooner it started, the sooner it ended.
“What’s wrong with you, Raven?” Dove asked as she gave me the side-eye.
“Nothing.” One word was all she was getting from me today. If I engaged, she would say something smart, and my façade would slip because I didn’t feel like pretending to be nice today.
“Well, you act like something is wrong. You’re sittin’ there with ya lips poked out and a funky-ass attitude,” Dove responded and her face grew into a smirk.
I took a deep breath and moved my head from side to side popping my neck. It was a nervous tick that I had when I was tense. I had a million things going on with my company, Timeless Designs, that I needed to focus on. However, Lennox Nash continued to invade my every thought. It was stressing me the fuck out.
My restless nights of twisting and turning had me irritated. The haunting memory of a man I’d just met and one who had danced on my last nerve had me wound tight.
How dare he invade my thoughts with his arrogant ass. It was a good thing I probably wouldn’t see him again. I knew he wasn’t a local, and he didn’t work at BHM, so the probability of me having to see his smug face again was slim.
As soon as I would relax, the memory of his light blue eyes and condescending smirk would flutter through my mind, and it was beginning to piss me off. Working so my mind wouldn’t wonder was the only thing that kept his memory at bay, and now my bitchy sister is interrupting my flow.
I looked up from my phone and stared at my sister, “I said it was nothing. And that’s what the fuck I meant.”
Dove sat back in her seat, her hand going to her chest in surprise. I hardly ever said anything cross to anyone, so she acted as if I slapped her.I wish. She’s so fucking dramatic.
“Maybeyouneed some dick, and you wouldn’t be such a bitch,” Dove nastily snarled.
“I don’t settle for trash dick; unlike you,babyDove, I have standards,” I responded, looking back down at my phone, dismissing her in the process. Just because I often ignored her and let her say whatever she wanted, didn’t mean that I didn’t have a quick wit and cutting tongue.
“I…” Dove didn’t get to finish her retort because our parents came into the private room of theGracerestaurant.
“There’s my sweetflockof babies,” My mother cooed in her southern twang.
“Hey, Mama,” we said in unison. After a warm hug from my mother and a cold shoulder from my father, we settled into polite conversation. There was no more talk of trash dicks or funky attitudes.
I could tell Dove was seething, but I was just glad it was closer to the time that I could leave. I looked down at my gold, diamond-encrusted watch; thirty-five more minutes… and counting. The time seemed to be taking longer than usual. Every time I checked my watch, only two or three minutes had passed.
“Rae, sweetie, are you listening?” my mother questioned absently. It wouldn’t matter if I was or not, Josephine could talk the ears off an elephant.
“Sorry, Mama. What were you saying?” I asked, rechecking my watch.
“Girl, do you have somewhere to be? Damn, you keep checking your watch. I know your goody-two-shoes ass ain’t got nowhere to go,” Dove sneered. She was trying to get me back from our earlier tiff. My youngest sister was trying to test my gangster today. But I wouldn’t show my ass in public, and she knew it.
I always put my best foot forward, especially when my parents were around. It was drilled into me that we represented the Bishops’ name, and we were expected to remember that in everything we did.
“Dove, stop talking like a hood rat. Your education is entirely too expensive for you to behave in that manner.” That was my father’s way of telling my sister to behave in public.
“Anyway, Rae, I was saying I’ll need your help with the BHM benefit. We’ll be dedicating the new wing in a few weeks, and I’ll need you to help plan.”
“I’m not a party planner, Mama. I’m an interior designer. I have projects that need my attention. I won’t have time,” I said, exasperated. My mother acted as if I were some socialite without any responsibilities. That was Dove; I ran my own successful business.
“You, have plenty of time to help your mother.” My father glared in my direction. I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath.
“No. I don’t have plenty of time.” I looked at my father in his eyes. I usually ask how high when he says jump, but not today. His usual coldness and disdain toward me were unnecessary, and I was tired of it.
He embarrassed the hell out of me at the reception. His ignoring me and the stiffness he displayed while dealing with me was one thing. But the way he spoke to me when I was simply defending, Robin, was hurtful. He was the one who taught us to defend our family, and when I did, he chastised me like a child.
“It’s okay, Alejandro. Rae is right, it’s just a party. She’s busy, and I should’ve considered that.” My mother tried to calm the situation. I could see my father’s light toasted almond complexion turning red.
“Youwillhelp your mother, Raven. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. My children will not be ungrateful. I taught you to help your family, and you will always help your mother. Even if it’sjusta party.” My father sat up straighter and leaned over the table in a threatening manner.
This wasn’t just about me not helping my mother with her frivolous party planning. This was about me breaking the binds. This was the first time in my life that I had told my father no. I’ve always wanted to please everyone. Especially him.