enjoying this mild sparring, although it felt somewhat forced, as if this woman wasn’t showing her true nature. She was just running off the mouth out of obligation. Maybe he was wrong…
“Verbal cues are just as important as non-verbal ones. You’re giving me ‘snake’ vibes. You’re handsome, and you know it. You didn’t come into this world with a silver spoon in your mouth, so you appreciate hard work, and that’s good, but I notice your clothing… your jewelry. High end. It could also mean superficiality. Fake.”
“I totally agree with you, Mrs. Prince. Your assessment of me is your right to have. I, for one, now see why Yasmine is the way she is.”
“Is that a backhanded compliment?” She smirked.
“Yes. Now, normally, I match energies with people. If someone is giving me grief, a hard time, I match them. Sometimes, I double or triple it. But you are my sweetheart’s mother, the life force of someone I happen to love very much. I can’t do that.”
“Oh, you could try, like you’ve been doing. Go ahead… this is fun.” Her lips curled and her eyes gleamed.
The woman just might be batshit crazy. But she also is no dummy. This was a calculated move.
“You don’t have to try to intimidate me because honestly, you can’t. I know you love her, and I know this a test. I want your daughter. And I have her. Now, what?”
The woman threw him an icy glare, and he reciprocated.
“In fact, your daughter means more to me than I could ever express to you,” he continued, “You want to see if I am man enough to handle her because hell, if I can’t even accomplish that, how could I give her what she truly needs? You want her to have a man with backbone, refinement, and respect. You’re not certain if I am that man. I assure you that I am. Again, I believe this is a test, of the concerned mother emergency system, funded by Yasmine International.”
I’m not a mother, but I am a motherfucker. The woman’s expression was now unreadable. Then, a faint smile creased her face. That smile grew into a head nod, and light laughter. She wrapped her hand around his shoulder and pulled him near.
“I’m satisfied. For now,” she said in his ear. “And yes, I was toying with you. I wanted to see what you’d do. You did well. A little too much defiance, but I’ll give you a solid B+.”
At this, he burst out laughing.
“I’ve only gotten one B in my entire life. Is there any extra credit I can do so I can boost my grade?”
“Perhaps! I’ll see how you treat my daughter. Now, I’ll answer the question you asked, earlier.”
“About how she acts differently?”
“Yes. She smiles more now than she has in years. Don’t get me wrong, Yasmine is a happy woman – she finds joy in the small things, she appreciates her life and her worth. However, you added another layer. You were the extra oomph she desired. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. My baby deserves to smile like the Cheshire Cat. And word has it, you’re the cat’s meow.”
Just then, Yasmine arrived with a man who reminded Nixon of Cab Calloway. His suit was nice, but a tad bit too big for his slender frame. His wavy salt and pepper hair was brushed back from his broad forehead and his eyes twinkled like a lake when the sun hits it just right. Nixon gave his hand a hearty shake.
“I’m Yasmine’s father. Nice to meet you!”
Nixon got a whiff of the man’s cologne, and it reminded him of his own father’s.
“Nice to meet you, too! Thank you so much for inviting me.” The older man looked him up and down.
“You want something to drink, man? You’re empty-handed?” The guy looked downright insulted. “You can’t be at Toni’s party and not have a drink! Come on with me. They’ve got a bar all set up in the kitchen.”
Yasmine playfully patted her father on the shoulder and then Nixon caught the tail-end of a strange exchange between her and her mother. They glanced at one another and waved their pinky fingers. He had no idea what the hell that meant, but her mother followed it up with a wink.
“Come on, now. I bet you’re a beer guy? No, maybe Scotch?”
“I like them all!” Nixon walked beside the man and glanced back at Yasmine and her mother. They both tossed him a glance, then drew closer together, closing the