a little part of you is terrified. You know it’ll be fun. You know you’ll scream, but you don’t know the exact sensations you feel until you’re up there, riding the dips, dives, highs and lows, rapid turns and enduring harsh stomach flips. That’s how life works. That’s how love works, too. Even healthy relationships have valleys and mountains. Deserts, lakes, and streams.”
“How are you such an expert on this, huh?” He laughed.
“I had a dating life before your father. I have a friend now, too.”
He stared at her.
“You tell me I kept Yasmine a secret, and here you have a whole, grown ass, fucking boyfriend I know nothin’ about… Who is he? I’mma gonna kill him.”
She burst out laughing and shook her finger at him.
“And you wonder why I never told ya?!” She cackled. “Nix, you’re too domineering and possessive! I’m the parent here, remember?!”
She laughed so hard now she was turning red. He tried to smile, but he couldn’t manage it. For some reason, being kept in the dark about such a thing rubbed him the wrong way. “Look at your face! You’re really pissed. God help Yasmine! Geesh! Anyway, to set the record straight, he’s not my boyfriend. Just a guy I go to the cinema with every now and again… get a chicken dinner… some coffee.” Ma’s cheeks plumped and turned rosy. “You don’t know him. I like him, though. Nice fella.”
“Is he employed?”
“Retired.”
“Ever married?”
“Yes. Twice. Has two adult sons.”
“Twice? Well, isn’t that a real peach! He’s a two-time loser!”
She rolled her eyes and grabbed her cup of tea from the coffee table.
“You have no room to be judgmental. You’ve had more women than a beach has sand.”
“Does he ask ya for money?”
“Nix.”
“Well? Does he?”
“No. Are we finished with your questionnaire now, Mr. Perry Mason? I’m not on a witness stand.”
“I’m just getting warmed up. I want his full name, number, and address. Gotta check up on this guy, make sure he’s not some sorta scammer tryna pull the wool over my mother’s eyes.”
“Nixon Angelo Rossellini, you’re demented.” She gave him a stern look, gripping her cup with both hands. When she said his full name like that, she meant business. “You and your father have so much in common, it’s horrible to watch, quite honestly. Thankfully, you have enough going for you in a positive direction to kinda balance it all out, but let me tell ya, I didn’t take any shit from your father, and I damn sure am not gonna tolerate it from my own kid. I swear I want to get you tested for a battery of mental illnesses. You’re nuts!”
“I meant what I said, Ma. I will make him regret the day he was born if he’s got ulterior motives. If he’s legit, then he’s got nothin’ to worry about.” He tasted his coffee. Ma always made the best coffee.
“You’re paranoid, you know that? You never trust anyone. Is that why you didn’t tell me about Yasmine?”
“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
“You kept her a secret from me. Were you afraid that something bad would happen, then you’d have egg on your face?”
“I’m sure that was part of it.” He set his cup on the table.
“Well? What was the other part?”
He mulled her question for a moment.
“The rollercoaster you mentioned earlier… that’s it. I don’t want to be on the rollercoaster, Ma, and yet, I already bought my ticket. I’m determined to ride, and I refuse to get outta line. I love her so damn much!”
Ma got up from her seat and sat down next to him on the couch, then wrapped her warm arms around him. He pressed his forehead against her chest as she caressed his hair.
This was the only woman he’d ever let get close to him. Women were just too powerful. Dangerous creatures indeed. He’d seen too many of his friends become broken-hearted. Powerful men who had women knock them to their knees. He’d seen how his mother had pulled back from his father, taking her love away, leaving a shell of a man behind. Dad barely recovered and settled for second prize – and boy, was it a doozy.
“Nix, there’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re afraid,” she said in a low, soothing voice. “Love can be scary. You let this woman into your life. You fell in love. I can see why you like Yasmine so much. She’s engaging, intelligent, well-spoken. She’s absolutely beautiful, too. Just go with it. It’s a hell of a ride,