McKinney swallowed and began to wring her hands. “Look how Dad does Landon because of Claire, and now, he is doin’ the same thing to me. I knew this would happen.”
Aries remembered how Lauren had spoken to him some about the man – both good and bad things. “Oh, don’t be silly, Lauren. This is—”
“No, Mama, before you even say it, it’s not different. Daddy was actin’ up before any of that even happened. I also knew when I told you on the phone last week that Aries and I were dating, he was going to behave this way. I kept it to myself as long as I could and that’s why I have asked you a million times over to please stop sharing everything I tell you with Daddy.” The woman’s complexion deepened and her sweet smile faded as Lauren lost her cool. “This is why I never tell him anything directly, Mama. At least nothin’ that is going to cause a reaction. I am tired of it.”
The older woman stiffened, looked in the direction of the kitchen exit, then opened a cabinet and removed a box of crackers.
The sound of shoes hitting the floor grew louder and louder until the tall, pear-shaped man entered with a scowl on his almond-colored face. He and Lauren had the same exact eyes.
“You don’t have to talk about me in third person. Hell, I’m right here.”
“I couldn’t tell you were here, Daddy, because I can count on five fingers how many words you’ve said since we’ve walked through the door,” Lauren snapped, venom in her tone.
“All right now. Don’t you two start.” Mrs. McKinney threw a forced smile Aries’ way to soften the pending blows. She gave him the impression of being a peacemaker, hating any sort of tension.
Then, it hit him. The truth of the matter. I was hoping this wouldn’t be a problem. I suppose it is.
“Mr. McKinney, do you have concerns about me being White?” All eyes shifted to him. “Lauren told me that her brother’s wife is White though she didn’t say much else about it. I’m just trying to put two and two together and since I haven’t been here but for a few minutes, and that’s the best I can come up with.”
The old man seemed surprised by his frankness. He placed his hand on his hip and stood straighter.
“I think you’re incapable of being what Lauren needs. I think—”
“Landon… go on back to the living area and sit down. I have some coffee and—”
“Doris,” he said, his tone harsh and borderline rude. He narrowed his gaze on his wife. Lauren’s mother slowly turned away and sighed, as if resigned to what was about to happen, no matter how hard she tried to avoid it. Aries felt bad for the woman. “Mr. Creed, I don’t want my daughter seeing you. Is it because you’re White, you asked? You have that correct.” And then, the man opened the refrigerator door, picked a bottle of something, and headed back to his TV.
“Excuse me, sir.” Aries got to his feet. Lauren’s dad paused and turned around.
“What?”
“Mr. McKinney, it would be nice if you’d give me a chance. All I’ve done thus far is walk through the door. Now, I can’t tell you how to feel. I’m certain you’ve had experiences throughout your life that have led you to the place you’re at in your heart right now regarding folks that look like me. It’s not my job to change your mind, but it is my job to be good to your daughter. And that’s what I plan to do.”
Her father’s gaze drifted over everyone. Nobody said a word. The sound of the television from the living area and some little timer tick-tocking in the kitchen were the only sounds that could be heard.
“That’s all well and fine, and the road of regret is paved with good intentions.”
“Oh. I thought it was flat squirrels,” Lauren interjected. It took everything within Aries to stop from laughing, also because Lauren was mad as hell and he didn’t want to poke the beast.
“As I was saying before my daughter interrupted me,” he stated dryly, “I don’t believe that you and Lauren can truly understand one another. Race is more than skin deep. You might be a nice man, I don’t know…” He shrugged. “I don’t care, either, because being nice doesn’t let you understand what my Black ass, my Black daughter, Black son, and Black wife have to go through on a daily