for a man in a uniform.
My parents aren’t just good people, they’re a damn good couple too. It’s why I can’t ever seem to settle for any of the men I’ve dated. They all don’t look at me the way my daddy looks at my mama, and I want that sort of forever love. I want someone who will flirt and tease me over breakfast and still bring a smile and blush to my face after forty years of bad days mixed in with the good.
“Alright now, Medley Bell,” Mama says as she sits down at the other head of the table. “You tell us what happened yesterday.”
I scoop up some food before answerin’ and then dive into everythin’ that went on. By the time I get to the bar and hit the bottom of my bowl of cheesy grits, it gets a bit hazy.
“So you were two minutes late deliverin’ that package?” Mama asks, passin’ the last of the bacon off to Daddy despite him sayin’ he was full.
“Yep. Patricia was already callin’ when I was walkin’ out of the office.”
“That woman is more bitter than a pot of collard greens,” she says with a tsk.
I nod in agreement as I finish up the last of my breakfast and then help myself to the pitcher of ice-cold lemonade that Mama squeezed herself.
“I’ll be havin’ words with her at church, you better believe that,” Mama says with an imperious nod.
“Don’t bother, Mama, really. I’ll find another job.” I hope.
“It’s the principle of the thing, Medley. You gotta respect yourself and stand up for yourself, or people will walk all over you,” she replies.
I smile and get to my feet, ploppin’ another kiss on her cheek. “You’re sweet, but I’ll be alright. No need to make a scene in the pews. Last time you did that, you lost your favorite Sunday hat.”
She hmphs a bit and then snags the dirty dishes out of Daddy’s and my hands before either of us can get to the sink first. “I got this. You two go on and get out of my kitchen now. I won’t have you messin’ things up.”
Daddy chuckles. “No, ma’am. We wouldn’t dream of it.”
Mama points a finger at him. “You just watch yourself, Teddy Bell. I see you over there fiddlin’ with that toaster when you should be out there cuttin’ that grass instead.”
“I’ll be sure to do that,” he says, just like he’s been sayin’ for the past several weeks.
“Mm-hmm,” Mama replies, not at all believin’ him.
“I can do it, Daddy,” I offer. “It’s not like I’m goin’ into work today, anyway.”
“No, honey girl. I don’t want you out there doin’ that. I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
I smile and shake my head at him. We both know he won’t.
“Mm-hmm,” I say, mimickin’ my mama.
“Medley Bell, where do you think you’re goin’?” Mama says, stoppin’ me before I walk out.
“Uh, I was gonna go shower.”
She shakes her head. “You didn’t finish your story.”
I fidget on my feet and pluck at the oversized T-shirt I have on. “Sure I did.”
“No. Last thing you said was you delivered the package late. What happened before your tribulation hit?”
I look over where Daddy is waitin’ expectantly for me to answer while Mama tackles the dishes. “Uh, well, I decided to have a drink at the bar, since I was already there and all.”
Mama casts me a look over her shoulder, her cheeks already pink from the steam risin’ up in the sink as she scrubs out the grits pot. “You stayed for a drink out in the middle of nowhere without a friend or a designated driver?”
I guess I’m not totally gonna be off the hook with lectures this mornin’. “I know, it was stupid,” I admit. “But I just needed a minute before I got back in the truck and had to face Patricia.”
“I expect so,” Daddy cuts in. “After that Ms. Jonay ran you off with her attack dog. I have a mind to stop by her house and slap a muzzle on that public menace.”
“Me too,” I say with a nod.
“Medley, don’t get off track,” Mama says. “What happened after you got yourself a drink?”
“Well…”
I chew on my bottom lip. I’m always honest with my parents, no matter what kinda stupid shit I get into. But I don’t know how they’re gonna take this next part.
“Wells are for water,” Mama chirps. “Tell us.”
I blow out a breath. “I thought there was somethin’ wrong with my drink.”
My parents immediately react.