Picture Perfect
“I’m so glad you came,” I said as Lynetta led Mama into the living room along with Mr. Turner. “Hello, Mr. Turner.”
“Hi, Destiny, how are you, sweetheart?” Mr. Turner asked.
“I’m doing better today. Would you like something to drink?” I asked including Mama and Mr. Turner in my gaze.
“No, thanks,” Mr. Turner said.
“You got any bottled water?” Mama asked.
“One bottle of water coming up,” I said getting up to head to the kitchen.
“I’ll get it, Ms. Destiny,” Lynetta said one step ahead of me.
“Okay,” I said with a smile.
Mama gave me an approving nod.
“John, do you mind if Destiny and I have a moment to talk?” she said blushing under Mr. Turner’s stare.
“Of course not, honey. I’m going to check out the rest of the house and see what my son has going on here. If you need me holler,” Mr. Turner said as he gave Mama a peck on the cheek.
“Okay, dear,” Mama said with a big smile rushing to her cheeks to meet his lips.
Once Mr. Turner went out the patio door, I asked, “So you’re just going to date my father-in-law like that?”
“I wish I could say all we were doing is dating,” Mama said with a knowing grin.
I waved my hands in the air and shook my head. “Say no more! That is already too much information.”
Mama laughed, and for the first time in years her laugh seemed to be coming from a light in her soul. I was so happy for her that I sat on the sofa beside her and gathered her up in my arms. “I’m happy for you, Mama. This is the love you deserve.”
“Thanks, baby. For the first time in a long time, I feel good about being in a relationship.”
“This is good for you. I like Mr. Turner,” I admitted.
“He is really a good man. Already talking about marriage.”
“Marriage?”
“Yes, he asked me to marry him.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him he should come back and ask me again as soon as he divorces Tammy.”
“That’s a good answer,” I admitted. Even though I knew Mama was giving him a hard time, she had the right to be the only one in his life before making such a huge commitment. “Do you want to marry him?” I asked.
“I do. I just want to do it the right way and, when he’s ready to stand firm for what he wants this time around, he will do things the right way, too.”
“All I want is for things to work out in your best interest.”
“And if they do I guess we’ll both have big days coming up in the near future,” Mama said, raising her hand to give me a high five.
“We’ll both be marrying Turner men!”
“Yep,” Mama said taking a drink from her water.