Gabrielle didn't look up at him. Staring straight ahead at the wall, she clutched the spare napkins I had given her in her fist so tight her knuckles turned white.
“I didn't ask her, husband. But you know what I did ask for?” He looked back up at me. A week ago, the frown he now wore would have intimidated the hell out of me.
“Do you know what I asked for?” I repeated when he didn't say anything.
“What?” He growled losing patience.
“I asked for a simple dinner party. I've been standing on my feet all day cooking.” Tears came to my eyes. Not for myself, but for Gabrielle. I could feel her pain as if it was my own.
“And all I ask is that everybody sit down and eat it.” I pointed to Kenny, who was watching us with wide eyes.
“Can you do that?” He nodded.
“Yes ma'am!” He said sitting up straighter in his chair. I pointed at Mac.
“Can you do that?”
“Yep!”
I walked up to Gabriel and put my finger smack dab in the center of his chest.
“Can you do that?”
He looked down at me, taking in the tears in my eyes and his nostrils flared. He wanted to walk away so bad I could see him battle himself.
“Fine!” He spat from between clenched teeth before he sat back in his chair, the frown good and cemented on his face. Both Kenny and Mac stared at him in nothing less than astonishment.
I put my hands together and let a smile settle on my face.
“Great!” Walking to my chair that was opposite Gabe's, I eased down in it. Everybody stared at me, as if they were unsure of what to do next. And honestly, I was unsure of what to do, so I just thought about what my grandmother would do.
“How about we start with a little prayer? Kenny can you lead us?” The look of horror that came upon both his and Mac's face was priceless. A sound came from Mac's mouth that sounded like,“Whaaaat!”
Even the frown slipped for a moment off Gabe's face, as his gaze fell on Kenny.
“Oh no! Yas. You don't want me to pray. Trust me!”
Mac looked over at me. “Trust him!”
“Okay, well then. I guess I'll say the prayer.”
“Dear Heavenly Father, please bless this food and the people at this table. Please let your peace settle in on us.”
And you know what? He did. In fact, now looking back, that dinner party had been the calm before the storm, because the next day, Gabe and I would have a huge fight. One that I am sure will go down in the history books, however, I did enjoy the rest of that night.
Gabe didn't stop frowning at his mother until he began to eat. And I sat there secretly thrilled because for a moment nobody said anything. I could tell they really thought the food was good, there was the occasional grunt, and moan.
But the crowning moment for me happened when Gabriel tasted his first fork full of pie. His eyes widened, and he looked over at me as if I was some kind of phenomenal.
“Damn bae!” Was all he said in-between bites. When he was done with the first slice he cut himself another that was ridiculously bigger than the first. And I mean he cleaned his plate. Gabrielle watched him with a little smile on her face, for what mother didn't like to see their child experience joy.
However, Gabe looked up and caught her watching him. And I guess that was all the peace the Heavenly Father was going to allow us sinners, cause the frown came right back. He stood suddenly.
“I've lost my appetite.”
Kenny made a noise in his throat, staring at Gabe's empty plates with a look of amazement on his face. “Lost your appetite? You ate damn near everything at the table. Nigga... you full!”
“Yeah whatever!” Gabe grumbled. “Wife, this dinner was the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” His hostile gaze fell on his mother.
“The only thing that could have made it better is if only those I consider family was invited.” My mouth dropped. I can't believe he said that. Gabrielle shoulders slumped.
I looked up at him in anger, but he had put up with all he was going to and turned to leave the dining room. Seconds later, he came back in and shamelessly grabbed the pan of leftover pie and a fork off the table; and after nodding my way, left out again as grandly as he came.
For a moment we all just sat there staring at him. It was Kenny that broke the silence.
“I told you he had a killer sweet tooth.”
Chapter 13
The Fight
Yasmin
Mayor Davenport wore an evil smile as he snatched the wig off my head before fisting my hair to the point of blinding pain. My movements came to a halt.
“Second lesson, we don’t hit our master!” He punched me, hard. The blow left me dazed. It took everything within me to fight unconsciousness. Who knew what he would do to me if I passed out. And then horrifically I felt him yank at my dress, ripping it open exposing my breast to him. That clicking noise came from his throat again, this time louder.
“So sweet, and tender!” He spoke looking down at my chest no longer sounding human. My eyes widened as he lowered his head and began to plant sloppy kisses on my neck and chest. I was going to be sick.
I reached out my hand for something, anything. And thanked God when my palm landed on the brass lamp that had belonged to my grandmother. Pain shot through me when I felt his teeth. And I don’t know where I got the strength but I lifted the heavy lamp and brought it down hard on his head, the corner of it embedded in his temple.
I stared in shock as blood spewed out the hole from the side of his head unto
