Page 59 of Big Mad
“Wi,chère.” Virginia laughed, bumping my shoulder with hers. “Surround me with more little people! All of you.”
“Not me.” Phoenix shook her cinnamon-colored curly fro.
My eyes watered. Damn emotions crept up with the same nerve as unpaid bills.
“I know mybébés that y’all talk about Texas’s disappearance before I sit, then when I get up, y’all recap your next steps. Don’t play with me.”
I froze mid-sip. “Well …” I began. She wasn’t wrong.
“I know y’all mean no harm, trying to keep me safe.”
“Yes, Momma Virginia. We didn’t want you to be hurt.” I placed my hand on hers.
“I know. It’s good, and I thank you. I think you needed this, too, Madison.” Virginia turned her hand over, clasping mine. “You let Wash back into your life. Now your sistahs.”
“Sorry,” I murmured. “I never meant to push y’all away.”
“You’re fine, mô fiy, but we’re not meant to go it alone. We don’t grieve like people without hope. We speak life over each other,chère. That’s our healing: community and sharing love.”
I cherished hearing Momma Virginia call me her daughter again.
Phoenix raised her glass. “We grieve with gumbo on the stove, Miss Virginia’s stove, and laughter in our bellies. That’s our healing.”
“Wait, I thought shrimp and grits were on the stove.” Zuri winked.
“Mm-hmm,” I said, “Momma Virginia knows our favorites.”
“Pah, you coulda fooled me, knowing that,” she said. “You haven’t come over for grillades.”
Since I lacked an acceptable answer, and she didn’t take no mess, I nodded to Phoenix. “How is it that you’re the youngest, yet you’ve bequeathed that seasoned testimony, though? Laughter in our bellies. I forgot how good it was for the soul.”
Phoenix blushed, cheeks the same color as her hair. She was always bashful. She had mentioned that joining a krewe helped her break free from shyness and embrace her full figure. But once in a while, it still peeked through. Phoenix had a good heart.
I glanced at Genèse, who sipped her free drink, eyes roaming the restaurant, eager for drama. How was this woman even a Babineaux? Genèse was the twins’ bio-cousin, and though I’d never had the pleasure of meeting Texas and Tennessee’s father, I knew his entire family were angels, so I wasn’t sure how this little demon manifested herself. We all knew she was only here for a free meal. She played with her phone the entire time, only chiming in to vote for Bougie Boutique Beige without raising her eyes to glance at any of the swatches.
After eating, Virginia slid out of the booth. “Y’all leave without getting desserts and sayingorévwar, there will be trouble, ya heard?”
“We won’t, Auntie,” Genèse said, smiling so hard, I swear her lip gloss started plotting crimes.
As soon as Virginia disappeared behind the kitchen door, Genèse sat forward, eyes glittering.Oh, here we go.She must’ve been waiting foradultears to leave, so she could act the way Virginia calledmannish.
“I just wanna say …” Genèse toyed with her straw, real coy. “This whole wedding situation may not be a good idea.”
“Situ-what?” I snarled, halfway offended and ready to baptize her in sweet tea.
Zuri raised her brow and stayed quiet, even though beneath her education sat a woman who was done withthiscreature.
“Genèse.” Phoenix’s lips tugged into a tight smirk. “What do you mean,wedding situation? Or is this about that other woman? Your bestie done chased after Montana for years. She failed, no question, booboo.”
“No, it’s?—”
“Good, then give your quick, ‘My bad,’ because enough is enough!” Phoenix lowered her voice. “You married, Genèse. I’d tell you to go sit yourself down somewhere, but I doubt that would work. The only man you ever need to check is your husband.”
Genèse blinked.
“Yes, I’m coming for you,” Phoenix added, her hands shaking. “Zuri is too nice. And I’m at the next step of my anti-shyness campaign. Besides, you’ve sat here this weekandlast week. Said nothing about anything. Ain’t this the first time you’ve mentioned the wedding?”
Preach!I wished this woman were my other sister-in-law. Tennessee and Phoenix often dressed up together. Theymatched. Twinsies. Yet, rumor had it, he never benefited from the situation. It was as if Shonda had morphed herself into theirsituationshipand drafted a no-sex clause, thus nullifying their besties with benefits. But he needed this woman.Ineeded this woman!Sheshadedwith facts. All facts. And you couldn’t get mad at her.
