Page 83 of Til Death
A shocked expression passed over her face. “Not only is thisnot the time, but I don’t need you to speak for me. What goes on in my marriage is something me and Xylina will handle in private. You and Dad prepared this great dinner and I’d rather it not be ruined by an issue that has nothing to do with anyone who isn’t me and my wife.”
Mom was silent, still in shock, while Dad sat next to her with a smirk on his face. We made eye contact and he gave me a nod.
“Well then.” Mom cleared her throat and set her wine glass down. “I didn’t mean to overstep.” She pushed away from the table. “I think it’s time for the cake.”
She didn’t wait for anyone to reply, getting up from the table and walking out the pavilion.
The mood was ruined and I wasn’t sure if it would recover. The tension was too thick and awkward.
“You all must forgive my wife. Sometimes she forgets our son isn’t a kid anymore. Xylina, please forgive me.”
Xylina stayed silent and gave my dad a half ass nod before picking up her phone.
“Trust me, I’ve been there. I had to force Michelle to cut the cord when it came to our kids.”
Mama Chelle turned and cut her eyes at her husband. “No one asked for your two cents.”
“I’m just saying. Sometimes as moms you guys don’t know when to let these kids fall on their asses and learn for themselves.”
The two of them went back and forth before Erik pulled Mama Chelle over and kissed her, silencing whatever she was about to say.
“No one wants to see that.” Roman balled his face up.
“Then close your eyes.” Erik kissed her again.
Xylina was quiet now, on her phone. The smile she previously sported was nonexistent.
“Cake time!” Mom had returned with a medium-sized, circle cake. A three and a five candles were placed on top. She was smiling like nothing happened.
“We don’t have to do the candles, Mom,” I told her when she went to light them.
“Nonsense. What’s a birthday celebration without candles being blown out?”
There was no point arguing.
After happy birthday was sung and I blew the candles out, the cake was cut and distributed. Xylina declined, still staying quiet and engrossed in her phone.
Another hour went by before the nightfinallyended. Mom helped prepare to-go plates.
Mama Chelle approached me. “Your mom has blinders on, you know?” Xylina needed to use the restroom so I was sitting at the table alone. Her kids had all left already and Erik was off to the side speaking with my dad.
“What’s that mean?”
She smiled softly. “I know she has her reservation about that wife of yours and your marriage. And knowing your wife’s family, it’s justified, but you can tell by the way she looks at you, Xylina’s feelings for you are genuine.”
“You think that after only one dinner with her?”
“It wasn’t hard to see. She looks at you all starry eyed, like you’re all she sees. I don’t know the ins and out of your marriage or if she’ll make a good mother, but that girl is not faking havingfeelings for you. Trust me, she could be some leech like that woman my son insists on marrying.” She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes before continuing. I chose not to comment about Ryo’s engagement. “No matter what your mom thinks about her, the feelings she has for you are real.”
Xylina had stepped back into the pavilion just as Mama Chelle was finishing her observation.
“Let me go see if your mom needs any help cleaning up. I hope despite the little hiccup you enjoyed your birthday.”
Mama Chelle stood as Xylina approached the table. “Can we leave now?” she questioned.
I studied her for a second before tipping my head forward. “Just let me say bye to my parents.”
She nodded and focused on her phone. I wasn’t used to seeing her accept defeat so easily.
