Page 81 of Til Death
Mom was raised by her grandmother mostly because her mom worked a lot after her dad ran out on them. A lot of her ways some might have deemed as old school.
“Well I for one don’t think there’s an issue with the two of you having a chef. No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen all day.”
“It’s not like she has anything else to do. The least she can do is cook for my son.”
Xylina propped her hand on her hip and mugged my mom. “For your information…”
“Actually, Mama, Xylina recently got a gig working as a stylist for the singer Simone.”
“Seriously?” Reginae cut in.
“Yep. She sees how valuable I am.” Xylina shot a deadpan look in my mom’s direction.
I was starting to get a headache. The two weren’t around each other often but I’d never noticed how bad it was.
“Go ahead and make you a plate, Xylina. I need to talk to my mom.”
“Sure thing, hubby. I’ll make usbotha plate.” Xylina placed a hand on my arm and pushed up, pressing her lips gently against mine. She shot a look in both Mom’s and Reginae’s directions before walking off.
Mama Chelle snickered. “Your daughter-in-law has claws, Zoya. You better watch out.” She walked toward the food too with Reginae huffing and following her.
Sighing, I faced my mom and gave her a small smile. “Can you chill some, Mom? We’re all here to have a good time and celebrate my birthday. I didn’t bring my wife here to play referee between you two all night.”
Mom hummed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Your wife? I wasn’t aware you even looked at her as such.”
“I’m just trying to make the best of the situation. No sense in being miserable over something that can’t be changed.”
Mom didn’t look convinced but flicked her wrist. “Fine, I’ll play nice. You know all I want is for you to be happy.”
I wrapped an arm around her. “I know and I’m appreciative. You always have my back, but I’m a grown man. I don’t need you coming to my rescue, you know that, right?”
Mom smirked. “You sound just like your father. Yeah, yeah, I hear you.” I laughed and led us toward the tables where Xylina was now sitting with a plate in front of her and one next to her.
The tension eased once everyone got their food and sat around the rectangle table to eat. Once grace was said, we dug in.
“Tell us about this trip. You went to a ry what now?” Dad asked. We were discussing how my birthday was brought in.
“Ryokan. It’s a Japanese-style hotel,” Xylina mentioned.
“I think I heard of it. It’s in the mountains, right?” Ryo asked.
“Yeah. That’s the one, Ryokan Cashmere Spa and Resort.”
“Mhm, Shantelle mentioned it to me once. There’s a waitlist to even get a reservation. Surprised you were able to get one.”
“That’s because I booked it months ago.” I paused mid-scoop of baked beans and looked at Xylina.
“What?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I figured it would be nice to do something, just the two of us, for your birthday. When I learned of Ryokan Cashmere, since you’re into hiking and all that, I thought it would be perfect since opening season for all that would just be starting.”
That surprised me. I knew the room we’d gotten wasn’t an easy one to secure but I didn’t know Xylina had put that much thought into getting it.
“How considerate of you, Xylina. I assume you two had a good time?” Dad questioned.
Xylina’s smile damn near took over her whole face. “We did. One of the best trips I’ve ever taken.” She laid her hand on my arm.
“Glad to hear that. My son works hard but hardly takes time out to enjoy himself.”
