TIANA
Tears trailed down her cheeks, fortunately, they were only motivated by the outcome in the courtroom when we won the case. No other feeling I'd ever felt in the life I've had could compare to the joy I felt knowing good had prevailed.
"I don't know if I've said this enough but . . . thank you," she sniffled as her mother, Lisa rubbed her back soothingly. I could see in her mother's eyes the emotions dying to spill down her own cheeks. Seeing the love and support between them almost had me succumbing to the need to cry as well. My mother leaned against the counter observing them and the way her eyes were constantly blinking, I knew she was on the brink of breaking down too.
I had only met Monica's mother on a handful of occasions when we met up to discuss the case. But she seemed like a nice individual from the times we spoke. What I was sure of was the love and protective nature she had for Monica and I knew winning this case was equally imperative to her as much as it was for Monica.
"It's fine Monica. It wouldn't have been right for me to let your story go unheard- you along with so many others deserve some peace beyond the turmoil you've gone through."
My mother came forward and placed a few bakery goods in front of us. And for what seemed like the thousandth time today, Monica's eyes lit up with glee. She smiled at me and I secretly hoped a friendship would develop between us. The thought made me hopeful to open up such that when we were in the mood to celebrate, we came to my mother's shop. Even though my mother hadn't said it- I could see it in her eyes that she was happy that in some way I was making an effort to not hide away into my shell.
"Little T is kicking ass, I see," my smile widened when I heard Nathan's voice. He walked further into the shop and engulfed me in a warm hug. When he turned to Monica maybe I may have been over reading things but there seemed to be a certain twinkle in his eye when he hugged her as well with a level of care as if fearful to break her.
"I'm really glad you won the case," he muttered, I held back a smile at the way he rubbed his neck awkwardly at the smile she gave him.
Well I'll be damned. . .
When she introduced him to her mother, he appeared flustered and nervous at meeting the older woman who seemed to watch him with a knowing look.
Looks like I wasn't the only one who saw it.
Once he greeted my mother whose smile widened as she came and placed a slice of cake in front of him once he settled comfortably into his seat.
"I swear you have a gift," he groaned after taking a generous bite of the chocolate goodness eliciting a giggle from my mother.
"So what's the plan now?" he asked, Monica shrugged her shoulders. But given the way she bit her lip, I could see the smile begging to form again.
"The sky's the limit."
"And you know that you keep on just keep on pressing on," he sang causing us both to burst out laughing at the classic tune that any rap fanatic who experienced 90's nostalgia would know.
But I knew Tupac had my heart since I heard Brenda's got a baby.
I moved subtly away from the pair as they conversed between them. When I was about to enter the kitchen, the space I used to spend hours on end with my mother learning to bake, the sound of the door opening caught my attention.
Luis entered the shop and the smile spread across my face before I could stop it.
He deserved my courtesy given the past circumstances. His eyes landed on me and a ghost of a smile seemed to be on his lips as he moved further into the shop.
"Are you here to steal more of the bakery treats?" I joked crossing my arms as he came and stood before me.
"Nah," he chuckled," I have to watch my figure," he playfully joked raising his arms, playfully flexing his muscles eliciting a laugh from me.
"All jokes aside, Rita told me you won your first case. I had to come and pass my congratulations to you."
"Speaking of Rita," I looked behind his shoulder hoping she would somehow appear out of thin air.
"She's on her way. She wasn't willing to miss the opportunity to show some love to her favorite lawyer," he smirked.
My eyes bulged out of their sockets," She actually said that," I whispered in disbelief moving towards him.
He bent down till his mouth was close to my ear and whispered back," You didn't hear it from me."
I chuckled not from the statement but more from the feel of his lips tickling my ear.
But he'd never know that.
The sound of a throat clearing caused us both to turn and find four pairs of eyes watching us. Two held amusement but the other two said otherwise. Lisa's face clammed up, growing pale as if she'd seen a ghost taking in Luis.
Odd.
Monica seemed to notice given the way she reached out to grasp her mother's hand. Lisa shook her head vigorously plastering a smile I could see was forced," I'm fine, sweetheart," she mumbled sparing Luis one last glance. The look made me uncomfortable and suspicious as to why she was acting nervous.
But before I could ask what was wrong, Monica's mother shot up from her seat," I-I uh . . . have to go. Why don't you hang out with your friends?"
"But-"
"We'll spend plenty of time together tomorrow, I promise," she replied quickly leaving Monica to quietly nod her head and sink further into her seat. Her mother gathered her things, mumbling a low 'good-bye' to us keeping her head to the ground especially when she passed Luis who seemed perplexed at the woman's odd behavior.
Once she left the shop, Monica whose gaze was yet to waver from the direction which her mother went replied," S-Sorry about that, I swear she's never acted like that before, "she cleared her throat giving a sheepish smile to the rest of us still processing everything.
Until the sound of a chair scrapping the hard surface caught our attention as Nathan stood up with purpose and moved to stand by my side, seizing Luis from head to toe. Immediately taking the option from all of us to discuss the possible reason behind Lisa's abrupt departure from our little celebration.
"Is everything okay here, T?" his tone came out gruffer. I nodded my head quickly- willing to do anything to deflate any more awkward tension. Luis seemed unaffected, stood his ground and stretched his arm out to Nathan.
"We haven't officially met, I'm Luis."
Nathan eyed his hand as if there was some trickery hidden behind the gesture whilst I sent a silent prayer hoping by some miracle this moment would come to a fast end. He eventually slipped his hand into his.
"Nathan, a good friend of the family. You know, its funny- you've never been mentioned before," he murmured briefly glancing in my direction, but I ignored the accusatory look finding the tiles on the floor more interesting.
"Well I've known Tiana and her mom for quite some time now."
"Oh so you're just some stranger," Nathan remarked squaring his jaw.
"Nathan," my voice was laced in a warning which I hoped he'd acknowledge enough to back away. But if this life has taught me anything- it's never going to bend to my will.
"What? I'm just trying to acquaint myself with Luis, here. Since no one told me about him."
I moved away with Nathan still on my heel," You're not my father, Nate."
"But I damn sure consider myself your brother! And need I remind you the shit that happened- you seem awfully close with the fucker. If Tim could see you now-"
"Don't you dare!" I snarled jabbing my finger into his chest, my anger flaring at the accusations being thrown at me. I understood the reason why Nathan was upset but for him to react like this was uncalled for. And after I began learning more about him, I could only see goodness in Luis that was hard to admit.
"You two need to calm down," my mother's voice cut in along with her body between us stuck in a frowning match.
"He started it," I mumbled crossing my arms; he scoffed and walked past me to take a seat next to Monica who awkwardly remained silent.
"I didn't mean to start anything. I'll leave," Luis stated, sparing one last glance towards me before he walked out of the shop. For some odd reason, I didn't hesitate in following him outside, ignoring Nathan's calls- only to find Rita talking to him.
"I'm sorry about what happened in there," I mumbled shifting on my feet unsure of what to do.
He turned and gave me a blank look, that quickly melted as he sighed pinching the bridge of his nose." I'm okay. . . I'll live honestly," he chuckled but there was edginess to it." I won't use that moment to squander the story we're making," his voice softened when the worry inside me made up the scope of my face.
"You authors are so dramatic," I chuckled lightly.
"Would it be an inconvenient time to say congrats on the big win?" Rita asked switching her gave between us.
The look made me feel sheepish at the fact I forgot once again that we weren't alone.
"Uh . . . not at all. Thanks for coming." She nodded quietly and I could only watch on in silence the way she reached out and rubbed his shoulder gently. The gesture was simple from anyone randomly passing but there was a level of care to it as he gave her a nod of assurance.
However, the sound of a phone ringing cut through the air disrupting the moment. Luis reached out and once he took a look at the phone- the millions of emotions played out through his eyes fascinated me but only made me worried at the mortified look on his face.
"Is everything, okay-"
"I-I uh. . . I got to go," he quickly mumbled moving past us, leaving Rita dumbfounded by his abrupt departure. He had barely made any eye contact and given the pace he was moving at he wasn't willing to wait around for our reactions even when Rita called his name numerous times.
People seem to be acting so strangely today.
"I've never seen him like that before," Rita's worry-filled gaze remained trained on his retreating profile.
"I'm sure he'll talk to you when he's ready."
"What happened in there, anyways? When I first saw him, he seemed upset," she moved towards me and spared another glance into the shop as if the answer laid there within the confinements of the establishment. In a way, the problem was there, and in as much as Nathan's behavior irked me- my past behavior towards Luis had been more or less the same. She looked at me expectantly and when I opened my mouth to utter some excuse I snapped it shut.
She moved towards me and placed her hand on my shoulder," You don't have to say anything. Besides . . . now that I think about it. . . for as long as I've known him, he'll eventually tell me when he's ready."
"So Aunt Jeane was right, that you guys are siblings?"
Her eyes widened, I had always seen her as a confident woman who was always sure of herself above any shadows of doubt such that it was strange to see her nervous. She cleared her throat, looking everywhere else but me. Taking a few seconds it seemed to gather herself when she looked at me and said," You met Aunt Jeane? I can't believe she practically told you our family tree," she groaned making me chuckle. I could tell she was a bit embarrassed.
"Don't worry, she only showed me embarrassing pictures of Luis. But . . . why didn't you tell me about you and him?" The question had been on my mind for some time. When she revealed information about him, why hadn't she just told me that they happened to be family? As much as I would have been curious about learning the details about their families, I could swallow it down out of fear of not wanting to pry in other people's business.
She bit her lip and I was just about to tell her to forget I had even asked since the question made her uncomfortable if it hadn't been for her saying," I was afraid."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
She sighed heavily, "I handled your brother's case years ago, Tiana. And as much as I hadn't asked for it, I watched the pain and anguish resonate inside of you. To the point I could see that your emotions were moving towards resentment. . . It didn't feel like the right time to tell you- I honestly saw the potential of a good relationship developing between us and. . . ."
"I completely understand, Rita," I gave her a faux smile, doing my best to hide the discomfort that poked my side knowing that I had grown hateful.
That she feared if she told me Luis was her brother that I might view her in a different light.