Seeing Yosiah had read the message I sent but didn’t respond caused my shoulders to sink forward and a sigh to leave my mouth. Locking it and putting it to the side, I lifted my eyes tostudy my friend who was currently checking herself out in the mirror.
“The faded wash denim one would look better on you,” I told her, referring to the halter top romper she wore.
We were at Nay Chic. I needed to grab a couple accessories for Simone, and when I told Savannah I was coming here, she wanted to tag along.
“You don’t think it’ll wash my skin out?”
I shook my head. “No, if you wear those tan wrap around the ankle sandals of yours, it’ll look cute.”
Savannah grinned. “I’m glad to have my bestie back! You always get me together.” She looked me over. “You’re not getting anything? All you did was grab stuff for Simone.”
I shook my head. “No, not really in the mood.” Deepening her frown, she stalked toward me and laid the back of her hand on my forehead.
“What are you doing?” I brushed her hand away.
“Just seeing if you were sick.Youdon’t want to shop? I never thought I’d see the day.”
Snickering, I checked my phone screen. “You’re so dramatic.”
Savannah gasped and clutched her chest. “Me? Dramatic. Never.”
Laughing, I stood up and shook my head. “Whatever. I’ll grab the other romper, watch my things.”
Heading out of the dressing room, I unlocked my phone and opened my text thread again.
Hubby:Are you going to come? Since this is my first pregnancy, I’d rather not go to my first prenatal visit alone like some single mother with no present dad.
I sent it, and when I saw it was read but no replying bubbles appeared, I felt my irritation starting to rise.
Hubby:We need to talk about things too. Can’t keep avoiding me.
This time, the message wasn’t even read. I was about to type another when I bumped into someone.
“Excuse—”
The woman spun and cut me off. “You need to watch where you’re going!”
My phone dropped and my mouth fell open. The woman in front of me looked as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Mom?” I asked slowly.
Her body tensed before straightening. “Xylina. It’s been a while.” Her voice was monotone. Her chin lifted as she stared at me like I was a stranger on the street and not the child she’d birthed.
“It’s been a while? That’s all you have to say to me? Do you know what daddy did! He stole my trust fund leaving me with nothing and you were nowhere to be found!”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Xylina, stop with the dramatics. It doesn’t look good on you.”
I didn’t remember the last time I’d spoken to my mom, let alone laid eyes on her. Once I got married and was out of the house, her trips became more frequent and our communication more scarce. To see her in front of me looking like she didn’t have a care in the world. Her neck, ears, and wrists beamed with diamonds. Not a hair out of place. Looking at her, you wouldn’t think her husband went bankrupt and was facing felony charges.
Balling my hands at my side, I tried to force my anger down. “I tried calling you, only to learn you’d changed your number. You never even checked on me to make sure I was okay. I met with Daddy too. He told me you left him for another man. What the hell is going on?”
Boredom rested on her face. “Seriously, Xylina, your husband runs one of the biggest upcoming tech companies in thecountry. You’re hardly suffering for money. And your father.” She paused and scoffed, balling her face up as if she smelled something bad. “That man, if that’s what you can call him, is weak. He used his money and business to make himself feel bigger than he is in more ways than one. What he has going on has nothing to do with me.”
“But he’s your husband. What about our family?”
Again, another eye roll. “Wake up, Xylina! I knew we should have sent you to school overseas. It seems being raised here in The States didn’t do you justice. That father of yours was pathetic and only cared for himself. He’s always had an inferiority complex and it’s finally caught up with him. Was I supposed to sit by his side and be taken down with him? It’s a good thing you inherited my looks, so you’ll be fine. Men are weak for beautiful women. That husband of yours is no exception, so I knew you’d be fine.”
She flicked her long, spiral curled, jet black hair over her shoulders. It looked like she had just climbed out her stylist’s chair.