TOMMIE
Cuzzo! When do you get in?
AUNTIE DON
Monique Renee, I still don’t have your flight information.
Monique clenched her teeth.
TOMMIE
Chill, Ma. She said she was coming.
The messages continued to pop and the conversation moved on without her. Monique tried to collapse onto the bed, but made more clothes tumble onto the floor instead.
“See,” she said, holding her phone up to Jasmine. “This is why I don’t want to go. They’re doing too much. I can bank my flight for another time. That way I’m not really losing any money.”
“Ma? You can’t back out now. They’re all just excited that you’re coming.” Jasmine sucked her teeth. “What will it hurt to play along for a little bit. It’s only, what, four? Five days?”
Jasmine passed the phone back. “And be for real. If you don’t go now, when will you ever use that plane ticket? You’re just making excuses.”
Her daughter was right, as annoying as that was. But Monique had to pat herself on the back too. She’d instilled in her kids the importance of family, of showing up and showing out for one another. Usually, she took pride in her tight-knit but distant family. Today, not so much.
Monique typed out a reply:
MONIQUE
Did I RSVP?
TOMMIE
girl you buggin
An Unknown Number sent a “shots fired” meme that made Monique chuckle. At least somebody had a sense of humor in all this wedding business.
MONIQUE
Quit crying Tommie. Save it for the wedding.
That Unknown Number sent a “No Lies Detected” meme. They were speaking Monique’s language. She huffed a laugh.
AUNTIE DON
Monique’s phone pinged again.
That Unknown Number sent the Janet Jackson “It’s true tho” GIF.
A giggle-snort burst from Monique’s lips and grew to a full-on laugh.
“Mom, are you okay?” Jasmine peered over the side of the bed and at her mother.
TOMMIE
yall buggin
LANIE (Tommie’s Lady)
Can’t wait to make this memory with you all. Remember the colors are burgundy, blush, and gold.