Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 142866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“I’m having a hysterectomy.”
It’s the last thing I was expecting her to say, and it lands on me and sinks in for a few seconds before I respond. A woman Aunt Geneva’s age doesn’t have much use for reproductive organs, but it’s still a major surgery.
“Oh, wow.” I frown. “Are you okay? When is the surgery?”
“Later this summer. They’re backed up and that’s the soonest I can get in, but I wanted to let you know far in advance because I’ll be on bedrest for a few weeks and won’t be able to adequately monitor Betty. She has a few doctor’s appointments that fall during my recovery time. We could bring in a nurse—”
“I’ll come home.” The words are out before I have time to think about what it will take to be away from Atlanta for weeks or what I’ll have to rearrange. Most of the time I feel so helpless, unsure what I can do to make life easier for both of them. This feels tangible and necessary. They need me and I’ll be there.
“You sure?” Despite what Aunt Geneva actually says, she sounds relieved.
“Of course. I’ll come take care of Mama and you, too.”
“You ain’t gotta take care of me, honey.”
“Yeah, I do. Unless Ellie’s coming from Costa Rica?”
“Naw.” Aunt Geneva makes a scoffing noise that manages to sound affectionate. “Not with them babies and the bar. It’s too much.”
Between two kids under the age of four, and the bar she and her husband own and operate, it’s hard for my cousin Ellie to get home, but Aunt Geneva makes sure to see her grandkids a few times a year.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” I tell her. “I got you.”
“If you have questions about something or need anything for your mama, I’ll be around, just off my feet. And they’ll arrange a meal train at the church for me, I’m sure, so you won’t have to worry about food.”
“I wasn’t planning to worry about food,” I joke, but she knows I mean it. “I’d have homecooked meals delivered if necessary.”
“Well, that won’t be necessary, Ms. Highfalutin’,” she laughs. “It’ll be good to have you home for a bit.”
I sober, wrapping my mind and my heart around the thought of being steeped in the reality of Mama’s condition every day. My chest goes tight, and my resolve wavers the tiniest bit. I know there is a lot I haven’t dealt with when it comes to this, but I’m afraid that if I let all that emotion out, I won’t ever be able to contain it again. It will run wild. I’m not sure I can do all the things I need to if that happens.
For some reason, and not for the first time, Maverick comes to mind. The rare understanding I found in his eyes Saturday night. The ease with which I voiced so many of the concerns about Mama that I’ve bottled up. He drew me out and into an openness I haven’t allowed myself with anyone. How do you articulate the ache of watching someone you love fade? It’s hard to put into words, and when I met Maverick, I didn’t have to. He already knew.
“I just wanted to check on you,” Aunt Geneva says. “And tell you about my surgery.”
“Thank you, Aunt G. Don’t worry.” I flop back onto my pillow and stare up at the ceiling as if the solutions to all my problems are sketched overhead. “I’ll take care of everything.”
CHAPTER 11
HENDRIX
No one’s looking at your coochie, Sol,” I laugh through a cloud of steam.
She has everything crossed to cover her nakedness. She’s crossed her arms, her legs. That girl crossed her heart. Yasmen and I are letting it all hang out and air out. There’s only one other woman in the steam room with us and she’s had her eyes closed the whole time. I think she’s fallen asleep.
“Well, I got it waxed just in case.” Soledad giggles, looking girlish with her face free of makeup and her hair curling riotously around her shoulders.
“Who waxes before they come to the spa?” Yasmen asks, eyes closed and lips curved into a smile. She’s regal, her coppery brown skin glistening with sweat and her braids gathered atop her head. “You know they offer that as a service here.”
“Yes, but me and my man are the only people who get to see the bush in full bloom.”
“How is our hot accountant, by the way?” I ask, leaning back and crossing my ankles. “I haven’t seen Judah in forever.”
“It’s been bonkers for him at work.” Soledad grimaces. “There’s an audit he’s overseeing. And Aaron just started this new group for cubers.”
“Like Rubik’s Cube?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Soledad says. “We hope it encourages socialization. And Adam is in this new programming club, and Judah’s been helping him navigate some of that. Like getting him some support at school.”