Dinner From Hell

JAX

"Hey, babe what took you so long? I almost thought you'd get here before Giselle?" Imaani walks forward and gives me a hug

"I'm sorry, love. I got caught up" I kiss her forehead

"I can see you've changed already" she smoothed out my suit. And we made our way to my bedroom

"Yeah, I didn't want to delay more than I have. You look amazing love. If you get uncomfortable at any moment, let me know and I'll end the dinner" I give Imaani's hands a small reassuring squeeze.

She sighs "Thank you, I guess I'm nervous because it's your mum. I mean who wouldn't be?" she rambles "The first time we met was for like what? Few minutes... I dunno. But you get what I'm saying and- what if she already has this bad impression of me yunno? What if she doesn't like me? Oh my God" her eyes widen with fear

I chuckle at her rambling "Babe calm down, focus on me throughout, no one else matters when we're together" I bring her hands to my lips and give them a kiss

She smiles "You can't say that, she's your mum you know" She caresses my face gently and plays with the end of my hair carefully, trying not to ruin it.

"I know. I just dunno how dinners and conversations are going to fix all that lost time, you know?" I lean my head on her chest with my hands around her waist. I'm sitting on the bed and she's standing between my feet.

She refused to sit down because she was anxious. Even though it's very annoying and I hate it, I respect her decision if she says she's comfortable. And the least I can do is hold her while she stands.

"You have to understand it's not her fault baby, give her time, to try and make up for it, even though it won't be all the lost time, but she's here, and she's trying to fix your relationship, that's all that matters." She kisses my forehead.

"Thank you, love" I smile at her

"I'll be right back, I need a glass of water and I also need to call Sarah" I nod at her and she makes her way out.

I opened up to Imaani about my mum. About how she left when I was sixteen to Lord knows where. Leaving me all alone with that monster and only a note explaining why she left.

Flimsy excuse if you ask me.

Because who leaves their sixteen-year-old child all alone with an abusive man?

I know he hit her too, I know he did, and I know she must have been hurting but why promise to always be with me the night before and then suddenly disappear from my life leaving only a note?

God! It's so fucking annoying how I still get to remember all this bullshit, I want to forget so fucking bad, it hurts.

I fall back onto the bed thinking about how my mother expects me to just forget about all those lost years, and just accept her back like it never happened.

Even after he died she never came back. Just stayed away and forgot she had a son.

My thoughts are cut off when Imaani walks in "Hey babe, Sarah says hi." She takes a seat on the bed beside me, her eyes still on her phone "I tried calling William but he's been so busy lately, I just hope he's okay" She turns to me "Hey? What's wrong?"

I turn my head to look at her "Who the fuck is William?"

"What?" Imaani gave a chortle "I just asked what's wrong with you. You didn't hear that part?"

I sit up and face her "chose to ignore it. So?" I prompted

"So what?" She asked

I pinched my forehead and sighed loudly "I hate repeating myself, love"

"William's my friend and colleague.... or former colleague, rather."

"So why are we calling him?"

"We? She laughs at me "You're crazy. He's currently out of the States, he's travelling the world along with other people, helping" she states proudly with a smile "So tell me what's wrong with you?"

"It's nothing I was just thinking about Giselle" I lay down on my side on the bed

She lies on her side with me "What about her?"

"Just trying to understand why she'd leave, and not come back. Even after he died."

She held my hand "Babe, you're going to have to tell me about Christopher you know"

My body tenses at his name "I know."

She moves closer to me before kissing my cheek and lying down. "Don't worry too much about your mum, you'll get to find out why she left one day"

I open my mouth to answer but I'm cut off by the sound of the doorbell

"Oh, my God! She's here" I chuckle at her reaction

She's been anxious since yesterday when Giselle asked if we could all have dinner.

I rub her back slowly "We're the only ones I know that stay in bed when expecting visitors even after dressing up" She laughs along with me and I'm glad I can distract her from the anxiety she's having.

"Thank you." She smiles at me. Inhaling and exhaling deeply "Let's go meet your mum"

I grab her phone and purse before we make our way to get to the door.

I open the door for Giselle "Hey son, how are you?" She smiles at me, her eyes look kind of watery

"Hi, I'm fine" I step aside so she could walk in.

"Thank you" She walks in and makes her way towards Imaani

"Hello, Imaani it's nice to see you again" She greets and pulls Imaani in for a hug.

She's shocked by the action but she just smiles at me.

"Same here Mrs Smith. Here let me help you with your coat" Imaani offers.

"Thank you. Please can you direct me to the restroom?" Imaani points her in the right direction and she walks off leaving both of us alone

I'm about to make my way towards where she's standing when I hear the doorbell.

"Are you expecting anyone else?" The same thing I'm wondering

"Not at all" I make my way to the door and open it only to see Veronica on the other side.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Veronica?" Imaani called out as shocked as I am

"Your mum invited me," she pauses and looks behind me "Oh there she is... hi Giselle" she waves

"Ohh hi, Veronica. She turns to face Imaani and I "Imaani, I'm so sorry I forgot to mention I invited her for dinner. Hope that's cool. Besides I noticed you guys already knew each other"

"I don't think you're in the right-" Imaani cut me off

"Sure" she smiles at me and rubs my back slowly "There's enough food for all"

"Oh wonderful" Giselle claps happily and makes her way to the dining room

Imaani turns to the opened door to face Veronica "Please, come in"

"Thank you Imaani" She smiles and follows after Giselle.

"I'll send them home. She had no right to do that"

She places her hands on my cheeks "Hey it's okay, they're already here, we might as well get this dinner started. Besides I won't want all that food to waste"

"I still want them to leave, my evening is already ruined"

"I know baby, I'm sorry. Just a few hours and they're gone, please?"

"Fuck it, fine. But no dessert, they can eat sand for all I care"

She smacks my arm "Hey be nice!"

I chuckle and grab her waist before kissing her "Yes ma'am"

"Good. Now let's go and get this dinner started" Imaani says with a smile and pulls me with her.