Never Too Soon

by Tamika Christy

  Sophie sighed. “You can be really unpleasant sometimes, you know that, Catie?” She frowned for a moment and turned to Anaya. “I don’t agree with Catie’s delivery because it stifles communication and feels like an attack, not to mention it brings to memory an awful time in history. However, I agree with her underlying message. Ava has been living off you since she got married. Why can’t she get a full-time job like everyone else?”

  Anaya shrugged. “She needs to be home with the boys during the day.”

  “So does every other mom in America, but unfortunately things don’t work that way for everyone. Ava needs a job, and so does Joe. I have a couple of self-interest workbooks I can share with her. I also know a life coach I can put her in touch with.”

  Catie rolled her eyes. “I don’t think Ava needs a questionnaire; she needs to get online and start looking for a job. And where is Joe anyway? He doesn’t have a job, so he should be home with all of his seeds.” Catie sipped her tea.

  “Enough.” Anaya was eager to change the subject. She didn’t agree with the way Ava managed her life, but she didn’t like to see Ava’s feelings hurt. “What’s going on with you, Catie?”

  “Hmph, that’s a conversation for another day. We’ll be here until next week if I start talking about what’s going on with me.”

  “Try us,” Anaya said, biting into a slice of cantaloupe. They hadn’t been together since Roscoe’s party, and they probably hadn’t shared the full details about their lives in their group texts. She certainly hadn’t.

  “Well, I’m growing wider by the day, trying to run an empire from home, opening a second store, and living with a man who doesn’t appreciate my ambition or my swag. So I’d say, same old.”

  “Aw, chica. That’s a lot,” Sophie cooed.

  “Yeah, and the worst part is that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wear Victoria Beckham again. You know she has those slim cuts in her line.” She sighed. “And my hips will be doomed after this baby. But I digress. Anaya, you know that you are welcome to stay with Antoine and me for a few days if you ever need to get away from Romper Room. Having you over will give me somebody to talk to since Antoine and I hardly speak.”

  Catie’s casual delivery didn’t throw Anaya off. She knew it was serious. “What’s going on with you two, Catie? I thought something was off at Daddy’s party. You two hardly spoke that night.”

  “Yeah, and you guys are usually all over each other,” Sophie added.

  “Well, those days are gone. I know I’m not perfect and I can be a little challenging sometimes—”

  “A little?” Sophie broke in.

  “Okay, maybe more than a little. Whatever, Sophia. The point is, I don’t have the energy like I used to. I’m getting tired, guys. And the more I try to improve, the farther apart we become. I will only say this once, but . . . I have some issues to work out and growth is hard.”

  Ava walked back into the room, interrupting Catie’s moment. “The best thing you can do is pray and ask God to change you,” she said, sitting down.

  “I said I have issues to work out. I don’t need to change.”

  “Sure you do.” Ava said matter-of factly. “We all do. That’s how you make a relationship work. If you stay the same, you won’t grow individually which means you can’t grow together. It’s simple.”

  Sophie snapped her fingers. “Yes!”

  “Oh wow, now I got these two teamed up against me.” Catie sighed. “There’s no hope.”

  Anaya laughed. “It’s a tough team to argue against.”

  “Yeah. Joel Osteen and Julie Gottman. I’m in trouble.”

  Joe walked into the kitchen.

  “Babe!” Ava jumped up and hugged him. He spun her in a circle, and beamed at the ladies.

  “Aw, all my favorite sisters! Chitty chitty bang bang!” He began to lift Catie in one of his bear hugs, but seemed to think better of it and settled on a normal hug.

  That’s a first, Anaya thought, trying not to laugh at Catie’s horrified expression.

  “It is good to see you,” Joe gushed.

  “Yes, yes, you too.” Catie’s voice was muffled in Joe’s massive chest. He’s dopey but it’s hard to be mad at him.

  “How’s the baby?”

  Catie mumbled a response.

  “What?” Joe asked.

  “Let me go,” she said, breaking away. “You are crushing my baby and me. What do you do, lift trucks as weights?”

  Joe laughed heartily. He was big and pleasant and clueless. “You are funny, Catie.”

  “Babe, what are you doing here?” Ava asked.

  “I was at work and I knew your dad was taking the boys for the morning. I figured we could steal a couple of hours for ourselves. I feel bad about breaking up the sister brunch though.” He gestured toward the table.

  “No, it’s fine. I think Ny was just letting me crash anyway. Where do you want to go?” Ava asked excitedly.

  “That’s a surprise.” He put a finger on her nose and Catie made a fake gagging sound.

  “Well ladies, that’s my cue. This has been fun, let’s do it again,” Ava said as she followed Joe out of the kitchen.

  “Yeah, it was fun,” Sophie waved.

  “Bye,” Catie called.

  As soon as the front door closed, Catie leaned toward Anaya. “I don’t trust him, Ny. He is up to no good.”

  Anaya raised an eyebrow. “Come on, Catie. He doesn’t have his priorities in order, that’s for sure. But he loves Ava and the boys. He just needs to be a little more ambitious.”

  “That’s quite the understatement. That John Cena double needs a job and he needs to be home with his family. There is all kinds of stuff he can do. Pull up trees from the roots, or act as a stunt double—hell, he can find a job.”

  “It’s not my business, Catie, and it’s not yours either.”

  “Do you think it’s because he’s slow?”

  “Slow? What do you mean?”

  “Come on, Ny. We all know Joe is on the spectrum. Always in a good mood. No real facial expressions. Doesn’t laugh at jokes. And why doesn’t he use contractions? Talking to him is like having a conversation with Worf from Star Trek.”

  “Joe is not slow, Catie! What’s wrong with you today? He just has a different sense of humor, and where is the rule that people have to use contractions?”

  “It’s in the behave-like-a-normal-person rule book,” Catie said matter-of-factly. “I love Ava and the boys just as much as you do, and I want her and her marriage to succeed. But Ny, that slow brawn spawn is up to no good. Mark my words.”

  Sophie chimed in. “I don’t know if he’s slow, but he’s definitely a little sus, and it does sometimes take him like five minutes to laugh at a joke.”

  “And chitty chitty bang bang?” Catie hunched her shoulders. “Like, who even says that?”

  “You guys are trippin’.” Anaya was over the conversation. Joe had his faults, but he wasn’t mentally challenged. Was he?

  “I’m tired.” Catie yawned.

  “Yeah, judging folks can take a lot out of you,” Sophie said as she filled up the teapot with hot water. “Probably should take a break from that.”

  “Speaking of judging, how’s it going with the new boo, Sophia?”

  Sophie rested the back of her head on her neck. “It’s not.”

  “What? Already?” Catie declared. “But I thought he was the one?”

  “I don’t know,” Sophie whined. “I thought he was too. We were chillin’. Hanging out. Making plans. And now he’s always busy and doesn’t return my calls.”

  “Dang, that’s kinda soon to get ghosted, Soph,” Anaya said.

  “I know, right?”

  “He’s got another woman,” Catie said decidedly.

  “Don’t say that,” Anaya warned.

  “Then where the hell is he?”

  “He says he’s helping his aunt and he’s busy with work,” Sophie said, pouting. She clearly wasn’t buying Jabari’s excuses, and Anaya
didn’t blame her. But there was pain in Sophie’s eyes, and Anaya didn’t want to push her.

  “I have an idea. What are you guys doing tonight?” Anaya asked, changing the subject.

  “I’m having dinner with my mom,” Sophie said. Anaya could see nervousness and excitement warring on her friend’s face.

  “That’s awesome,” Anaya said, squeezing her hand. “Good for you.”

  “I don’t have plans,” Catie said. “What’s up?”

  “Do you and Antoine wanna go to dinner with Carl and me?”

  “Sure.”

  Anaya bit her lip and then added in a rush, “And Faven and Darren and the rest of Carl’s friends.”

  Catie shot her an are-you-kidding-me look. “Nope.”

  “Come on,” Anaya pleaded.

  “No. Why do you hang out with those people, Anaya?”

  “They’re Carl’s friends. They aren’t that bad.”

  “Please. Faven is about as interesting as a phone charger. I have no desire to be around her or her alcoholic husband, ugly kids, and Stepford wife friends that follow her every move.”

  “They don’t follow her every move,” Anaya was defensive again.

  “Wait. Did you call her kids ugly?” Sophie asked.

  “Yes, I did. They look like Martians.”

  “Come on, Catie, just come to dinner,” Anaya wheedled.

  “No.” Catie yawned. “I’d rather take a nap. Or lick a window. Anything but hang out with her.”

  “You can’t call people’s kids ugly.” Sophie’s comment fell on deaf ears.

  “Fine,” Anaya said. “You don’t have to go.”

  “What I will do is help you clean up this mess before Uncle Roscoe comes back with the boys.”

  Anaya sighed. “I’ll take that.”

  After they had tidied the kitchen and put the extra food away, Anaya walked Catie and Sophie to the front door, stepping over toys and shoes along the way. Anaya kicked a stuffed animal as hard as she could.

  “You need a vacation,” Catie said, laughing.

  “You’re probably right.” Anaya hugged each of them. “Love you guys.”

  The two girls waved as they walked out.

  SEVENTEEN

  Anaya put in her earphones to drown out the sound of the boys’ screaming. She picked out two dresses and opted for Carl’s favorite. She piled her hair at the top of her head and pasted the baby hairs down. Work had been keeping her and Carl apart more than either of them liked. Since Roscoe’s party, she hadn’t spent any real time with him besides the occasional lunch date and she was going to make up for it tonight. After the party, she planned to spend the night at his place, and there would be no sleeping.

  She carried her shoes in her hand and closed her bedroom door behind her. The new status quo at home had taught her not to put on her heels until she had navigated the toy minefield outside of her room and office. From the top of the stairs, the house looked like a garage sale. Anaya spotted a new ugly lamp near the base of the stairs, next to a half-dead plant. More crap. And where is the money to buy it coming from?

  Anaya stepped over a Tonka Truck, a study Bible, and a pair of ankle weights as she descended the stairs. Hezekiah, crying uncontrollably, stood in a corner of the living room wearing pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt with a greenish stain near the collar. A crusty milk mustache blended with the snot pouring from his nose. He wore only one sock.

  Anaya had learned that crying didn’t necessarily mean Hezekiah was in distress, but since Ava was nowhere in sight, she snagged a tissue from the table in the front hall and walked over to him.

  “Honey, why are you crying?” She kneeled in front of him and swiped at his messy nose.

  “Him was wooking at me,” Hezekiah bemoaned, rubbing his eyes, which meant he needed a nap. He smelled like he also needed a bath. Him was Jeremiah, and apparently looking at Hezekiah was now enough to bring him to tears.

  “Well, let me tell you something.” She rubbed his back gently. “People will always look at you because that’s the way life works. And if you are going to cry every time someone looks at you, people will start to tease you.”

  He stopped rubbing his eyes and stared at her. “But, but, if someone wooks at me, do they wook at others too?”

  “Of course. Now remember, crying isn’t the solution, but a haircut might be.” She ran a hand across his ringlets and kissed him on the cheek. “Run along.”

  He pounced on a nearby dinosaur toy and started growling. She had this auntie thing in the bag. She walked into the kitchen where Ava stirred a pot filled with a revolting green concoction. Please don’t let the smell linger in my hair. Joshua sat in a highchair next to her, receiving an occasional spoonful of the glop. Jeremiah ran by, halted next to his mother with his mouth open, and was given a big spoonful of the stuff himself. Then he ran off.

  Anaya wanted to sit him down in a chair with a plate and his own utensils, but Ava started talking before Anaya could speak her mind.

  “Wow, you look gorgeous,” Ava said approvingly. Anaya begrudgingly noticed that Ava did as well, but she didn’t return the compliment. She was one incident away from calling CPS.

  “Ava, Hezekiah needs a haircut. He looks like a baby Bruno Mars. And why aren’t they sitting at the table eating?”

  “Stop fussing so much. You look much too pretty to be so catty right now. Now where are you going? Not with that man, I hope.” Ava hissed the last sentence as if she were trading federal secrets.

  Anaya took a deep breath and then wished she hadn’t. Her tongue felt coated with the smell of Ava’s dinner. “I’m going to a party with Carl. Not that it’s any of your business. What’s up with the boys?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Are you kidding me right now? They are still in pajamas at 5 p.m., haven’t been bathed in Lord knows how long, and are running around like hooligans while eating dinner. Anaya decided to keep it simple. “Why aren’t they eating at the table?”

  “Those boys won’t sit still for a minute.” Ava giggled and fed another bite to Joshua. “They just have a lot of energy and need to run it off. And I’m too tired to chase them. This baby is taking a lot of my energy—that’s how I know it’s a girl.”

  Anaya frowned. “They can run it off after dinner. Right now, they need to sit at the table and eat like civilized children.”

  Ava stopped feeding Joshua and smiled at Anaya. “I appreciate you, sister. We all know it takes a village, but your experience with kids is limited to being an aunt. You are a professional, not a mom. I’m not trying to be rude, but you don’t have children, and you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  For someone who wasn’t trying to be rude, it was a pretty rude thing to say.

  “I don’t have to have children of my own to know that kids need to sit down and eat instead of running in and out to take bites of whatever that is.” Anaya pointed to the food. “They need discipline, Ava. I don’t have to have kids to know that.”

  “Well good for you. And, yes, I know children need discipline. The Bible says, ‘Do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.’”

  “The Bible also says that a child left to himself will bring shame to his mother!”

  Ava looked like she had been slapped. “Ny!”

  “What, Ava? The boys are running all over the place and all over you, you are having another baby, Joe is never here and still hasn’t found a better job, and this is not your house.” There, she said it. She felt awful, but she said it.

  Ava crossed her arms. “Is that what this is about? Us living here? Do you think that gives you the right to speak ill of my husband? My husband is a man with vision, and the Bible says, ‘Without vision, the people shall perish.’”

  Anaya didn’t understand the context and didn’t bother to ask. When Ava was on her spiritual high horse, only John the Baptist could bring her down. All Anaya wanted was for Ava to acknowledge that she had u
ngraciously taken over the house. Surely Ava knew how her family’s moving in had affected Anaya’s and Roscoe’s lives, yet instead of being humble and grateful, Ava acted as if she were entitled to it all.

  Hezekiah and Jeremiah ran into the kitchen, and Anaya grabbed both of them by the arms and firmly sat them down at the table.

  “Eat your dinner. After you finish eating you can go and play. Do not get up until you finish. Do you understand?” Anaya commanded. She got two bowls from the cupboards, ladled green goop into them, and set them down forcefully in front of the wide-eyed boys. Then she got two spoons and stuck them into each bowl.

  Jeremiah’s forehead furrowed. “I want to play now!”

  “Well, you can’t play now. You have to eat. Once you finish, you can play. Understand?”

  Jeremiah nodded, and Hezekiah followed suit. They started eating.

  “See?” she said to Ava, who never looked up from feeding Joshua. “Discipline.”

  “That’s great,” Ava chimed. “Can you babysit for me tomorrow? The women’s auxiliary is having brunch, and I’d like to go. Just for a few hours. Please? I mean, since you know so much about kids.”

  Smart ass. “I’ll think about it. I have to check my calendar.”

  “Thank you.”

  Roscoe walked in wearing jeans and a t-shirt. “Well now, it looks like most of the gang is here.” He rubbed the boys’ heads and kissed little Joshua’s forehead. Anaya knew she looked like she had just eaten a lemon, and Ava had her chin lifted in that holier-than-thou stance that Anaya found so infuriating.

  “Hey, Daddy.” Anaya tried to lighten her mood in front of Roscoe.

  “Hey, Daddy. Would you like something to eat?”

  “No, I don’t want anything, Ava. I’m going to go out and grab a bite in a minute.” Anaya knew Roscoe ate out to avoid Ava’s cooking. He usually cooked at home before the move-in, but Anaya suspected that he couldn’t stomach the smell of the kitchen any more.

  “If you change your mind, there is plenty left.” Ava kissed Roscoe on the cheek, then turned to her boys, who had turned the table and floor into a green Jackson Pollock painting. “Come on, boys. Time to get ready for bed.”