Three Is A Crowd

by Chenell Parker

  “This is beautiful. Whoever decorated did a great job,” Dena said as she looked around in admiration.

  “Yeah, it is nice,” Jacob said as he too looked around the room.

  “Do you want something to drink baby?” Memphis asked as he looked at Jersi.

  “Yeah, see if they have any kind of white wine,” Jersi replied.

  Dray had a female companion with him, so he followed Memphis to the open bar to grab her some wine too. Dena was fine and she declined their offer.

  “I guess Tabby couldn’t make it and I’m not mad,” Jersi said to her parents.

  “That makes two of us,” Jacob replied.

  “I hope my auntie can make it though,” Jersi said.

  A few minutes later, Jersi realized that she had spoken too soon. She spotted her aunt Toni walking through the door with Tabby’s bad body ass following behind her. Jersi prayed hard with her whole heart that she wasn’t built like Tabby when she got older. She was thankful that her father had strong genes and she didn’t look anything like her. Tabby looked like she had a basketball under her dress with her perfectly round beer belly. Her legs were small and muscular and her calves looked like they belonged on a man. She had on a short sequined dress that made her look like a disco ball. Her wig was twisted and her eyebrows looked like thick black caterpillars had crawled onto her face. A hot mess was a compliment compared to how she looked. Toni looked nice in a simple black dress with some black heels. She and Tabby were like night and day and that’s why Jersi loved her auntie so much. They came up to the table right as Memphis and Dray came back with the drinks. Jersi stood up to greet them and introduce them to Memphis.

  “Hey auntie. This is my boyfriend Memphis. Baby, this is my aunt Toni and Tabby-”

  “Her biological mother,” Tabby interrupted loudly as she extended her hand.

  Jersi frowned as Dena shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Jacob grabbed his wife’s hand and kissed it, making her relax and smile. He wanted to curse Tabby out but not more than Jersi did. His daughter was livid and it was hard for her to hide it.

  “Hi sweetheart, it’s nice to meet you,” Toni smiled before giving Memphis a friendly hug. She greeted Jacob and Dena as well as Dray and his date before taking her seat. Jersi’s leg bounced in anger once she took her seat again and Memphis put his hand on it to comfort her..

  “Relax baby. It’s not like I didn’t already know,” Memphis whispered.

  “That’s not the point Memphis. She got me fucked up trying to play my mama like that. She gon’ see me when this is over with,” Jersi fumed.

  “Let it go Jersi,” Memphis begged.

  “I love you baby but hell no. She got me fucked up for real,” Jersi fumed.

  Memphis knew that there was no reasoning with her when she got like that. He decided to leave it alone and let her handle it however she saw fit. About twenty minutes later, the dinner got started and everyone was eating and having a good time. Memphis recorded the entire time that Jersi was given her plaque for becoming a senior accountant and the keys to her new office. She said a few words and made sure to acknowledge him and her family. Once it was over, she stood around talking to some of her co-workers and supervisors.

  “Shit, where is the bathroom? That cheap ass champagne is running right through me,” Tabby said as she danced like she was pushed.

  “Come on, I’ll show you,” Jersi offered as she handed Memphis the items that were in her hands.

  He laughed because he already knew what Jersi was on. She wanted to get Tabby alone and the opportunity presented itself. Jersi walked Tabby to the bathroom and waited outside while she went into one of the stalls. She tapped her foot on the tiled floor, impatiently waiting for her to handle her business.

  “I was so proud when they were talking about all of your accomplishments out there. All your good grades in high school and college and stuff,” Tabby said when she exited the stall and went to the sink.

  “Thanks,” Jersi replied. “But I think you owe my mother an apology.”

  “Excuse me? I am your mother,” Tabby replied in her own defense.

  “No, you gave birth to me but Dena is my mother. There’s a big difference,” Jersi corrected.

  “Dena is your daddy’s wife and nothing more. Besides, I didn’t even do shit to apologize for,” Tabby said.

  “Memphis already knows who you are. There was no point in you yelling out that you’re my biological mother. From the day I came home from the hospital until now, Dena was the one who was there. All those good things that you heard them saying about me just now was a result of how she raised me. Being a mother means more than just pushing a baby out. Your job as my mother stopped the day you had me and hers had just begun. The woman that I am today is because of her and you or nobody else will discredit her for that,” Jersi ranted.

  “I wasn’t trying to discredit her but my feelings matter too,” Tabby replied.

  “To who?” Jersi asked. Tabby’s feelings damn sure didn’t matter to her and she wasn’t about to pretend like they did.

  “You’re always introducing me as Tabby like I’m nobody special,” Tabby sniffled as she tried to produce some sympathy tears.

  “I introduce you how I see fit. I only know you as Tabby and you have yourself to thank for that,” Jersi replied as she walked out of the bathroom and rejoined her family in the lobby.

  Tabby came out right after her looking sad and pathetic. She rushed out of the building without even looking back or saying goodbye. Jersi didn’t give a damn about her being upset. Tabby was one less person that she had to worry about and she wouldn’t be missed. Jersi hugged her auntie and the rest of her family before she and Memphis left and got into his truck. He didn’t pull off right away but Jersi was in no hurry.

  “You good?” he asked while looking over at her.

  “Better than ever,” Jersi replied with a smile.

  “Are you happy Jersi?” Memphis asked her out of the blue.

  “Yes baby. I’m very happy. Are you?” Jersi countered.

  “Yeah but you can make me happier,” he replied while reaching into the middle console and producing a black velvet box.

  “Seriously!” Jersi screeched as tears formed in her eyes.

  She gasped when he opened the box to reveal a huge halo diamond engagement ring. She and Memphis had talked about marriage a few times before but she never dreamed that it would happen so soon. He said that he wanted to start a family with her and he wasn’t lying.

  “I’m dead serious and I don’t want to wait. A month without you was long enough. I want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up to you every morning. I want my kids to call you mama and I want to make you happy for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me baby?” Memphis asked.

  “Hell yeah I’ll marry you!” Jersi yelled as she jumped into his lap. She kissed Memphis all over his face and neck, letting him know just how happy she really was.

  “I’m serious Jersi. I really don’t want to wait. Vance’s father-in-law is a pastor and he can do it next week. I already asked him,” Memphis said.

  “Why so soon?” Jersi lifted her head up to ask.

  “Why wait? We can do something big later but I want us to be married now. I’m not forcing you though baby. If you’re really not ready then I’ll understand,” Memphis noted.

  “I’m ready but I’m sure my mother won’t be,” Jersi said.

  “I love and respect your mother but that’s not her decision to make. If we both agree to do it now, then everybody else needs to fall back. I’m sure my mama is gonna fake a heart attack but I’m ready for that too,” Memphis replied making her laugh.

  “Okay boo, next week it is,” Jersi said as she climbed back into her seat.

  “Talk to me Jersi. I don’t want you to feel pressured. It’s not just about what I want. We’re in this together baby,” Memphis replied.

  “It’s no pressure Memphis. I would have been on board if you wanted to do it today,” J
ersi assured him with a kiss on the lips.

  “Can you take some time off from work? I know you just got a promotion so it’s cool if you can’t,” Memphis commented.

  “That doesn’t matter. I have lots of vacation time to use whenever I want to. What do you have in mind?” Jersi asked as he finally pulled away from her office building.

  “A two week honeymoon to wherever you want to go,” he replied.

  “Dubai,” Jersi said.

  “Dubai it is,” Memphis said making her smile.

  He was nervous about proposing to her, especially since they had just gotten back together. After seeing how he felt without her, Memphis knew that he was making the right decision. He talked to his brothers about it and they both agreed that Jersi was the one. Memphis hadn’t been genuinely happy in a long time before she came along. He spoke to Vance’s father-in-law and he agreed to marry them whenever they were ready. Memphis knew that his mother was going to die but that was all on her. Jersi wasn’t going anywhere and she needed to understand that. Memphis was ready for her to stop taking her pills and pump some babies in her. Valerie could continue to be stubborn if she wanted to. It would be her missing out on time with her grandkids because his mind was made up.

  “O h baby, it’s beautiful! I’m so happy!” Dena yelled as she rocked Jersi back and forth.

  “Congrats baby girl. Memphis is a great catch,” her father said with a smile.

  “He sure is and I can tell that he really loves you. The look in his eyes says a lot,” Dena replied as she continued to stare at the ring on her daughter’s finger.

  “I got whatever you need sweetheart. Money is not an issue when it comes to my only daughter getting married,” Jacob said.

  “That’s the one part of it all that y’all might not like,” Jersi countered nervously.

  She dreaded having to tell her parents that Memphis didn’t want to wait. He was adamant about them getting married now but Jersi didn’t know why. She really didn’t care and she couldn’t wait to become his wife.

  “What’s wrong baby?” Dena asked her.

  “Memphis wants us to get married next week. We’re going to get the license Monday. He already has a pastor who agreed to marry us,” Jersi noted.

  “Why so soon? That won’t give us any time to plan,” Dena said.

  “I know but he said that we could do something bigger at a later date,” Jersi replied.

  “Oh baby, no. I want to help you pick out a dress and do cake tastings and stuff. I’ve dreamed about this moment since you were a baby. We need at least two or three months. That’s still short notice but we can make it happen,” Dena maintained.

  “What’s the rush Jersi? Are you pregnant?” her father asked.

  “No, I’m not pregnant,” Jersi said as she laughed at the horrified expression on her mother’s face.

  “You almost scared me half to death,” Dena said as she held her chest.

  “We are planning to start a family as soon as we’re married though,” Jersi pointed out.

  “You can have as many babies as you want once you’re married. But we need more time Jersi. I’m sure your father wants to walk you down the aisle and stuff,” Dena said.

  “Of course I do. She’s my only girl,” Jacob pointed out.

  “Maybe we can talk to Memphis and try to reason with him,” Dena said.

  “No, I’ll talk to him when I get home,” Jersi replied.

  “Speaking of homes, what do you plan to do with your condo?” her father asked

  “I don’t know. Maybe Dray can stay there until he finds him another house,” Jersi replied.

  “That’s fine too but I don’t think you should sell it. That can bring in some nice income if you rent it out,” Jacob noted.

  “Yeah, that’s what Memphis said too,” Jersi replied.

  “Well, go talk to him and let me know what he says. I know the perfect outdoor venue to have the ceremony. They have a glass covering over the pool for the bride and groom to stand on. It’s amazing,” Dena gushed excitedly.

  “Okay ma, I’ll call you in a few,” Jersi said as her mother walked her to the door.

  She called and told Dray, Ariel, Cat and her aunt Toni the good news about her engagement. She had to tell her parents first but everybody was happy for her. When Jersi pulled up to the house, she saw a furniture truck in the driveway. She had ordered a lot of stuff for the house and she couldn’t wait for it to get done. When she walked up the stairs, Memphis was opening the door to let the two delivery men out. One of them was staring at Jersi and he didn’t even try to hide it.

  “The fuck is you looking so hard for,” Memphis snapped, making the man rush down the stairs to his truck.

  “Really Memphis?” Jersi laughed as she kissed him and entered the house.

  “Yes, really. Nigga see me standing here and didn’t even try to play it off,” he frowned.

  Jersi went straight down the hall to see how the bedroom sets looked in the rooms. Memphis already had a brand new set and she had three more rooms to go. She wasn’t going to overwhelm herself though. Once the furniture came for the dining and sitting rooms, she was going to complete that before she started on another project.

  “It looks good. Do you like it?” Jersi asked when she saw one of the sets.

  “Yeah, it’s nice,” Memphis said as he hugged her from behind.

  He and Jersi talked about all that she wanted to do to the house but he really didn’t care. He survived with just a sofa and tv for years and he was good with that. Once they were done talking about decorations, he followed Jersi to the kitchen while she fixed them something to eat.

  “I have to tell you something,” Jersi blurted out.

  “Baby, no. I hate when you start a conversation off like that. The last time you did that I found out that my boy was gay. I can’t take nothing else right now,” Memphis frowned as she laughed.

  “It’s nothing like that Memphis. My parents were happy about us getting engaged,” Jersi said.

  “But?” Memphis asked, encouraging her to go on.

  “They want us to wait for at least two or three months. My mother wants to help me pick out a dress and my father is complaining about not walking me down the aisle,” Jersi noted.

  “Okay baby but how do you feel?” Memphis asked her.

  “I was good with doing it next week but I have to consider their feelings too,” Jersi noted.

  “And that’s all fine and good, but, at the end of the day, the decision is ours to make,” Memphis said.

  “I agree but we need to compromise some kind of way,” Jersi sighed.

  “They basically want the wedding ceremony but I want the commitment. We’re living under the same roof and I’m ready to make it right. We can get married next week and you and your mother can still plan a big wedding. I’m good either way,” Memphis shrugged.

  “Are you sure baby? I don’t want you to feel like I got with my parents and changed my mind,” Jersi said.

  “That’s exactly what you did but it’s cool,” he replied making her feel bad.

  “I’m sorry baby. Listen, we’ll do it the way you just said. We can get married next week and do the big ceremony later. Let me call and tell them now,” Jersi said as she grabbed her phone.

  Thankfully, her parents were good with their decision. Dena wanted to throw them a dinner at her house afterwards and they agreed to that. They were just happy that they could have the big wedding that they always wanted Jersi to have. She had a wedding planner that she wanted to use and she called her ass soon a she and Jersi hung up. Dena also called her travel agent and got right to work on their honeymoon trip to Dubai. Jersi and Memphis planned to get their license on Monday and get married that Saturday. Memphis called his mother to tell her his good news but she hung up on him. He was cool with that but she wasn’t changing his mind.

  Three weeks later, Memphis retuned to work as a married man. He and Jersi stuck to their original plan and got married when they
planned to. The travel agent couldn’t book their trip until a week later, so they spent a few days in Miami until they left for Dubai.

  “What are you doing here Mr. newlywed? I thought you were coming back tomorrow,” Erin smiled as she came from behind the counter to hug him.

  He and Jersi had come back home the night before and went straight to bed. She was at home unpacking and washing the clothes that they traveled with. They were both due back to work the following day and they were supposed to be relaxing.