“You don’t. If your daughters want you in their lives, fine, but stay clear from me. I’ve got other plans.” Adeline turned with a scowl. “Close the door, London.”
“I’ll never stop trying,” Clifford said.
Adeline rolled her eyes and kept walking just as the door clicked again. London glanced out of the window pane and watched Clifford struggle with whether to leave or stay as he paced. She felt sorry for him. Since he’d been coming around, Clifford seemed like a sincere person, but it was not her place to decide if he stayed or went. London strolled up to Adeline just as she made it back to the couch.
“Is there anything I can do?” London said at the scowl on Adeline’s face.
“Call my manicurist and see how long it will be before she gets here,” Adeline half-fussed. “If she takes too long, I’ll have my son-in-law fire her and get me another.”
Adeline mumbled something London couldn’t comprehend, and London opted to grab the phone and do as Adeline had asked. When the doorbell rang again, Adeline cocked her head to the side with an upturned frown.
“This man will never leave me alone.”
At the same time, the phone rang. London looked from the phone to the front door. “I’ll get the phone,” Adeline said to London. “You get the door.”
Adeline reached for the phone and answered. “Rose residence,” she said sweetly.
“Mom, is that how you’re answering the phone?” Claudia said.
“Oh,” Adeline said, “I was hoping you were someone else.”
“Like who?”
“Your father-in-law who else?”
Claudia groaned. “Mom, please stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Why would he be calling you? Do you guys have a date or something I don’t know about?”
“Not yet. But he did call to check on me the other day. So, it’s not unbelievable that he would do it again. You make it sound like I’m the last person he would call.”
“No, I don’t. I just want to know what’s going on, and I told you I don’t want you to get your hopes up about Christopher. I’m sure his call the other day was because you fell again, and being the gentleman he was, he decided to check on you.”
“Oh, so you’re saying it couldn’t be because he’s romantically interested? That’s only for you young folks I guess.”
Claudia became quiet. She’d stepped right into that, and she wouldn’t argue with her mother.
An obnoxious voice echoed down the hallway, causing Adeline to lose focus of her conversation with Claudia.
“Where is my daughter? I know she’s with Claudia since that seems to be where she is anytime she’s free from that stingy husband of hers,” Martha Jean gripped. “Can’t ever get any time with my girl.”
Adeline turned her nose up again and rose from the couch with the phone in one hand as she reached for her cane with the other. When Martha Jean bent the corner and saw Adeline, she stopped and folded her arms, leaning into her hips.
“Gone sit back down, old woman, I didn’t come here for you.”
That made Adeline stand ramrod straight, and her legs trembled as she fought to hold her own without the assistance of the cane. London moved past Martha Jean in a sprint to get to Adeline before she could hit the ground.
“What is she doing in my house?” Adeline shrieked just as London made it to her side.
“Your house?” Martha Jean laughed. “This is not your house. You’re just visiting whether you want to believe it or not.” Martha Jean laughed some more.
“Get out!” Adeline said.
“Mom,” Claudia yelled through the phone.
“Get out, or I’ll beat your ass with this cane,” Adeline said. “Try me, old heffa. I’ve got more bite than my bark!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Martha Jean said. “How are you going to do that when you can’t even stand on them rocks you call feet?”
Adeline pushed London to the side and went for a piece of fruit sitting in a bowl on the living room table. Adeline’s disability didn’t stop her from throwing an apple at Martha Jean, and Martha Jean ducked just as the flying fruit glided toward her.
“Get out!” Adeline shouted.
“Oh my God,” London yelled. She didn’t know whether to restrain Adeline or stand out of her way.
With a sharp lunge to her feet, Martha Jean picked up the apple and tossed it back at Adeline, hitting the senior woman in her chest.
“Aaaah!” Adeline screeched. “My heart, she’s trying to kill me! Call the police!”
Martha Jean stuck out her lip and crossed her arms. “You’re killing yourself trying to come after me!” she shouted. “You saw it, London. She threw that apple at me first!”
Adeline gripped her chest and stumbled backwards as if she was going to pass out. With her eyes wide and her mouth open, Adeline croaked out, “Oh help me, Lord! Help me, Jesus!”
Terrified, London grabbed the phone from Adeline’s hand to call an ambulance.
Seeing Adeline stumbling backward, Martha Jean dropped her arms and frowned. She had misjudged the frailness of the old woman.
“Shit,” she cursed, running over to London to help with Adeline.
“Aaaah!” Adeline said, holding her chest as her eyes widened with horror.
Noticing the phone still had an open line, London put the receiver to her ear. “Hello?!”
“London! Oh, thank God,” Claudia shouted. “What is going on over there!?”
Just as the question left Claudia’s mouth, Martha Jean closed in on Adeline.
“Sit down before you hurt yourself!” Martha Jean reached out to help Adeline sit when Adeline reached over, grabbed her cane, and struck Martha Jean on top of her head.
“Owww!” Martha Jean howled.
“Oh my God!” London screeched.
Adeline pulled back and hit Martha Jean again, this time across her shoulder.
“Owwwwww!”
Martha Jean went down, one knee behind the other. She howled as pain ricocheted through her shoulder blade and coursed down her back.
“What is going on, damn it?” Claudia shouted.
“Your mother and Martha Jean are fighting! I’ve got to go!” London disconnected the line just as Adeline went to strike Martha Jean again.
“No!” London said.
“Get back, or I’ll hit you upside your head, too, girl!” Adeline yelled.
“You old buzzard!” Martha Jean screamed. With all the strength she could muster, Martha Jean lunged at Adeline, and they fell into the couch, sandwiched between a desperate London trying to keep them away from each other.
The front door opened, and heavy footsteps ran down the hallway. When Clifford cut the corner, his eyes widened, and he ran in to help London.
“Let me go!” Adeline said as Clifford wrapped her in one arm and pulled her away clawing and swinging at Martha Jean. “I’ll show you whose old, you filthy scarecrow!” Adeline screeched.
Holding on to Martha Jean, London shouted, “Please just stop it!”
But the women would hear none of it, scrambling and pushing against both Clifford and London to get to one another. Had it not been for their shared desire of the same man, Adeline and Martha Jean would’ve made the perfect friends. But as it stood now, that would be like wishing in the wind with no dandelions.
Chapter Six
Claudia pivoted on her heels with horror-stricken eyes.
“What’s is it?” Jaden said, invading her space.
“I’ve got to go.”
Claudia moved to side step him, and Jaden laid both hands on her shoulders. “Chérie,” he said, concerned golden brown eyes meeting hers. “Talk to me.”
Claudia let out a frustrating breath.
“My mother and Martha Jean are fighting at the house. I’ve got to get over there, or they’re going to kill each other.”
“Fighting at the house?” Samiyah shrieked, listening in beside them.
“Yes, come on, Samiyah.”
/> “Oh, I’m coming, too,” Desiree said.
“Baby, are you coming?” Claudia asked.
“Of course,” Jaden replied. “Let’s go.”
Together, they stood and headed for the exit.
“Do you guys need us to come?” Eden asked.
“No, you’re good,” Claudia shouted. She was in a daze, wondering what they would find when she and Jaden made it home.
Samiyah and Jonas jumped inside the backseat of Jaden’s Lamborghini as Jaden climbed into the driver’s seat with Claudia in the passenger. They shot across town in a blaze of smoke with Desiree and Julian hot on their trail.
Jonas looked down to his wife’s trembling leg. Samiyah tapped her foot nervously as she stared out the window. He placed a warm palm on the top of her thigh and caressed her there. Samiyah turned to look at him.
“You’re nervous,” he said.
“And you’re not?”
“There’s this saying about stressing over things you can’t control.”
Samiyah nodded. Jonas was right, but it didn’t stop her gut from twisting at the thought of her mother and Adeline throwing blows. Just the notion of what that could possibly look like terrified her.
Jonas’ hand traveled up her arm then across her shoulders, and he pulled Samiyah into his embrace. “Everything will be all right,” he said. His smooth voice trekked across Samiyah’s skin, and she shuddered.
Leaning into him, she responded, “I hope you’re right.”
Jonas kissed her temple, and Samiyah closed her eyes, resting against his wide chest. Jonas’ gaze went to the rearview mirror catching Jaden glancing back at him. The two brothers shared an understanding moment. They both knew that if need be, they’d have to ban their mothers-in-law from family functions. It would be a tight conversation, but the fact remained that if Adeline and Martha Jean broke out into a fight every time they were together, it would ruin things before it got started.
Jaden’s gaze left the mirror and went back to the highway. He switched gears then reached for Claudia’s trembling hand that sat in her lap.
“Calm down, chérie,” he said.
Claudia let out a deep breath and allowed her husband’s fingers to link with hers for a warm squeeze. “Somehow, I know it was my mother that started the whole thing.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” Samiyah said from the backseat.
“We’ll be there in two minutes,” Jaden said.
“That’s long enough for them to burn the house down.”
Claudia and Samiyah had said it at the same time, causing Samiyah to lift from Jonas and meet Claudia’s whimsical smirk as she turned back to look at her best friend. The ladies chuckled and returned their focus back to their husbands.
Jonas reached out to run a gentle caress under Samiyah’s chin. “I love you,” he said, taking his hands down to rub her protruding belly. “Daddy loves you, too.” Just then, movement inside pushed against Jonas’ hand. Samiyah gasped and covered her mouth.
“I’ll never get used to her doing that,” she said.
“Or him,” Jonas reminded. They had decided to have a gender reveal party instead of knowing the sex upfront. He leaned down, speaking directly to her stomach. “Daddy can’t wait to meet you, and I love you more than you’ll ever know.” He kissed Samiyah’s belly and pressed his face against its warmth.
Samiyah exhaled a deep breath, feeling more complete with her family every day. Samiyah smiled sweetly and pulled Jonas’ lips to hers for a delicious kiss. “We love you, too, baby.” They kissed again, and warm heat saturated their mouths as they indulged in a lingering, slow burning dance of their tongues.
“We’re here,” Jaden said, interrupting the enchanting melody of Samiyah and Jonas’ moment.
The four of them glanced out of the window as Jaden pulled into the circular driveway behind Clifford’s truck.
“Looks like your father’s here,” Jaden said.
Claudia clutched Jaden’s hand tighter. If her father was there, there was no telling how this situation was unfolding.
“Oh God,” Claudia droned.
They all climbed out of the car just as Julian and Desiree pulled in behind them. Desiree exited quickly, and she and Claudia locked eyes.
“Dad’s here,” Desiree said.
“I know, come on.” Claudia grabbed her hand, and they ran into the house behind their men.
As they made it down the hall, they heard Martha Jean screaming at the top of her lungs.
“You’re bat-shit crazy!” Martha Jean ducked just as a banana went flying over her head.
London ducked alongside Martha Jean to keep the flying fruit from clocking her across the face. The entering entourage halted, astonished, at the sight of Adeline fighting off Clifford, to lurch for another piece of fruit to throw. When she grabbed an orange, Jaden interceded.
“Enough!” he roared.
All in attendance turned their attention to him. Bringing his voice down an octave, Jaden planted his hands on his carved hips. “Are you telling me there’s no proper way you two could handle your disagreement?”
“She started it,” Martha Jean said. “The old hag is psychotic.”
“How about we start with discontinuing the name calling?” Jaden’s deep voice thundered.
Martha Jean clapped her lips shut with a frown.
Jonas interceded, “Are you two going to fight like this every time you see each other? Because it’s important not only to your girls but also your growing family that you don’t.”
“Mom,” Claudia approached Adeline trailed by Desiree, “why are you throwing fruit at Martha Jean?”
“I told her to get out. It’s like she came over here to bug me, and she always has something rotten to say out of those—”
“No name calling!” Jaden thundered. He meant business, and in all his thirty-four years, Jaden had never seen two senior women carry on like Adeline and Martha Jean. Adeline closed her mouth tight at Jaden’s outburst.
“I came over here looking for you,” Martha Jean said, speaking to Samiyah. Martha Jean stood as did London. “She got her panties in a bunch just because I walked through the door!”
“Tell the truth, you ol…” At the stern look on Jaden’s face, Adeline mumbled her words.
Samiyah grabbed her mother’s hands and led her out of the room.
“You’re kicking me out?” Martha Jean shouted.
“No, I need to talk to you in private, or would you rather I say what I need to in front of everyone?”
Martha Jean huffed. “Fine.”
They left the room, and everyone turned to Adeline.
“What?” She shrugged.
“Mom,” Claudia began, “you’ve got to stop doing this.”
“Why is everything always my fault? I was sitting here minding my own business, waiting for the manicurist when your father showed up. Then here she comes right behind Clifford talking down to me. Now I’m sorry, son-in-law, I love you, and I don’t mean to disrespect your house, but I’m not letting anybody talk to me any kind of way. If it makes you feel that bad, I’ll just get my things and leave.” Adeline made a move for her cane.
“Mom, you don’t have to go anywhere,” Claudia said. “You’re being melodramatic.”
“No, I’m not. Maybe I should go stay with Desiree and my other son-in-law. I’d hate to wear out my welcome. Besides, as Martha Jean’s ugly ass put it, this isn’t my house. I’m just a visitor.”
Adeline didn’t miss the furrow of Jaden’s brows with her name calling.
“Listen,” Desiree intervened, “I don’t understand why you two can’t get along. We have a very important event coming up, and I don’t need you raising hell over something so trivial.”
“And don’t even make it seem as if you’re not wanted here because Jaden and I have done nothing but everything to make you feel comfortable,” Claudia added.
Jaden approached. “This is as much your home as it is ours. But you need to underst
and that even with that being the case, your actions don’t only affect you. When you’re throwing objects, you could hurt yourself or someone who’s trying to protect you.” Jaden motioned to Clifford. “In any case, doing so is juvenile and won’t be tolerated whether you’re here or at your other son-in-law’s home.”
“Agreed,” Julian added. “Tell us how we can help bring you and Martha Jean together because whether you or she likes it or not, you’re both a part of this family and will see each other on a regular basis.”
The doorbell chimed, giving London a reason to exit the room without being awkward. She was gone all of thirty seconds before she returned.
“It’s Daniella,” she said.
Adeline crossed her eyes. She’d been waiting on her manicurist Daniella for what felt like forever.
“Should we cancel her visit?” Jaden asked.
“No!” Adeline said. “I heard all of your concerns, and I just want to say I understand.” Adeline quieted but with all of their probing stares, she continued, “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to the Lord about it. Won’t happen again.”
No one believed her, but for now they accepted her apology. Jaden turned to London. “Invite Daniella into the study to give us time to clean up please.”
“Yes, sir.” London left the room, and Jaden and Claudia picked up fruit that was spread around the space while Clifford helped Adeline to the station she would sit at to get her mani, pedi.
Jonas left the room to check on Samiyah and Martha Jean. They were inside the dining room talking in harsh whispers. The closer Jonas came to them, the clearer their voices became.
“Look,” Samiyah was saying, “whether you like her or not, she’s a part of our extended family. You have to respect her, it’s not an option! Now if you guys are going at each other’s throats because of your crush on my father-in-law, then you should be ashamed of yourself. For God’s sake, Mama.”
Martha Jean huffed. “You know good and well that I could give a flying flip about her crush on Christopher. What is he going to do with her? He’d be a fool to overlook me for Ad-e-line.”
Samiyah sighed and dropped her head in her hands. Adeline held up her hands. “All right, I’m not trying to be a difficult person.”
She Said Yes (Falling For A Rose Book 6) Page 4
