Page 31 of Rounds (Love In Scrubs)

I took a deep breath as I walked through the store, looking for the type of wine Mama liked. I had Glover looking on the other aisle. I was nervous about talking to them today. We never had discussions like this, and I didn’t even know how I would start the conversation.

“I got it,” Glover said as he approached me.

I watched his gaze shift to someone behind me.

When I turned around, I saw Jaunté getting a case of beer.

I rolled my eyes and turned my head just as I saw him looking our way.

He had better not be on no bullshit. Today wasn’t the day.

No day was the day, but today, my nerves were already on edge.

I would unleash on his ass in this store full of people and handle the embarrassment of it all later.

When he got close, he gave Glover a head nod and said, “Hello, Delaney.”

“Hey.”

“You make me sick, nigga. I hate your dog, nigga.”

Chanté Moore wrote the words perfectly to that damn song. Whenever I saw him, that shit was on repeat in my head. To my surprise he kept walking. Glover smirked at me as my lips parted. “I guess he took that threat seriously,” I said to Glover.

“As he should, because that shit was a promise. I will fuck him up, career be damned, when it comes to you.”

“I wouldn’t allow that. Practicing medicine and taking care of people are both your passions, not to mention the two people in this world you love.”

“You think you know me.”

I giggled as he put his arm around me. We walked to the register and paid for the wine, then made our way to his SUV.

I knew Jaunté was a punk ass nigga. He gave me a tough time but didn’t have shit to say to Glover.

Bitch ass. He made my ass itch. However, I had to be grateful for even his fuck ups.

Had he not messed up, I wouldn’t have given Glover the time of day, missing out on the man God intended for me to be with.

Once we were inside and heading to my mom’s house, I retreated to my thoughts. Glover slid his hand over to mine and gave it a slight squeeze. “Everything will be fine, baby. If it doesn’t go well, Dad will be looking forward to cheering you up afterward.”

I gave him a slight smile. He was right. It would be fine. I was getting myself all worked up over nothing. Within fifteen minutes, we were pulling into my mom’s driveway, I took a deep breath, and said, “You’re right, baby. Everything will be fine.”

He smiled at me and got out to help me out.

When he opened the door and I slid out, I kissed his lips.

I swore, I couldn’t leave the vehicle without kissing him.

We were attached at the hip it seemed. We had to touch each other in some way whenever we were together.

It was rare I even showered alone these days.

We were both extremely clingy, and I knew that was because we were still so new.

Once the newness wore off a bit, that would probably change.

When I mentioned that to Glover, he’d said, “And why would we let the newness and excitement wear off?”

I giggled at his statement, because right after, he tickled me to death, then brought me back from the dead with some tender loving.

I couldn’t get over how perfect we were for each other.

My co-workers were in shock whenever they saw us together.

Still . . . No one said a word to us about our relationship.

Everyone minded the business that paid them.

Tremeka was geeked that we were in love already.

She was still the only person I talked my personal business to.

I was grateful that she was loyal to me as a friend.

When I rang the doorbell, I was expecting my mama to answer the door. When she didn’t and I saw my sister instead, my mouth fell open. “LeeLee!” I yelled.

She smiled so big, and we hugged tightly. It had been at least four years since I’d seen her. “Hey, Laney! How are you?”

“I’m good. Wow! What a surprise. How are you?” I asked as she stepped aside to let us walk inside.

“I’m good. I’m thinking about moving back. I find as I get older, the more I hate being alone.”

“I get it totally. This is my boyfriend, Glover Israel. Glover, this is my sister, LeAndria.”

They shook hands and greeted one another, then we headed to the front room to find my parents.

When they saw us round the corner, they stood and greeted Glover and me.

Right after, we headed to the dining room.

I was so damn nervous now, even more than before.

I didn’t know how I would bring this up.

“Mama, what’s on the menu?” I asked, breaking the silence like last time.

“I only did spaghetti and meatballs this time. I didn’t realize how tired I was. My week was busy.”

I nodded as she smiled. Dad extended his hand to her and LeAndria, so we all joined hands. He blessed the food, then he and Mom went to the kitchen to get the dishes. LeAndria turned to me. “How long have y’all been together? You’re glowing, girl!”

I giggled. “We’ve only been a couple for like a month, but things moved extremely fast. It was like we were made for each other.”

“That’s beautiful, sis.”

“Thank you,” I said as Glover grabbed my hand and kissed it.

My parents came back with the food and set it in the middle of the table.

She’d taken the leaves out to make the table shorter.

There were two extensions that she could put in it that made room for four more people, which was why there was room for their significant others and Charleigh and her boyfriend with a chair to spare.

We began loading our plates with spaghetti, cornbread, and salad. Once we were done and had begun eating, my mama said, “So, Charleigh came clean after y’all left.”

My eyebrows lifted as my sister frowned in confusion.

“Yeah, that was after your mom came in here and told her that if she was lying, she was going to stomp a hole in her ass.” My dad chuckled, then continued.

“Your happiness means everything to us. That woman was trying to fuck with y’all because of her unhappiness.

Denver was pissed. He’s been trying to come over just to apologize to the two of you. ”

My eyebrows were still lifted. I couldn’t believe my mama was about to fuck somebody up on my account. “Wow. Umm . . . I guess this is the perfect segway for what I wanted to talk to y’all about.”

I glanced at Glover, and he grabbed my hand, supporting me through this moment.

“I was pissed at that woman for trying to make Glover sound like a womanizer. Thank you for standing up for me. That was only part of the reason we left. I became overwhelmed emotionally. Truth is, I’m not used to receiving that type of care from the two of you.

Affection was practically non-existent in our household.

We were groomed to fight for what we wanted and not let our emotions lead the way. I took those lessons over the top.”

I rubbed Glover’s hand as I struggled to continue.

I could feel the lump in my throat. As I was about to say more, my mom said, “I know, baby. I’m so sorry for how I raised y’all.

I’m trying to be better, and it took you by surprise.

I get it. I missed out on so much by being emotionally unavailable to both of you.

Now that the two of you are grown women, I feel like we should be besties.

We can’t be that if I continue this emotionless business relationship we have.

I say business, because that’s what it feels like. ”

I could see the tears in her eyes, and I was shocked.

I had never seen my mother cry. When the tears fell down her cheeks, I found them falling down mine as well.

LeAndria grabbed my other hand, and I saw that she was shedding tears also.

“I thought I was teaching you to be strong and independent women, not needing a man for shit. I was raising you two from a place of hurt and anger.”

“I wasn’t any better. You’re my daughters.

The first time you saw love from a man, it should have been from me.

I stayed distant and came around sparingly.

I hate what I did to you girls . . . and to your mom.

” He paused as he glanced at her. “I sent money all the time, but that didn’t equate to a relationship.

We both did you a disservice. It made the two of you loners.

I’m just glad you were able to follow your heart, Delaney. ”

He turned to LeAndria, and said, “It’s time to live life without conditions, baby.”

She broke, and he pulled her in his arms. When he stood, he pulled her up and said, “Come here, Delaney.”

I practically ran to his arms, and my mama joined us. This moment was so powerful for us. It was almost like we were meeting one another for the first time. I supposed, emotionally, we were.

“Come on, Glover. You too,” my mama said.

He stood and came to us, standing right behind me, wrapping his arms around me. I took a deep breath, grateful for this moment. Once we finally sat, all our faces were wet with tears. I knew they were tears of relief and joy. We were having a new beginning.

“So, ladies, I want to take the two of you to the spa Tuesday evening. Are y’all good with that? I have a standing appointment at six, but it would be great if my babies could join me.”

“Count me in,” LeAndria said. “It’s not like I’ll have anything else to do.”

“Count me in too. How long will you be here, LeeLee?”

“Until Saturday. I plan to look for jobs while I’m here to see if it will be worth moving back.”

“What do you do, LeAndria?” Glover asked, breaking his silence.

“I work in medical billing. St. Ambrose is fully staffed in that department.”

“Are you serious?” he asked.

LeAndria just smiled as Glover continued. “The biller in my office is retiring in a couple of weeks. The position will be open. It’s yours if you want it.”

“It depends on if you can afford me, brother-in-law.”

I smiled big and so did Glover. “Man, I got’chu.”

I chuckled as I rejoiced with LeeLee on her new position at Glover’s private practice.

After that, conversation seemed to flow naturally and, for once, we were functioning like a normal, loving family.

I realized that my parents had to heal and forgive each other for some things before they could be who we needed as their daughters.

That was why they were friends now. It made things easier to be able to enjoy time with them together.

They’d been divorced for over twenty-five years.

There was no need for them to still be harboring hate for one another.

When it was time to leave, I felt a slight sadness inside. I didn’t want the day to end. I hugged both my parents and LeeLee, and they walked us to the door. “So, what do y’all think about making this an every Sunday afternoon thing?” my mama asked.

“Sounds good to me,” I said as I turned to Glover.

He nodded with a smile. I knew we could make it here first, then to the nursing facility afterward. My dad grabbed my hand, and asked, “Would it be okay if our significant others come too?”

“That’s fine, Daddy, especially since Denver wants to clear the air between him and Glover. That shit was Charleigh’s fault. She can’t come.”

He chuckled, and so did my mama. “Maybe sometimes, I can cook,” I offered.

“Me too,” LeAndria said.

“That would be great, babies,” Mama agreed.

I hugged them all again as we said our goodbyes, then went to Glover’s SUV. Once we were inside, I said, “Thank you, baby. My big sister is a hard worker. I just pray she’s a good fit in your office. Thank you for even offering it to her. I’m so happy she’s coming back.”

“Seeing the joy on your face today was the reason for that. Having them in your life means a lot to you, and them expressing how much it means to them, too, did your heart good.”

“Maybe some Sundays, we can get a wheelchair and get Dad out of the nursing facility for a couple of hours to enjoy time with us too.”

I could tell he was feeling a way about his family. His dad was all he had. His eyebrows lifted. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”

“Glover, why would I mind? I love your dad. I felt more of a connection to him in a couple of conversations than I have to my own father. I would love for him to be there.”

He nodded and smiled. I learned that we were a lot alike when it came to showing our emotions. We tended to get quiet to subdue them. He glanced at me and said, “That means a lot to me, Delaney.”

“I know.”

I leaned over and kissed his cheek as he drove. I felt good inside. Life was finally doing right by me. I had a great family and the perfect relationship. Glover was the love of my life, and I knew we were locked in until the end of time.

“Now to tell Gideon Israel that he will be making Sunday trips to your parents’ house. Lawd have mercy. I’m gon’ tell him, the first time he embarrasses me in front of your family will be the last time he leaves that nursing facility.”

I laughed loudly. “What I told you about that? Not too much on my father-in-law, now.”

He chuckled, then lifted my hand and kissed it. This was definitely the life I was destined to live. One of love, loyalty, devotion, and as many rounds as I could handle.