Just Be True To Me

Mia was distracted by the television for a moment. She watched silently as Clifford answered the reporter’s questions. The longer she watched, the more she felt she’d overreacted. Being a lawyer taught her to never jump to conclusions, even if things looked bad. She noticed that he was wearing the outfit she’d picked out.

“Me and your mom are getting back together,” Her father’s words sunk in and she barely managed to keep the soda she’d just drank in her mouth. “What?”

“We’re getting back together. Me and your mom. I’m probably not going to be in the house for a while, but we’re on the right track.”

She apologized to the man sitting behind them, her fist having grazed the back of his head as she hugged her father. “That’s great. I’m gonna call mom.” Her mouth dropped open after he snatched the phone out of her hand.

“I was supposed to keep it a secret. She wants to tell you. So act surprised when she does.”

“Kiki, can I get a round of Sprite shots for me and my old man?”

“How you doin’ William,” Kiki said while pouring the drinks. “You didn’t tell me your daughter was this gorgeous.”

“She looks just like her mother.” He planted a wet kiss in the center of Mia’s cheek. “Me and Kiki spent a lot of time together after I messed up.”

“I just gave him an ear and a napkin. I know he looks tough, but your dad is a crier. I almost had to kick him out for flooding the place. More than once.”

William shushed her. “That’s supposed to be a secret.” They all shared a laugh. “I never thanked you. You helped me see things from another perspective. I owe you so much.”

“I’m just your friendly neighborhood bartender.”

They meandered to a booth for more privacy, taking a pitcher of Sprite with them. They talked about the good times, reminiscing over trips to Disney Land and the Grand Canyon. After the fun, Mia changed the subject to more serious things, her case and how it was going. She explained that her head wasn’t in it like it usual was. She felt distracted and that nothing was going right. She was a step behind, something she wasn’t accustomed to.

“Maybe I’m losing it. Maybe it’s time for the streak to come to an end.”

He said, “If you were an athlete I would agree with you. But you’re a defender of people’s freedom. You can never give up.”

“Well, maybe I should let somebody else take over. I’ve done enough damage.”

He grabbed her hand. “Talk to me, Mia, what’s this really about?”

Her pride didn’t want her to admit that a man had her so out of sorts. After Darren, she promised herself that she would never let anyone, let alone another man, mess with her head or life in the same way. And she’d done a good job. It was the day after she’d made the decision that the streak had started. It was no coincidence that it would probably end because she’d strayed away from the principle.

William was smiling when she looked at him.

“What’s funny?”

His voice was cool and calm when he said “You’re in love.”

Repulsion surged through her. She pushed the glass away. “I am not in love. Clifford’s old enough to be—she chuckled—my dad.” An epiphany made her face shine. “He’s your age but he still acts like a teenager.”

“A lot of us men do. One thing I learned, both from my personal experience and talking to my friends, is that when it comes to women, a man will remain immature until he meets the right one.”

“That’s not the thing I would want to hear if I was in love.”

“I wasn’t saying that to discourage you,” he said. “I said it because it’s true. And personally, I don’t care if he’s my age. I don’t care that he’s white.” He caressed her cheek. “All I care about is how he treats you.”

It dawned on her that of all the things that were an issue in their relationship, race, wasn’t one of them. Granted, they hadn’t gotten physical yet, so she wasn’t sure about his stamina, but their age difference hadn’t been a concern either. No one asked about either. No one brought either issue up. She felt better knowing that the world had changed so much that their relationship would be considered normal.

“What do I do?”

“Communication is the key to everything. Talk to him. Let him know how you feel. And listen when he talks to you. You are your mother’s child so I know that last part will be a bit difficult.”

She threw a piece of ice at him. She stared at her hands as she confessed to liking him. She wanted to feel bad about it and wanted to find a problem with it, but she couldn’t find anything that would be a major issue between them.

“Why do men lie? I trusted him with a secret, but he didn’t trust me enough to tell me his.”

“He probably thought you would think differently about him.” Her father placed his hand over his heart. “We men have fragile egos. I know you know about that.”

“I definitely do.”

William hid his phone as he answered a text. “Go talk to him.”

“Why do I feel like you’re sending me off.”

His teeth showed between his lips. “I am. That was your mother.” Maher Zain’s “Love Will Prevail” came on in the bar. “And if you needed another sign, there it is.”

She thanked him while they hugged. “You always know how to make me feel better.”

He kissed her forehead. “That’s my job.” He held her hand around his arm as they exited the building, promising Kiki that they would be back soon. “Maybe once I’m out of the dog house you can come by for dinner.”

Kiki said, “So in a couple of years? I’ll mark it on my calendar.”

Mia asked for a ride to Clifford’s house.

Upon reaching it, William said, “At least he isn’t broke.”

She laughed into his chest. “Thanks, daddy. Tell mom I said hi.”

***

Clifford had just ended his call when the doorbell rang. His mouth dropped open upon laying eyes on her. He remained silent as he backed out of the way to let her in. He stammered over his words as he offered her something to drink, missing most of the couch’s arm when he went to sit.