Chapter 10

Sheeba

I got a text from someone when I was leaving the hospital, but only now did I have a chance to check it. His grandmother was relentless, convinced that I was plotting harm against her family. What I didn't understand was how she intended to uncover my 'evil plot' in one day. Didn't villains usually wait a while to reveal their master plans? They'd just gotten here; why the hell would I reveal my master plan right away to a stranger? Personally, I thought she'd watched too many after school specials or Saturday morning cartoons or something.

Shaking my head at Renee Vern Mason's stupidity, I checked my phone.

Simeon: Thanks for fielding the family questions for me.

I laughed at that, changing into my night clothes.

Me: I thought it was a little weird for a doctor to need such a rudimentary explanation! Anytime, Animal Handling Master!

Honestly, this was the first time I'd laughed freely since meeting his Grandmother. And I had fifteen more days with her! Ugh…

Pushing aside that depressing thought, I brushed my teeth and tied up my hair with a silk scarf for the night. A knock on my door said that I was going to have company. Steele never knocked, Ms. Vern was too tired to climb them steps, and Lee was too polite to barge in on me after the evening I'd just had. That left just one candidate.

"Come on in, Taylor."

"How did you know it was me?"

"Lucky guess," I shrugged. How can I help you?"

"I left Steele downstairs to explain to Grandma how he ended up dating a twenty-eight-year-old virgin. Care to give your take on it?"

"Sure. My internet relationship was on the internet. Now, you can do lots of things on the internet. Getting pregnant is not one of them. After I moved… I don't know. No one ever asked me. I was focused on my career and my friends were just that - friends. It never occurred to me that I needed that done like it was a chore."

"Wow. Must have been weird to suddenly have your cherry's days numbered once you met Steele. What about your old boyfriend?" I shook my head, not interested in explaining. "Damn. You're as rare as a unicorn down in the States. Everyone's given it up by the time they're like, fifteen and shit."

"I lived in the States and I didn't. My virginity isn't a party favor. It's a gift for me to give to the right guy."

"Really? So it's not some religious reason or something?"

"Not really. Steele's been telling me about how the cousins are starting to marry. Nothing for you yet?" I was grateful to have Taylor as an ally and all, but she didn't need to know all my business.

"Nope. I'm still playing the field and shit. There's no rush after all. I'm only a year older than Steele. And with a dozen or so babies coming out this year, I'm the least of my Auntie's and Mama's problems. Do you feel your biological clock ticking?"

"Not really. I'm only 28 and I've never been especially interested in breeding as a career choice. Yet another reason for my mother to be disappointed in me. I'd rather study. Hell, I'd rather do just about anything than be some dude's baby-making machine. The idea of breeding to failure is completely unpalatable."

"Un- what?" Taylor looked confused.

"Unpalatable. Means I hate the idea. I don't want a big family, I never have. My Mom was all like, 'kids are like Pringles - once you pop, you can't stop'," Steele's girl cousin was holding her stomach from laughing so hard. "But that's never been my philosophy. Children are a blessing to be savored. Besides, I don't like Pringles. They're too dry and brittle in my opinion. I prefer Lay's."

"Girl, you are too much! And I love how you be using them five-dollar words!"

"I've always been an avid reader. I like choosing the exact word with the exact meaning I'm looking for. It's rewarding to me."

"Words are rewarding to you? Damn, no wonder your standards are so low!" I did my best not to glare at her, but she must have sensed my displeasure anyway.

"On the contrary, Taylor. My standards are ridiculously high. I wouldn't take just anybody into my home. If Des, Mirror, and Choyce had been trifling, I would have offered to help clean whatever place they ended up in. I like my space. And I don't really like change as a rule. But they were too nice to just send on their way and hope for the best. Up to now, I've never regretted my decision."

"Well, I'm grateful that you've opened your home and heart to us. I'm sure that Grandma will come around eventually. The rest of us are wholeheartedly on team Steele/Sheeba. Just hang in there," she said, giving me a warm hug. "And by the way, thanks for saving me from that slap. I don't know how you saw it coming, but I appreciate you. That would have hurt."

"If that hit had landed, your Grandmother would have found herself in a hotel room for the duration of her stay here. I grew up in that kind of violence and I won't have it here. My house is my haven and I will not have violence in my haven."

"You were fast to stop her, Babygirl. Grandma has lightning-quick reflexes." We both turned to the door to find Lee and Steele standing there. I shrugged at my man.

"Let's just say, I know how to read the signs. And honestly, my Mom is faster." He crossed to me, caressing my cheek. He sat down next to me and I climbed into his lap, purring my contentment. Today had been a truly stressful day, but it was over now and there was never any wisdom in borrowing trouble from tomorrow. I snuggled against him, silently thanking God that he still loved me despite his Grandmother's disapproval, and let the rhythm of the conversation lull me to sleep.

Steele

"Damn! Your girl a narcoleptic or something?" Lee chuckled. I only held Sheeba tighter, understanding right away the amount of stress she'd been under all day.

"Sheeba only sleeps like this when it's way past her bedtime or when she's deeply stressed. It's like she can't help her body just shutting down."

"Will she be okay?" Taylor asked worriedly. I shrugged; I honestly didn't know. Instead of trying to answer, I pulled her up in my arms to put her under the covers. Lee pulled back the covers so I could put her to bed. After settling her in, I sat against the headboard to play in her hair as we chilled. Grandma was asleep after their long flight. After a while though, I had to kick them niggas out my room. I wanted to snuggle with my woman and it was late anyway.

Once they were gone, I turned on the fan that Sheeba insisted on running every night to drown out the sounds of the night and quickly got ready for bed. Once I slid under the covers, I gathered my lady to me and snuggled her properly. She stretched with a hum but didn't wake up. Once she was down, she was down for the night. I fell asleep easily after that, content with my choice to stick with my boo.

The next morning, I woke up alone. Sheeba was quite the little escape artist. Foregoing a shower for the time being, I brushed my teeth and went downstairs to find out that Renee Vern was at it again. This time she was tryna get my girlfriend to give me up for my own good.

"I don't remember it being your choice who I'm with, Grandma," I broke into their conversation rudely. Renee Vern Mason jumped like I'd caught her stealing, but Sheeba didn't turn a hair at the sudden intrusion. She was facing away from the door too. How did she do that? She simply went to the cabinet to get a cup which she filled with ice before running it under the tap. My girl had gotten a water softening system that made her water taste better than some bottled water. I joined her.

"Morning, Babygirl." I crooned to her, turning her to face me. I really love the way her eyes dilated when she looked at me. "You know I don't like waking up alone."

"Your grandmother woke me up this morning wanting to talk," she said ruefully. I glared at Grandma and she turned away.

Instead of berating her yet again, I cozied up to my woman, who was cutting up ingredients for omelets. Lee and Taylor joined us in the kitchen.

"Where's your instructions for the omelets?" Renee Vern Mason asked nastily.

"You are the instructions," my girl said as if a cutting remark hadn't just been thrown her way. "The base of the omelet is easy: three eggs, a tablespoon of milk, a dash of seasoning salt all mixed together in a measuring cup. I'll just need to know what you want inside the omelet. Choices are diced ham, diced tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, diced sweet peppers, minced garlic, and shredded cheese."

"Everything," Lee and Taylor said automatically. They laughed and yelled out "Jinks".

"Better make that four, Babygirl. Old Man Sim ain't gonna pass up on this."

"Ms. Vern?" Sheeba asked my grandmother for her preference.

"I'll make my own," she said forcefully, moving forward to take over the stove.

"No you won't," Sheeba said just as forcefully. "I'm cooking this morning. What would you like in your omelet?" The women stared at each other intensely before Grandma backed down.

"I only want two eggs and a half tablespoon of milk in mine, no seasoning. As for toppings, I'll tell you exactly how much of each I want when it's time."

"Very well, Ms Vern," she said. "I'll make your omelet after Taylor's." She put my cousin's omelet together like something that belonged on a cooking show. We were all impressed and said so. But Grandma turned up her nose as Sheeba changed vinyl gloves to make the next omelet.

"I don't know why y'all all impressed. It's just eggs and toppings." Sheeba ignored her and started making her base. "What you doing? I said four eggs and a tablespoon and a half of milk! Can't you even get your stupid-"

"You said two eggs and half a tablespoon of milk. Also, I'm your host, not your slave. I would appreciate it if you kept a civil tongue in your mouth. Now, would you like to change your order?" she asked, ignoring our collective 'ooh'!

"You obviously need a lesson in how to speak to your elders. But we'll wait until we in my house for that. Since you obviously can't follow instructions, I'll have my omelet like the others." She took off her gloves, moved the pan off the stove, and grabbed her phone, fiddling with it before looking up.

"You want everything in your omelet, Ms. Vern? Ham, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, sweet peppers, garlic, and shredded cheese?"

"Ain't that what I said?"

"No. You said you want an omelet like the others. So I'm asking you point blank: would you like everything on your omelet or would you like me to skip some ingredients?" Grandma glared at being called out like this. Renee Vern Mason was very used to being in control. My woman was showing her that wasn't the case right now. This was Hefsiba Russo's territory and she owned every inch of it.

"I'll skip the tomatoes and the garlic," she said at last, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Very well," Sheeba said, pressing another few buttons on her phone before setting up and producing another perfect omelet. Taylor finished her breakfast as it came off the stove. Sheeba put on fresh gloves and made an omelet for Lee and another one for me while Grandma ate.

"How's your omelet, Grandma?" I asked.

"It would have been better with tomatoes and garlic."

"Yes, it would have, but you specifically asked me not to use those ingredients in your omelet," Sheeba cut into the conversation.

"I never said-" Sheeba rapped her nails on the counter before pressing a button on her phone. The conversation Grandma had with my girl about the toppings played in its entirety. Grandma was blushing by the time it was over.

"How dare you record me without my consent," she asked weakly. Sheeba only glared at her angrily until she looked away. Then she fixed an omelet for herself and one for Simeon, which she put in a container. She ate her omelet with Ketchup while we all praised her culinary skills, eyeing Simeon's food.

"Oh for goodness sake! Give me a minute and I'll make another omelet for each of you!" We laughed happily, but Grandma just looked sour.

"The omelets weren't that good," she grumbled. Sheeba tapped her phone again before speaking.

"Are you saying you don't want another one?" Grandma was once again glaring at her nemesis. Aware that she was being recorded, she opted to shake her head. "I need you to say it, Ms. Vern. Would you like a second omelet?"

"Yes," she spat out furiously.

"Shall I use all of the ingredients this time, or leave out the tomatoes and garlic again?"

"I'll take all the ingredients this time," Grandma said. Sheeba pulled the phone toward her, but I noticed that she didn't turn it off. "Do you always record your guests like they're criminals?"

"Only them's that need it, Ms. Vern. You seem to be having problems with your short term memory yesterday and this morning. This should help." Grandma could have breathed fire in that moment, 'cause she certainly couldn't slap fire out of her hostess. In the meantime, my boo cut up more ingredients before giving Simeon's omelet to Taylor and making more for everyone, including two for OS. They were just as delicious the second time around, even though the Ketchup made the rounds this time. Grandma was very salty as she ate, taking time to glare at her opponent between bites. She reminded me of Nurse Erica with her childish attitude, to be honest.

"Come on. Let's clean up the kitchen so we can go visit Simeon." Me and my cousins immediately started gathering the plates just as the main line in the house rang. Sheeba looked at the display and sighed.

"God's blessings," she said by rote. "Good morning, Mom. How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. Are you alone?"

"As I've said before, I'm never alone now that the Masons are here."

"Baby, this nonsense has got to stop. If you're hurting for money-"

"I'm not. The money was besides the point when I made this decision and it still is, Mother. Is there something you wanted to discuss? We're doing the dishes so we can get ready to visit the hospitalized cousin/grandson."

"Their grandparents had the nerve to visit? They ought to be ashamed of themselves."

"Mother! It's just the grandmother. Mr. Mason has passed on from what I understand."

"I want to speak to her," the woman said forcefully.

"No," Sheeba said automatically.

"Hefsiba Patience Russo, that wasn't a request."

"Mother, this isn't your concern. I haven't lived under your roof for many, many years and what I do and who I do it with is frankly none of your business. I will not allow you to insult my guests. I love you, but unless there's anything pressing, I really do have to go." The silence that stretched out after her speech made even my Grandmother uncomfortable.

"This isn't over, Hefsiba."

"It really is," the woman said with determination. "Have a great day. Tell Dad I love him." With that, she hung up.

"Damn, girl! You don't play!" Lee laughed.

"I take my hostess duties very seriously," she said happily. "You guys paid good money for my services. You don't deserve to get chewed out by my irate mother."

"Irate?"

"Annoyed, angry." she told Taylor.

"If that's what 'irate' means, why not just say that?" Grandma said snidely.

"Because 'irate' means all of that and has the connotation I was looking for, Ms. Vern. I don't like to waste words. Which is why I've spent my whole life building up my vocabulary to know what word I want at any given time. Language is very important to me." Grandma looked at her furiously, and it suddenly occurred to me that she was jealous. I gaped at her, and Renee Vern Mason looked away suddenly. The woman had never been jealous of anyone or anything in her life. My grandmother was a proud black woman who had raised her children and grandchildren to be close and virtuous. But here was a woman who was confident in herself, faithful, and just as virtuous without trying.

I didn't comment on it, just continued helping to clean up the kitchen.

Once the place was in order and we'd all showered and dressed, Sheeba drove us over to the hospital. This routine went on for the next eight days, during which time the cousin chat blew up with comments about the way Grandma was treating my baby. Even Curtis, who was fanatically loyal to Grandma, couldn't condone her bad behavior.

Curtis: What's Grandma's problem anyway? She living in that house like she own it, torturing the real owner like she stole her fucking puppy.

Simeon: I know! Sheeba ain't been nothing but nice to her. She don't disrespect her or even raise her voice to her.

Taylor: The girl is crazy to just take it like she is. I'd be done told her all about herself by now.

Brandon: Stop your lying! Grandma be done slapped fire out of you!

Terry: Does shorti think Grandma will come around? 'Cause we all know that ain't happening.

Royce: Word. Grandma can hold a grudge until the stars fall out of the sky. Steele, you sure it has to be this girl? Grandma ain't gonna make your life easier if you keep her.

Steele: I ain't looking for Renee Vern Mason's approval. Sheeba is my girl. Everybody just gonna have to get onboard the clue train.

This was followed by a bunch of 'LOL's and stuff, but I was too pissed to enjoy it. Grandma was getting on my nerves! The way she was treating my woman was stressing me out. Sheeba's job was stressful enough without this nonsense. To make things worse, Erica had officially accused Sheeba of sleeping with Simeon and the case had gotten CRNA attention. It was such bullshit, but the trifling wench insisted that it was true and now the unit manager and the union were involved. Every time I saw that girl, she always had a 'see what you made me do' look on her face that I wanted to slap off. My poor boo was hurting from the stress of the accusations, but she was holding it together admirably. She'd even contacted Choyce about the accusations so that she wouldn't hear about it from somewhere else.

"When's your meeting, Babygirl?" I asked as I massaged her in bed. She had a day shift tomorrow and had arranged for an Uber to take Lee to the airport first thing in the morning so that she could get her workout in before her shift. The rest of us would be ready to go to visit Old Man Sim after her shift. We'd be going to meet Walter at the airport Monday afternoon on her day off. But that was the thing, wasn't it? Sheeba didn't get days off anymore. She was constantly working with us, driving us around and making sure our needs were met. It wasn't like I could drive her around, the car was in her name. I wanted to take her out, but Grandma was being such a monster that it wasn't possible.

"Tuesday mid-morning," she sighed tiredly. "I told them I couldn't meet Monday because I needed to be at the airport."

"This is bullshit! I should be there with you. The only reason this is happening is that Erica is a filthy liar." She turned on her back and caressed my cheek tenderly.

"Yes, she is a liar. But it all has to come out before this can be over. That's the part I'm looking forward to. Her crush is well-documented and the fact that her job performance suffered because of it. Erica Brightman will be lucky to keep her place in her nursing program once this is all said and done. Lying to CRNA is a huge deal. And there will be grave consequences; consequences that she never even thought of in her haste to get my man." I scooped her up, turning us so that she was lying on top of me. I kissed her hungrily before resting her head on my chest. "What was that for?" she asked breathlessly.

"For keeping me calm," I answered, snuggling her close to me. I held her close and rocked her against me until she drifted off to sleep. After that, I slipped out from under her to turn off the lights and turn on the fan.

"Leave us alone, Grandma. I'm tired."

"She doesn't deserve you," Renee Vern sighed as if she were sick of the circular argument we'd been having since she got up here.

"Would you have opened your home to a group of 15 strangers for the sake of a patient?"

"Of course I-"

"I mean you, Grandma. You alone without support or anyone to back you up if things went wrong. Would you do that for a complete stranger?" She looked away. "See, my lady is completely reliant on her God 'cause she has no one, she's an army of one up here. Her friends selfishly ignore her unless they need something, her family hasn't visited in 7 years, her co-workers are busy with their own lives. Yet, she made the time and effort to take care of us. And yes, we're paying her, but it's not nearly enough for all she does for us. She is alone. She's not beholden to anyone. And this is what she's doing with her time. Her heating bill has gone up, her food bill is sky high, she's running through gas like it's her day job, even with her hybrid. The student nurse who works with her is accusing her of sexual misconduct because she's jealous of our relationship. She could lose her job, and it's more than a job for her. Nursing is her calling, her way of serving her God.

"She's going through the storm right now and thanks to you, she's going through it alone." I didn't know what else I could say to change her heart towards my woman. But it seemed to be enough because my grandmother suddenly looked pale and horrified. I left her with whatever thought was eating at her. I didn't have time for her tonight. Her attitude was getting on my nerves.