3. The Parent's visit

"Copeland, did you hear her? I know I heard her loud and clear. She's still a married woman, humph! I thought you told me she wanted this divorce! It doesn't seem that way. I felt so humiliated sitting there listening to her brag about her marriage to you and how she takes her vows seriously."

"Lizzy, I told you she was going to divorce me. If you had been willing to wait, you would have heard for yourself." 

"I don't believe you! All she was going to do his flaunt her marriage to you in front of my face. I know how women can be Copeland! I don't want to talk anymore. Bye!" 

Lizzy got out and slammed the car door! 

"Man! Women!" Copeland frustratedly answered his ringing phone. 

"Hello!" He answered firmly.

"Hey man, whatever women problems you have, don't take it out on me." 

"Oh hey, Joel, What's up?" 

"I should be asking you that. But, instead, do you want to talk about it over a drink while I prepare to open the nightclub?" 

"I'll see you at King's shortly." Copeland pulled up to the nightclub. He wasn't in a good mood. Lizzy was upset with him, and now Tameka's here, and nothing is going the way he hoped it would for him. 

"Hey Copeland, my man!" Joel says, throwing his arms around Copeland's shoulder. 

"What's up, Joel." 

"You baby, what do you want to drink? You can have anything. It's on the house." 

"I'll take a white Russian."

"So tell me, man, is the divorce final?" 

"What? I haven't even filled out the papers yet." 

"Ah, C'mon! What's the hold-up now? You know I got plans for Tameka and me once you set my girl free." 

Copeland took a swig of his drink. "Ooh, you put it away fast here, have another one." 

"Look what you're doing! You done spilled it all over my Italian suit! Forget it! I'm done!" 

"I'm sorry, man, it was a mistake! Don't go!" 

"I got an early day at work. Later, man!" 

Copeland storms out of the club while calling for his driver. At the same time, he was standing outside, waiting on his driver. Copeland could get over Joel talking about Tameka and him getting together. "How could he talk about my wife in front of my face that way!" 

His car pulled up. "Take me home?" 

"Which home, Sir? Do you want to go to Miss Hubbards, or do you want to go to your house?" 

"Take me by Tameka!" 

When Copeland walks through the door, he doesn't expect his mother, Olivia, and his grandmother Kate. 

"Good evening, son." 

"Good evening, mom and Gigi. What are you two doing here?" 

"Well, word spreads fast. We heard that my lovely daughter-in-law was home and we just had to see her! Here take a seat next to Tameka's son." Copeland sits down next to me. I could tell he had been drinking. 

"So, I know you two modern young people are into your careers, and that's good," Olivia says. 

"But it's been three long years! Don't you two think it's time to have us some grandbabies? I'm not getting any younger, you know." 

We both looked at one another and then back at Gigi and Olivia.

"Mom and Gigi! The girl hasn't been here a good 24 hours, and you two are planning for us to have a baby!"

"Tell him, Tameka. You want a baby too! So you can stop working so hard." 

I tried to smile it off. "Well, I don't know, Gigi." 

"Are you listening, Copeland? Your wife wants a baby. She's just too shy to say it." 

"My phone is ringing. Hello?" Copeland says, glad for the distraction.

"Hey, it's me, Lizzy. Can you come over?" 

"Not right now. I have company right now. I'll call you later, okay? How are you feeling?" 

"Not so good. Especially since I can't talk to you." 

"I'll call you. I got to go."

"Who are you whispering on the phone with, son?" 

"That was Lizzy." 

"Lizzy Hubbard?" Gigi asked, looking puzzled.

"Why are you talking to Lizzy, Son? You are not cheating on your wife, are you?"

"Copeland, Tameka is a good girl. We didn't raise you to be a cheating slut!" 

"Momma and Gigi, I…"

"Copeland, what is that on your tie and shirt? Gigi and Momma Olivia, can you excuse Copeland and me for a minute." 

"Sure, Tameka, it's so good to have you home. Olivia, look how she takes care of our son." Gigi says.

 

Once upstairs in the primary bedroom together. Away from the firing squad of Copeland's grandmother and mother, he let out a sigh. She detected the heat from his body close to hers. He just stood there staring at her in the dimly lit bedroom. His gaze burned into her while a muscle barely tensed in his lean jaw. He stared at the curling mass of heavy black hair falling around the nape of her slender swanlike neck. Her long, flared cotton jersey dress moved softly on her curvy frame. 

It was a soft coral color flattering the intense vibrancy of her skin tone. Tilting her chin, Tameka flashed a fake smile. The expression transformed her face, startling him with her soft natural beauty. Her hair, her crowning glory, was a luxurious raven black. It highlights the exotic cheekbones in her delicate face. Her large eyes, framed by long lashes, are the same shade as her hair.

 "Don't you think you should change your shirt?" 

"I know what you are doing?" 

"What am I doing?" I asked. 

"Thanks anyway." He turned and walked away, removing the old stained shirt and changing it into a new one. Tameka turned and looked away. Once again, she felt her heart flutter. Once he was finished changing into a clean, fresh shirt 

"Let's go back down to mother and Gigi."

"Copeland, listen to me. Tameka is a good girl and the best woman for you. Do you hear me, boy? Tomorrow take her shopping and buy her a gown for the company's sixty anniversary."

"Alright, mom and Gigi. We'll see you tomorrow night." 

"Thanks for visiting us, Momma Olivia and Gigi." I hugged them both. 

"We look forward to seeing you, Tameka, tomorrow night." 

We stood outside and waved goodbye as they drove away. I looked at Copeland. I didn't realize I was just in time for a party," I said and went into the house.