However, something is there. I sensed it before I met
your son. ”
“I sensed it
yesterday when I was told about TeKaya. Eric made it a point to
express his opinion of Siri, not by name of
course. ”
“What do you
think we should do about it? ”
“Hmm--hard to
say. But I think I ’ ll stay around until
both situations are resolved. ”
The women
extended hands and shook on it. “ Mothers
unite. ”
“You got it
sister. Let ’ s eat dinner and
watch. I don ’ t know who they think
they are fooling, ” Kerri exclaimed as she took
Miriam ’ s arm and marched into the kitchen.
Sunday dinner
at the Kendrick house was more of a military surveillance then
potential in-laws getting to know one another for the first time.
The methods used by both mothers were a perfect combination of
observation and bait. Kerri would introduce a seemingly innocent
topic while Miriam watched for reactions. Every now and then you
would hear one of the women go, “ Mmm-hum. ” What was most noticeable was the
quietness of Siri when TK was describing the first time she saw
Jason at the concert. Siri ’ s eyes glanced at
Eric just for a moment, then looked away. Anyone not looking would
have missed it, but not Miriam, who had a perfect view. She was
sitting at one end of the table and Kerri sat at the other end.
Jason sat to his mother ’ s right and Eric on
the left. TK sat next to Jason and Siri sat next to Eric. The
mothers ’ ears belonged to Jason and TK, but their eyes
were on Eric and Siri.
“That ’ s a wonderful
story, ” Miriam smiled as she pushed her now empty plate
forward. Propping her elbows on the table, and then folding her
hands under her chin she closed her eyes. “ When your father
and I met it was sparks from the beginning. And we knew just from
that first moment that we were going to be together. However, there
were obstacles in the way. He lived in Europe and I lived in
Georgia. We did not have the luxury of a private jet to use at our
disposal. To make matters worse, he was a wealthy foreigner whose
skin was a whole lot lighter than mine. ” She smiled
sadly, as if remembering her beloved Pierre. Everyone around the
table listened intently to the story. “ He came back
stage to meet the performers and when I was introduced to him he
kissed my hand and said, “ Your mesmerizing
beauty has captured my heart, mademoiselle. ” Her smile
brightened. “ We spent the most
amazing week together. When it was time for me to leave, he said he
was in love and wanted me as his wife. Of course that was in the
sixties and at that time home was a battleground for civil rights.
There was no way in hell I could take a Frenchman home and tell my
daddy we were getting married. I told him that and walked away. I
knew I was leaving my heart in Paris, but it was the only way I
knew to protect my family from the bigotry of narrow-minded people.
It ’ s fortunate for the two of you that Pierre was a man
that believed that love conquers all. He came to Georgia and
refused to leave until I agreed to become his wife. It
didn ’ t matter that his skin was white and mine was brown.
What mattered was love. It is my hope that we instilled that in our
sons. Do not allow issues, people, or distances keep you away from
true love. For it is that kind of love that will get you through
any and all-rough times to come. ”
Most of the
occupants at the table assumed Miriam told the story to encourage
Jason and TeKaya to fight for the love they had found. But at the
end of the story Miriam looked and smiled at Siri. The impact of
the story caused a moment of self-examination for each of them.
Silence ruminated through the room. “ In 1976 no, no,
-------- “ Kerri began.
“Arghhhhh, ” Siri and TeKaya threw their hands in
the air as their mother began her story. The men began laughing
until they noticed the look on their mother ’ s face. They
both cleared their throats and sat up straight.
Kerri stared at
her daughters with the
your son. ”
“I sensed it
yesterday when I was told about TeKaya. Eric made it a point to
express his opinion of Siri, not by name of
course. ”
“What do you
think we should do about it? ”
“Hmm--hard to
say. But I think I ’ ll stay around until
both situations are resolved. ”
The women
extended hands and shook on it. “ Mothers
unite. ”
“You got it
sister. Let ’ s eat dinner and
watch. I don ’ t know who they think
they are fooling, ” Kerri exclaimed as she took
Miriam ’ s arm and marched into the kitchen.
Sunday dinner
at the Kendrick house was more of a military surveillance then
potential in-laws getting to know one another for the first time.
The methods used by both mothers were a perfect combination of
observation and bait. Kerri would introduce a seemingly innocent
topic while Miriam watched for reactions. Every now and then you
would hear one of the women go, “ Mmm-hum. ” What was most noticeable was the
quietness of Siri when TK was describing the first time she saw
Jason at the concert. Siri ’ s eyes glanced at
Eric just for a moment, then looked away. Anyone not looking would
have missed it, but not Miriam, who had a perfect view. She was
sitting at one end of the table and Kerri sat at the other end.
Jason sat to his mother ’ s right and Eric on
the left. TK sat next to Jason and Siri sat next to Eric. The
mothers ’ ears belonged to Jason and TK, but their eyes
were on Eric and Siri.
“That ’ s a wonderful
story, ” Miriam smiled as she pushed her now empty plate
forward. Propping her elbows on the table, and then folding her
hands under her chin she closed her eyes. “ When your father
and I met it was sparks from the beginning. And we knew just from
that first moment that we were going to be together. However, there
were obstacles in the way. He lived in Europe and I lived in
Georgia. We did not have the luxury of a private jet to use at our
disposal. To make matters worse, he was a wealthy foreigner whose
skin was a whole lot lighter than mine. ” She smiled
sadly, as if remembering her beloved Pierre. Everyone around the
table listened intently to the story. “ He came back
stage to meet the performers and when I was introduced to him he
kissed my hand and said, “ Your mesmerizing
beauty has captured my heart, mademoiselle. ” Her smile
brightened. “ We spent the most
amazing week together. When it was time for me to leave, he said he
was in love and wanted me as his wife. Of course that was in the
sixties and at that time home was a battleground for civil rights.
There was no way in hell I could take a Frenchman home and tell my
daddy we were getting married. I told him that and walked away. I
knew I was leaving my heart in Paris, but it was the only way I
knew to protect my family from the bigotry of narrow-minded people.
It ’ s fortunate for the two of you that Pierre was a man
that believed that love conquers all. He came to Georgia and
refused to leave until I agreed to become his wife. It
didn ’ t matter that his skin was white and mine was brown.
What mattered was love. It is my hope that we instilled that in our
sons. Do not allow issues, people, or distances keep you away from
true love. For it is that kind of love that will get you through
any and all-rough times to come. ”
Most of the
occupants at the table assumed Miriam told the story to encourage
Jason and TeKaya to fight for the love they had found. But at the
end of the story Miriam looked and smiled at Siri. The impact of
the story caused a moment of self-examination for each of them.
Silence ruminated through the room. “ In 1976 no, no,
-------- “ Kerri began.
“Arghhhhh, ” Siri and TeKaya threw their hands in
the air as their mother began her story. The men began laughing
until they noticed the look on their mother ’ s face. They
both cleared their throats and sat up straight.
Kerri stared at
her daughters with the
Similar Books
