The Therapist

“Zoe, man, we know your bachelor road trip is this weekend,” Dre reminds me.

“I don’t even remember the last time I went away. This has to be epic.”

“It could have been that and then some, but you vetoed the strippers,” Matt comments.

“There’s more to life than strippers, Matt.”

“Says the guy who hasn’t felt the warmth of a vagina in decades.”

“It hasn’t been that long, but it has been a little while. But that is going to change soon. It almost went down after the engagement party. Candice is a whole different person these days. I am loving her and everything that she is transitioning into even more.”

“I was busting your chops,” Matt says. “You mean to tell me you’ve never been with this woman? Are you shitting me, Zoe?”

“Yes, I’ve been with her, Matt. We have a daughter together, or have you forgotten?”

Matt shakes his head. “You two were infants at that time. That doesn’t count.”

“Again, we needed time. She’s been through a lot. Real men take their time, even if it means a few occasions of blue balls. I love her, man, and there’s nothing you can say to make me feel differently.”

“You’re most definitely a different kind of man, Zoe,” Matt says. “Love produces a weakness for the other person, and that weakness makes women want you and want you bad. I think you might be the only one in love, because that woman still hasn’t allowed you to sniff it at least.”

“You know what, Matt?” Dre says, cutting in.

“What’s that, Dre?”

“You’re an ass,” he answers and steps away from the bar.

Following behind him, I shout his name. “Dre!”

He turns around to face me. “What’s up, Zoe? You good?”

“I am great. Nothing will change that.”

“Good! Whatever you do, don’t let that clown get under your skin. What you’re doing is commendable. It takes a real man to step up to the plate and love a woman through and past her hurt and pain and into recovery. My pops did the same for my moms, and I grew up with a father in my life because of it.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, my mom was an orphan. She was physically and verbally abused by her alcoholic foster parents. She turned to men for comfort, and as a result, she ended up with a guy, my biological father, who was twice her age. Mom had me at a young age. She was fifteen years old when she had me. She said my biological father beat on her for breathing. Long story short, she had trust issues that made it hard for her to love herself. She said she poured all her love into me. She didn’t want me to experience anything that she’d gone through. When she met Pops, it took a long while before she allowed him into her heart. He said she was worth the wait. After all that waiting, they’ll be married sixteen years next month.”

“That is definitely encouraging, Dre. Thanks for sharing.”

“No doubt, Zoe. Just make sure you court your wife even while you two are married. That’s what my parents do. They said it keeps the spice in their marriage. I hope to find a love like that one day.”

“You will. You will. I will be sure to court the hell out of my wife. I appreciate the advice, bro.”

I am looking forward to our weekend getaway. My last hurrah at singlehood. Since I have heard so much about New Orleans and have never been, the guys have planned a classic getaway. In their words, we will head to Bourbon Street, where we can party and drink out on the street. We will explore the French Quarter, and then it’s back to Bourbon Street for more partying and plenty of alcohol. Of course, Matt threw in a visit to a strip club or two, since we’ll be right there, but I vetoed that.

That talk with Dre was real. I’ve known him forever, and he’s never opened up to me like that before. I’m glad I chose him as my best man. It was a tough decision, but when I thought long and hard about it, it really wasn’t. Out of all four of the fellas—Dre, Matt, Tone, and Giovanni—Dre has been the most supportive and understanding when it comes to Candice. Especially when I moved out of my parents’ place. Dre didn’t think twice to let me crash at his place until I found my own spot.

Speaking of my parents, I am leaving the bar and am now headed to their place. Last year, when Dad grew ill, I moved them out here with me, so I can help Mom out as needed. Of course, she didn’t need any help. She just wanted me around and wanted to sneak the kids over weekly. I still haven’t shared my engagement with my dad. Either he’s with it or he’s not. Either way, Candice Brown will soon become Mrs. Alonzo DeMartini, with or without his blessing.

When I get to my parents’ place, I find my mom in the living room, reading a book.

“Hey, Mom. How’s Dad feeling?” I say as I walk in the room.

“He’s in the den, fussing at the television and smoking on those things that are literally killing him.”

After kissing her on the forehead, I head to the den. The smell of cigarette smoke hits my nostrils before I even step foot in the room. I find my dad flipping through the channels, a cigarette poised between two fingers.

“Hey, Dad. How are you feeling? You know you shouldn’t be smoking cigarettes.”

“I’ve already been handed my death sentence, so why stop now? The cancer isn’t going anywhere. I am,” he tells me. Then he gives me a funny look. “You smell like those people. Go sit over there,” he says, insulting me.

“You’d think with all that you’re going through, you’d humble yourself and not be so cruel and insulting, Dad.”

“No matter what is eating away at my body, it will not change the fact that my only son enjoys lying down and playing in the dirt with black women.”

“That’s it, Dad. I have had enough. I will not allow you to insult my fiancée anymore. If you do not have anything nice to say about her, you will not be invited to our wedding.”

“Wedding? Did you really think I’d watch my son marry a mutt? You’re a disgrace. Matter of fact, you’re no son of mine—” he says, but my mom interrupts him as she walks in the den.

“Tony, don’t be so cruel. This is our son. Our only son. I cannot take this anymore. I will walk out that door with him and never return if you do not take that back. We are going to see our son exchange vows, and you will be on your best behavior, or I will leave. I swear I will leave. My bags are still packed and at the door.”

“Settle down now, Greta. There’s no need to take things that far.”

“Apologize and talk to your son. Please!” she insists, then leaves the room.

“When I was your age or a little younger, son, I fell for one myself. She was my world.”

“What are you saying, Dad?”

“Listen to me. Back then interracial dating was a bad thing. I didn’t want you to go through what I went through, so I fought your love for that young lady.”

“What? This is insane. You’ve thrown one racial slur after the other, and you’re sitting here telling me you’ve been living a lie?”

“I wouldn’t call it that, son. It was a lot. I allowed my anger to get the best of me. For that, son, I apologize.”

“What did you go through, Dad? Does Mom know? This is all crazy as hell. How? What? I am babbling, so go on.”

“When my family learned I was dating Johnel, I was accused of dating a man. The DeMartini family was against gays and blacks. I am not sure what happened, but after dropping her off one evening, I never saw her again. To this day, I have no idea if she’s dead or alive. Do I think my family had something to do with it? Without question. I just cannot confirm it. She vanished just like that.”

“I am speechless. Dad, your family was a bunch of mobsters. You know what they did to her. This is nuts. I had no clue.”

“I was completely in the wrong, son. I took my anger out on you. It had nothing to do with you or that young lady. I ask for your forgiveness. I would be honored to attend your wedding and see my daughter and grandbabies.”

“Mom told you about them?”

“No. Her Bible has their pictures in it. I look at their pictures every day.”

“Really, Tony?” my mom says from outside the doorway, where she’d been hiding. She enters the den and practically jumps into the recliner with him.

Stuck where I stand, I stare at them, in shock.

“Greta, I apologize for putting you through living hell for all these years. I know my days are numbered, but I promise to make it up to you until I take my last breath, if you allow me to.”

I am not a crying man. Don’t get me wrong. I have shed a tear or two here and there, and right now this would be one of those times. My dad wants to meet the kids and Candice. I feel like I am in a dream. If I am, I don’t want to wake up.

* * *

I’ll admit, I think I am going to shit my pants before we get to my parents’ house. Thoughts of the past, of my dad badgering me about who he expects me to be with are eating away at me right now. I know we had a moment and he opened up after all these years. But I’m afraid he’ll close himself back up. Candice is fully aware of everything and said she can handle it.

Well, there’s no time like the present. We are here with our four babies.

“Mom, Dad? We’re here,” I announce as I walk through the front door, right behind Candice and the kids.

We are greeted by the smell of Mom’s apple pie.

“Granny,” the kids shout as they storm her when she appears in the foyer.

“Take it easy, kids,” Candice tells them.

“They’re fine. It’s good to see you again, Candice.” Tears flood Mom’s eyes. “I’ve prayed long and hard for this day.”

“Don’t cry, Granny. We will come over again,” Amiya says and squeezes her leg tighter.

“Thank heavens I didn’t wear any makeup today, with all the crying I’ve done in a matter of seconds,” Candice says as she begins to sob too.

“You don’t need it anyway. You’re beautiful without it,” Dad says as he enters the foyer. He uses his walker to move closer to where Candice is standing.

Hell, now I have tears in my damn eyes.

“I know I am probably not your favorite person, and for that, I apologize, Candice. I’ll do whatever I can to make it up to you and these beautiful babies,” Dad confesses.

“I forgive you, Mr. DeMartini. I am just glad to be here.”

“Call me Pop.” They embrace.

Thanks to the fact that I am introducing Dad to Candice and the kids, today is one of the happiest moments of my life. It can only get better from here. And it will when my beautiful bride joins me at the altar.