way out of your league

Firm Stand

Joy POV

I know everyone expects me to forgive everything Hansel and his mom did with regards to the issue with Samantha but it's not that easy for me to do.I wish someone would just get my reasons,I felt we had something good, it was like we were crossing whatever huddles we came across until Sammy appeared.She magically opened my eyes to the cracks in my relationship,and one of the cracks which I can't seem to get over is the fact that my boyfriend doesn't know when to draw the line most especially with acquaintances.As for his mom,I just don't like the racist comments she was making,like it's ok for Natalie to have a s*x tape cause she is black but not Sammy who is mixed.She was even disrespecting me and my relationship, which I can't seem to get off my mind.

I know Hansel is trying to fix this,his dad has also called to apologize on behalf of his wife but I still wonder if his mom is actually sorry cause it would be messy for me to be in a relationship where the family of my partner seem racist and really disrespectful to me.

I sat down thinking about all these while re-evaluating my relationship with my boyfriend Only to have him join be on the Couch making me sigh."Babe,I'm sorry about all the mess,I know I didn't handle it well but you were always the most important person to me even if I did an awful job showing it" he said "I get you,it's just I feel you don't enforce boundaries,I'm not stopping you from having a relationship with family friends and there could be others like Sammy that come into your life but I just need you to give me the respect of initiating and enforcing boundaries while you get in contact with them"I said "Ok,I promise I'll work on it" he replied kissing me then I continued "Also I didn't like the way your mum responded to the issue with Sammy, it's just didn't sound right to me,I really want to have a conversation with her" I said while he replied quickly"I know some of the things my mom said wasn't right but there was no malicious intent behind it trust me baby,it's just that she got so carried away trying to protect Sammy that she made some statement she shouldn't" "I just want to have a conversation with her just so we understand each other better and move forward if possible"I insisted,he was quiet for a while then he said "Fine, just give her the benefit of doubt".Setting up a meeting with Mrs James made me a little nervous cause I kept wondering if it would be a safer option to let go,I just don't want this to turn ugly.

For the next two months my boyfriend did everything to make me feel special. From dinner dates to weekend getaways to surprise gifts,I even got a car for our anniversary which had my girls tripping but that didn't last long cause Judah got Cathy a car for her birthday and he also tried getting one for his sister which she turned down.I was walking on clouds,did I mention that we got freaky in bed but then we were always that way but it was good to have things go back to the way it was except for Sammy still making a move on my man.This time she is so bold about it but we never see her physically so I could slap some sense into her thick skull.I knew I needed to have that meeting with Mrs James when she kept pushing for Hansel to unblock Sammy after he did due to her sending him her nudes and videos of her masturbating.I set up the meeting for today,and as I drove down,I kept telling myself to handle this in a classy way.

"Hey babe,have you gotten to my mom's"Hansel called asking just as arrived "Yes I actually just drove in" I replied "Remember what we discussed about,there is no malicious intent behind anything she says or do,she is just blind sided in her quest to protect Sammy, please be discreet about the way you handle this,she is still my mom and I love the both of you"he said "I promise,I would do my best,trust me baby" I replied "I do,I just don't want you to get pissed if she says something she shouldn't, just remember I love you" he said "Love you too babe,bye" I replied smiling.I walked in greeting Hansel mom,and then I noticed Sammy and his sister were there also. Great just Great."Hello Victoria,I'm so happy to see you again,how is your husband" I asked Hansel's sister "He is fine,I heard you were coming over so I decided to delay a bit before leaving, so how is my little brother,hope he isn't being an ass" she asked "He can be sometimes but I love him anyway" I replied only to hear Sammy snort "Can we just move on from the pleasantries

to the main discussion that brought you here"Mrs James said."Hello Sammy,how are you" I said "Fine,I just hope you are too cause I heard otherwise"She replied but I choose to ignore her."Well,well,well! it seems we have a full house"Mr James said as he walked in kissing my check.As we exchanged pleasantries,I checked my phone just to be sure,my boyfriend has received the message I sent,I saw his reply,with him indicating he was on his way to meet me.

"Since we are going around in circles, I'll just start things off by saying I think it's really ridiculous for you to try cutting Sammy from Hansel's life,I mean they are childhood friends and you can't destroy a relationship that has been built for years ago,I know you blocked her using Hansel's phone" Mrs James said "I would never do that,if Sammy has been blocked by Hansel then he did that himself,he is an adult and we have mutual respect for each other which means we don't go behind each other's back to do such"I said "Sammy said everything was fine with her and Hansel one minute and the next minute she had been blocked from his social media account,she called him only to realize her number has been deleted from his phone which he didn't seem aware of and a day after,her calls to his line was barred,it seems suspicious don't you think so Joy" Victoria said "I would repeat I had nothing to do with that" I said calmly even though I was pissed "Liar, that just what you are,a filthy liar,I know you are just jealous of me.You are just too insecure about our relationship" Sammy said to me but I choose to ignore her once again "Then why are you here Joy"Mrs James said "I explained the reason why I set up this meeting with you on phone,I just wanted to discuss with you privately about how the issue with Samantha and my friends was handled by you, especially about some things you said" I replied."Didn't you get what you wanted,what is there to talk about anymore"Mrs James said "Well for one,you said it was ok for my friend to keep wrongfully bearing the blame for a s*x tape she had nothing to do with when you knew it was Sammy in that tape just because you feel she is black and it's ok for her to have a s*x tape cause you feel it's ok in our community while cause Sammy is mixed,it wasn't, that statement I find distasteful and racist"I replied "Oh please"Sammy said rolling her eyes but Victoria cut in "Did you really say that mom" she asked shocked since Mrs James wasn't replying I continued "Just so you know all blacks do not have the similar characters,we are made up of individuals too,so while a particular character might be present in some,it might be absent in others,classifying all blacks by a specific character trait is unfair.inaddition to that having a s*x tape is really not a normal occurrence among blacks in general,it is also seen as distasteful and humiliating so how do you think Natalie felt when she had to endure the consequences of an act she wasn't involved in"I said.

"Did you really say that"Mr James asked his wife "I'm sure I didn't put it that way,I never meant that,I just wanted them to give Sammy a little time before letting everyone know she was the one in that tape,that's all,Sammy is also a victim here too" she replied "I thought you liked that Natalie girl,you even thought she was joy" Mr James asked "How come you had a s*x tape in the first place Sammy" Victoria asked looking lost. Sobbing Sammy said "it was all a setup,I wasn't aware I was filmed by the guy" she said "But you are cool with Melvin,even on speaking terms why are you now accusing him of filming this" I asked Sammy who paused then she began sobbing again "I don't know if he is the culprit,I just suspect him although he claims he isn't"she replied "Can you stop interrogating her like she is just a criminal" Mrs James said "I wasn't doing that Mrs James,my aim of trying to speak with you privately is just to see if you really feel that about blacks in general cause I am also a black girl too and I deserve basic respect as a human,I really want to have a good relationship with you all cause like I said before I always wanted a family like this most especially for my kids since I was raised by a single mom.I just wanted to clear this issue off"I said "I'm very sorry if you feel disrespected by what my mom said cause it's also distasteful to me but please don't be too quick to think we are all racist just because we are white,I don't agree with whatever was said but in my mom defense I would say she was so caught up in protecting Sammy that she didn't choose her words well"Victoria said while I nodded "I'm not sure I even said that"Mrs James murmured "I have apologized before and I would like to again say I'm sorry on behalf of wife,I just want us all to maintain a healthy relationship"Mr James said."What about you being insecure about my relationship with Hansel"Sammy said "You need to unblock her Joy,you have no right to do that,stop being so insecure and jealous. Sammy and Hansel are just friends" Mrs James said "Joy can we just end this with you promising to just unblock her, they are just friends"Victoria said and Mr James nodded.

"Like I said before,I never blocked Sammy on Hansel's phone,as for being just friends,Sammy has never respected the boundaries of my relationship with Hansel,she sends him sultry pictures,text and videos about herself which isn't right even though they are friends" I said frustrated "Don't raise your voice here, sprouting nonsense" Mrs James said "I would never do that,Yes I admit Hansel did flirt with me, saying he was tired of her,he wanted to break up with her but I just told him that wasn't right,I wasn't about to have an affair with him after the scandal but he kept insisting he loves me, obviously she saw this and was jealous"Sammy said and I just couldn't keep calm anymore "You are really pathetic Sammy,you must also be sick in the mind to make up this trash after the nudes you sent him"I replied "is that why you blocked her,did my son tell you he was complaining, obviously he is developing feeling for Sammy and you are jealous you can't keep his attention, it's ok to move on Joy"Mrs James said just as I heard my boyfriend voice "Are you f*****g serious Mom,is this the private meeting you are suppose to have with my girlfriend,why does it feel like this is an interrogation,and what is this nonsense about Samantha"Hansel said walking in and pulling me to his side,at this point I was already exhausted and tears was already blurring my vision. kissing me Hansel whispered "It's ok baby,I've got this" Sammy quickly cut in saying "Hansel we were asking why Joy blocked me,she blocked me on all your social media account and your line,we aren't doing anything wrong but she is still so insecure" she concluded sobbing but my boyfriend cut her off pushing her away from him saying "How could I be so stupid to believe anything you say all this while you slut,we have nothing between us,we aren't even friends,for f**k sake with this attitude you are displaying,I don't even know who you are"

"Hansel dear, don't say that about her, she already told us of how you guys were getting along,I won't blame you if you developed feelings for her"Mrs James said "Wow! mom are you serious, didn't I tell you I want nothing to do with this b***h before,why would I flirt with someone I don't even know,why would I trade something special for trash like her please tell me.Talking about flirting please check your phones,I just send you all her nudes she send me,I'm about to send you the video of her m**********g she sent to me" Hansel said while on his phone "Oh no! You are really,disgusting Sammy"Victoria said after seeing the video "Son you didn't have to send me this,it scarring"his Dad replied "What! Sammy you didn't,did you" his mom said turning to Sammy who just sobbed "I'm sorry about this mess Joy,I really am,I just hope we can meet in a more favourable circumstances next time,I've had enough for one day"Victoria said before hugging and pecking Hansel "bye mom and dad,your life is one big mess little brother,sort it out"she concluded "Your six years older than me, that doesn't make me little Vicky"he said "Shut up,kiddo"she said walking out.

"This is all a misunderstanding,please Hansel,don't let her separate us"Sammy said sobbing "She didn't do anything to us cause there is no us,I don't know you and I don't like you,As for blocking you,I did that myself cause I don't want any contact with you and I am now more convinced that I made the right decision, stay the f**k away from me Sammy else I'll be getting a restraining order" he said "You don't mean that,I love you Hansel" Sammy cried histerically but my boy friend shoved her off.Mr James saw her out after calling a cab to pick her up.

After she left Hansel turned to his mom saying "I've had enough mom,you've done enough,you almost ruined my happiness.I don't want to have anything to do with you for now cause I don't trust you right now.Dont call or contact me"his dad cut him off saying "Son isn't that too harsh, it's all a misunderstanding caused by Sammy, it's clear now that we don't know her anymore" "I'm so sorry Hansel,I really am, I'm sorry about everything Joy, please believe me, don't cut me off please" his mom said but Hansel cut her off to continue "I just need space from you so my girlfriend and I can heal, please give us space mom,stay away from us for now please"Hansel said pulling me away from the house.

When we got home I tried talking to my boyfriend in a quest to change his mind but he wasn't ready to talk about it so I dropped it for now.