Their Redemption

3: Objections

Ronnie

Tonight was so perfect. I always wanted a man that would wine and dine me. Well for now, just the dine part because I’m only eighteen. Malcolm is sweet, handsome and funny. He’s everything I hope to have in a man and it seems he has a little money, too. I couldn’t see the exact cost for our date, but I know it was over $100 and he gave the waiter a nice $20 tip. I can’t wait to get to know him more.

I know it was our first date and I barely know him, but I can’t stop smiling. I grinned the entire drive back home. It felt right to tell him about my dreams and aspirations. I know my mom hates I don’t want to go to college. Derek has already bought me a car, even though I refuse to drive it. If I go to college, Derek’s money will pay for my tuition and other financial expenses, and I don’t want him holding that over my head.

Mama also doesn’t like the fact that I want to learn how to pole dance because she thinks I want to become a stripper or something. I just think it’ll be sexy and if I ever strip, it would be for my man and not for money. I’m hoping my man will be Malcolm. He said he would teach me the ropes. We’ve only had one date and he’s already trying to help me achieve my goals. That’s sexy and I like it. I get home. I walk in the door, still smiling. Before I can text Malcolm that I’m home, my mother greets me.

“So… how did it go,” mama excitedly asks.

I can see Derek stretching his neck in the living room, so I motion for her to follow me to my room.

“Okay, first off, this dress was perfect! I practically made Malcolm salivate when he saw me.”

“I knew it was a good choice and I knew you’d look good in it. So, tell me what was he like? Where did you go?”

“We went to The Capital Grille.”

“Oo, that’s expensive,” she says.

“Oh, he looked so good. He had on a black dress polo and black dress pants. The shirt fit tight, so I could really tell how athletic he is. I saw all his muscles. He told me a little about himself. He’s twenty-six and he has a master's degree in business –”

“He’s how old,” my mother interrupts me.

“Twenty-six.”

“Hell no, Shay.”

“What do you mean no? Mama, I’m eighteen! It’s not like I’m not legal.”

“He’s eight years older than you!”

“So? You’re older than Derek!”

“By three years, not eight! I don’t approve of this Lashay,” she says firmly.

“I bet if you meet him, you’ll like him.”

“You’ve only had one date with him. How will you know if I will like him? You don’t even know him yourself!”

She was cool with everything before she knew his age. She even said he’ll make a good provider in the future. Now all of a sudden she’s skeptical of him. She’s being so unbelievable right now.

“Tonight won’t be our only date. He already wants to take me on another,” I say.

“I don’t know about him. We need to meet. I want my little girl to be with a good man and not a predator.”

Predator? She just went way left saying he’s a predator.

“He’s not a predator,” I contend. “He didn’t mention anything s****l or suggest anything s****l tonight. I’ll ask him to meet you. We were supposed to plan a second date after I got home, but I’m sure we can arrange for you two to meet. I want to see him again and I also want your support on this, ma.”

I really need her support and approval. She takes my hand and sighs. I know it’s the motherly instinct to object to her 18–year–old daughter being with a man eight years older than her. However, she was genuinely happy when I walked through the door smiling.

“I want you to be happy, sweetie,” she exhales. “But I also don’t want you to get hurt. You’re my only little girl. You mean so much to me. I want to meet him and if I like my initial interaction with him, I will support it. And even if I don’t,” she sighs, “I’ll still support it, if it means you’re happy.”

That’s a relief to hear her say that. She will like him, I think. I won’t even bother texting him. I’ll call him. He wastes no time answering the phone and he sounds so happy I called.

“Heyy. I know I was supposed to text but I called for two reasons. One: I really wanted to hear your voice again.”

There’s no need to lie. I can listen to him talk all night with that sexy voice of his.

“You like my voice, huh,” he teases seductively with extra bass and smoothness. “Oh, I get it. You want me to sing for you?”

That seductive tone he used warmed me up a little. Good thing I’m not in front of him because I’d probably be weak in the knees. I can only imagine how he would look at me when he said it. He clears his throat to sing.

“God please no, don’t sing,” I laugh and I hear him laughing as well. “Second and more seriously, I was wondering if you could maybe come over to my house tomorrow.”

He seems surprised that I asked him that. I explain that my mother doesn’t like the fact that he’s twenty-six and I want them to meet.

“That’s no problem,” he voices. “Maybe afterwards we can have a second date.”

“Okay. Let’s do that. I’ll text you my address and what time to come.”

“Alright, my little Roni. I’m glad you made it home safe and I’m glad you called me. Can’t wait to see you again. Have a good night, beautiful,” he says.

“Can’t wait to see you, either. Good night, handsome,” I say before hanging up.

I go to the bathroom and take off the dress and makeup. After putting on some PJs, I take my mother back her dress and tell her the plan.

“So, I talked to Malcolm and he’s agreed to come here to meet you tomorrow before our second date. He’s waiting for me to give him a time and our address.”

“Okay,” mama responds after taking her dress. “I’d like to meet him in the afternoon. Maybe around two something? That way you have a little time for your date and you can make it back in time to get some rest for work Monday morning.”

“I’ll text him that in the morning. I’m going to bed now. I love you, mama,” I say as I hug her.

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

After peaking into Dory’s room, I see he’s already asleep, so I go to my room and prepare to go to sleep. I hope tomorrow goes well because I look forward to getting closer to Malcolm.