Free This Time Forever by Adrienne Williams Page A

car, her stomach felt fluttery.  She calmed herself and pulled out into the street.  She arrived at Sylvia’s without a minute to spare.  She did a quick check of her reflection in the rearview mirror before going into the restaurant.   When she arrived, she saw that Lena had already been seated and that Kayla was sitting at the table talking with her.  When Lena saw Renee she said “You are as beautiful as ever.”  Renee suddenly felt like a shy teenage girl.  She gathered  herself quickly and said, “Lena, no one is as beautiful as you are.”  She truly meant that.  Lena’s dark skin was smooth and taut, her eyes and smile were as bright as ever, and her figure was still trim and fit.  Her hair, though now mostly gray, was still thick and beautifully curly.  “It’s no wonder that you and Elliott have such beautiful children, Renee.”  Kayla stood up and smiled at her grandmother and mother.  “I am going to check out your new boutique and that dress shop across the street from it.  Is it okay if I come back in about an hour?”   Renee took a deep breath and told her that would be fine if it was okay with Lena.  They all agreed.  “Oh, before you go and before I forget, I want to take a picture of you two,” Lena said as she took her camera from her purse.   Before she could protest, Lena was already standing there ready to take the picture.  She and Kayla smiled for the camera as Lena snapped the picture.   Lena then asked one of the waitstaff to take a picture of the three of them.   After their photo shoot, Kayla left and Lena and Renee were left to chat.  “I’m so glad that you could join me today, Renee.  I had the sinking feeling that perhaps you would not be able to on such short notice.”  Renee said “I must admit that I was surprised, but pleasantly so, Lena.  No need to thank me.”  They exchanged a few more pleasantries before ordering salads.  Lena finally said, “You know this was such a surprise, albeit a very pleasant surprise for all of us, right.”  Renee almost choked on her sip of water at Lena’s bluntness.  She had forgotten that when Lena had something to say, she just said it without mincing words.   “Yes, I’m sure it was, or is.  I don’t have any excuses.”  Lena could see that Renee was getting upset and she had not wanted to upset her.  “Please tell me what happened.  You and Elliott were so close.  Ben and I thought you two would marry at some point, but then you left so quickly and without very much explanation.”  They sat in silence for a moment and Lena said “I remember you called after you went away.  Is this what you wanted to tell Elliott?”  Renee took a deep breath.  She explained to Lena about how her mother, Maggie, had practically thrown her out when she found out that she was pregnant.  She told her that her dad, Dennis and his sister had helped her, that Dennis divorced Maggie and remarried.   “She took it very personally, Lena.  As if I had done something to purposefully bring her down.  She made it all about her.”  Lena sat in silence for a while before she spoke again.  “Renee, trust me, I do know about how much influence a mother can have over her children.  Having heard this now puts things into perspective for me.   When Elliott told us about Kayla and Matt, he was a mixed bag of emotions.  He was happy to find out he has children, but he feels that you kept them from him without cause.”  Renee could barely face Lena.  “I know he hates me and I can’t blame him.”  “He doesn’t hate you.  He’s just going to have to sort through things at his own pace.”  Lena asked Renee about her life in New York, her job, and of course Kayla and Matt.  Despite its initial awkwardness, their lunch turned out to be very nice.  Renee was getting ready to pay the bill when the waitress brought it to the table.  Lena took it from her and said, “I’m paying.  I invited you to