Free I Like 'Em Pretty by Triad Literary

Rhoda a hug.
    “ Ah, such great news!
Maybe we could have a double wedding, hmm?” Alexander patted Nick
on the back.
    “ That would be a romantic
fairy tale, wouldn’t it?” Sharnette grinned at her friend and they
embraced.
    “ Well, it’s about time the
two of you stopped sinnin’ and did it the proper way,” Lorna
scoffed and gazed lovingly at her future son-in-law.
    “ Ma, you don’t need to be
so nasty to my friends, okay?”
    “ Oh, it’s all right, babe.
We can take it. We’re real happy sinners over here.” Sharnette rolled her
neck and clasped her man’s hand.
    “ Oh boy…well… my folks
should be here any moment so… um…”
    “ And I can’t wait ‘til
they are.” Rhoda held onto her man and their foreheads
met.
    “ They’ll love you Rhoda,
you’ll see.”
    “ Hope so. I am, however,
marrying their only son. Ma, is Moira gonna make it over here in
time for dinner?”
    “ I guess so, child. You
know your sis is always on the go with that modeling job of hers. I
really wish she’d get a real career like yours and stop travelin’ the world, hanging
out with all these…crazy folks!” She glared in the other couple’s
direction.
    Rhoda shook her head and
Nick grasped her shoulders to stop her from saying anything. She
glanced over at Sharnette and Alexander who just walked out of the
kitchen, not saying anything in response. One thing about Lorna
Maire, she’d always let you know her feelings on things. Rhoda felt
she needed to at least inform her mother to watch her
tongue.
    “ Mom, I’d really appreciate it if
you’d keep your personal opinions of the modeling world to
yourself. Besides that, I dunno what you have against my best
friend…”
    “ Honey, don’t tell me what
to say! Those models are into drugs, alcohol, some of them same sex
relations, which I’m Sharnette knows a lot about since she writes
that garbage! Don’t think I haven’t been paying attention.” She
rolled her neck.
    “ Mum, my mother was a
model and Da is a photographer. Now they’ve been happily married
almost thirty years and neither has ever had any problems with
drugs or drinking. I’d appreciate if you didn’t jump to conclusions
about the world I pretty much grew up in.” Nicholas presented his
case without malice. Rhoda loved him even more at that
moment.
    “ I suppose, son-in-law to
be. Sharnette has always been a bad influence on my baby, ya know?
She took her places she wasn’t supposed to be. I’ve seen some of
her book covers.”
    “ Have you read ‘em,
Momma?” Rhoda had to ask since it seemed Nick calmed her
down.
    “ Naw, girl, but some of
them others in the church have heard about ‘em. All that stuff is
the devil’s way of trappin’ folks, honey. Don’t ya forget that.”
She pointed her finger in a telling way.
    “ Momma, you’re gonna be
around Sharnette and her man a lot. I suggest you learn to like ‘em
more. That’s my best friend and I won’t be getting rid of ‘em
because you feel she’s bad news.”
    Lorna sighed and rolled her
eyes. “All right, fine, baby. I’ll try. Might have to douse myself
in holy water afterwards but—”
    “ Ma!”
    Nick laughed and patted her
on the shoulder. “Mum, they’re good people. You’ll be fine. Do this
for me and Rhoda, hmm?”
    “ Yes, son, I will.” She
grinned and hugged Nick tightly, pressing a kiss on his
cheek.
    While they embraced, Rhoda
watched her mom and Nick get along just fine and hoped the same
would be true for Mr. and Mrs. Fairlight when they
arrived.
    Something told Rhoda they’d
be just fine once they noticed how much in love she was with their
son. And boy, was she. She couldn’t recall the last time any man
made her this happy. The doctor fulfilled all her expectations and
more.
    If only they’d met a
little sooner, then all the loneliness could’ve been avoided.
Thankfully, it appeared Rhoda Maire would get her romantic happily
ever after with the prettiest man she’d ever laid eyes