Free Southern Gossip: A Complicated Love Story by Tiece

anyway.”
     
    “Good,” she commented. “So is that a new wallet?”
     
    A’keem smiled because as long as he could remember, his mother never skipped a beat on anything too funny. “Yes ma’am,” he said hurriedly tucking it away. “You like it?”
     
    “As a matter of fact I do. Your father needs one. Where did you get it?”
     
    A’keem grinned to himself, but kept his composure. “I didn’t buy this. A female did.” He explained.
     
    “Oh really,” she said with a smile.
     
    A’keem laughed. “Aren’t you a nosey lil sum? You’re starting to remind me of Mama Gray.” He teased making Mrs. Gray laugh out loud. It was always good to hear his mom’s laughter, because that was only seen behind closed doors amongst the family. In public she was sweet, but very stern, and all about her business. She only smiled if she meant it, good or bad.
     
    “So who is this female?”
     
    He looked over at her. “Regina,” he confirmed.
     
    “Aaaah, I see… the city girl.” She responded.
     
    He smiled. “Yes the city girl. I know how you feel about me dating a girl from the city.”
     
    “You should,” she said remembering how one of them destroyed his father’s truck and the other destroying his car. 
     
    “I can’t help that these girls are crazy about me.” He teased. “But seriously mom, not all city girls are crazy like that.”

    “Look, if it’s a city or a country girl I wouldn’t care which one you end up with. I just want you to find love and settle down. It’s time baby.” She looked at him. “You’re twenty-six years old. Your father and I have been together for thirty-three full years. However, at eighteen years of age, I was going off to college and your father still wanted to explore and enjoy life. Even though we were officially dating, the fights and arguments lasted for at least five years over unnecessary things and other women.”
     
    “One woman in particular, Denise Kent,” A’keem added.
     
    “Yes, that one woman in particular.” She concurred, “But there were others. Anyway, I’d gotten pregnant with your brother when I was twenty-three. I was fresh out of college with my Bachelor’s degree. Then four months later, I found out that I was pregnant with you. Crazy right?” she softly grinned. “Well, since I was still putting in work towards my Doctorate and your father did love me; he decided to marry me before you were born.”
     
    “Nothing against Ms. Denise, but I’m glad that he chose you.”
     
    “Hm,” she smiled. “Your father and I have been married for a long time. I just want you to find a wife and be with her even longer.”
     
    “I know mom.”
     
    “So do you really like this Regina girl? Obviously, she’s feeling you. That wallet is priced at around three-hundred dollars.”
     
    He grinned. “I do like her a lil bit.” He admitted.
     
    “That’s good to know,” she said feeling like as long as it wasn’t Jada then she was cool with it. She didn’t want to remain on the subject too long so she moved on. “I’m thinking of buying your father a wallet like that for his birthday.”
     
    “That’s over a month away.” A’keem said.
     
    “I know, but it’ll be here before we know it. I can’t wait to see his face when we surprise him with the party I have planned.”
     
    A’keem smiled. “You’ve been planning this party since his last birthday.”
     
    “It has to be perfect… I mean, he’s only the Mayor of this city and the most loving husband and nurturing father in the world.” She stated even showing her pretty white teeth at times.
     
    A’keem leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I hope to marry someone just like you someday. I also hope that she’s as pretty as you, too.”
     
    Mrs. Gray smiled at his sweet compliment. “Son, I don’t know who Regina is and I’ve only met her once, but if you find happiness with her then so be it. She’s a city girl and so was I. We’re both